Viaplay Sets Börje Salming Series

Swedish ice hockey star Börje Salming is getting the biopic treatment for Viaplay, with Valter Skarsgård set to star as the athlete, who in 2017 was named one of the 100 greatest NHL players in history.

The English-language series about Salming’s journey from his childhood north of the Arctic Circle to becoming the first Swedish player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame is being directed by Amir Chamdin (Partisan), with a script penned by Martin Bengtsson. Produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production, filming begins next year.

Filippa Wallestam, NENT Group’s chief content officer, noted, “Börje Salming’s sporting achievements rank with fellow Swedish superstars Björn Borg and Ronnie Peterson. Today, when 10 percent of NHL players come from Sweden, it’s easy to forget that Europeans were once thought too weak for this unforgiving competition. This is a story of remarkable talent, athleticism and perseverance that deserves an international streaming audience. On his 70th birthday, we hope this launch is a fitting homage to the man known simply as ‘The King.’”

“It’s flattering and exciting that my story will become a series,” said Salming. “When we began discussing this project, I reflected over everything that’s happened in my life, from taking care of myself at a young age after my father passed away, to the journey from Kiruna to the NHL, and I realized there’s a lot of screen potential there. It will be really exciting to see the show when it’s ready.”