Agatha Christie's Sven Hjerson goes into production

TV

Agatha Christie's Sven Hjerson goes into production

A brand new mystery series set within the fictional universe created by Agatha Christie has started production in Sweden.

Agatha Christie's Sven Hjerson is the first ever adaptation to be based on the fictional detective of Agatha Christie's fictional crime writer Ariadne Oliver, who, Christie admitted, bears certain similarities to herself. Ariadne's Nordic detective, Sven Hjerson, loves crudités, cold winter baths and solving murder mysteries.

The show is a thrilling, playful whodunnit with a contemporary twist. Former criminal investigator Sven Hjerson has solved some of the toughest cases in Swedish crime history. Now retired from the limelight, living on the fringes of society, his life mainly consists of daily routines, a vegan diet, vinyl record collecting and an unhealthy appetite for gossip. We follow Sven through 21st century Stockholm and the islands of Åland as he solves murder mysteries, together with original character creation Klara Sandberg, a television reality show producer.

Klara is living with her partner Niklas and their daughter Olivia. Her career has come to a halt and she is desperately looking for something new – isn’t there more to life than this? She succeeds in pitching a major tv show starring Hjerson, which could be the solution to all her problems. There is just one small obstacle: she has never met Hjerson…

Master detective Sven Hjerson will be played by acclaimed Swedish actor Johan Rheborg, and his partner Klara will be played by Hanna Alström (Sameblod, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Ted – In the Name of Love). The TV series began shooting on the island of Åland on December 8th and filming will wrap by April 2021.

James Prichard, Chairman and CEO of Agatha Christie Limited and great grandson of Agatha Christie, said: ”This series breaks new ground for us. We are so proud to be working with TV4, BR.F and partners to bring Agatha Christie’s Sven Hjerson to life in this way. The world and the stories that have been created feel authentically Agatha Christie and we look forward to following Sven and Klara on their journey."

Johan Rheborg, playing Sven, said: "Agatha Christie’s Sven Hjerson loves fancy clothes, has a soft spot for redheads and specific record collections, and prefers a diet of crudités. He is a true anglophile and a loner. I am still in the process of getting to know him, each day uncovers something new about him. His character is slowly taking shape, but it is a most pleasant experience."

The show comprises four classic whodunnit murder cases and will be broadcast as four films x 88 minutes and as a TV series of 8 episodes x 44 min in early autumn 2021.

Josefine Tengblad, Head of Drama, TV4/C More, said: "Getting an opportunity to turn parts of Agatha Christies literary universe into a tv series is such a privilege. It is a great challenge and I am very proud of us having been entrusted with this project, something which has never been done in the world of television before. With an amazing team both behind and in front of the camera we are going to create a contemporary whodunnit. In times like these I believe that we need to be entertained and seek escapism in things part recognizable, part innovative more than ever, the classic whodunnit in a brand new way!"

Frank Seyberth, Co-commissioner/Executive Producer, ZDF, said: "ZDF is stunned to be partnering on this exciting new show. It is unique as well as universal due to the combination of the vital DNA of the Agatha Christie universe with a very contemporary Scandinavian appeal. In that sense we are very delighted about our fruitful relationship with TV4/C More and BR•F. We are sure that the audience will fall in love with the great cast and enjoy this missing link of modern crime very much."

Ulf Synnerholm and Patrik Andersson, producers at BR•F, said: "To be given the trust to create the missing piece of the puzzle in merging Nordic noir with the legendary legacy of Agatha Christie, is nothing but an enormous honour."

The show is produced by Patrik Andersson and Ulf Synnerholm at BR•F for TV4/CMore, in co-production with ZDF, Nadcon and the Government of Åland and in close collaboration with ZDF Enterprises and Agatha Christie Ltd . Agatha Christie’s deal with BR•F was brokered by Alison Rayson of Raydar Media. The series is produced with support from Nordisk Film & TV-fond. It is created and developed by Patrik Gyllström at BR•F and written by Patrik Gyllström, Björn Paqualin, Jakob Beckman, Martin Luuk and Aron Levander. The show is directed by Lisa James Larsson and Lisa Farzaneh.

Johann Rheborg as Sven Hjerson. Photo by Johann Paulin (c) TV4 and C More
Photo by Johann Paulin (c) TV4 and C More