Wallander (2005)
The landmark Swedish crime drama that brought Henning Mankell's brooding detective Kurt Wallander to life across three compelling seasons.
Wallander - Series Information
- Original Title: Wallander
- First Air Year: 2005
- Last Air Year: 2013
- Created by: Henning Mankell
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Mystery, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 89 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 32
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Swedish
- Spoken Languages: Swedish
- First Air Date: January 14, 2005 (United States - TV-MA), January 14, 2005 (Canada - 14+), January 14, 2005 (Germany - 12), January 14, 2005 (France - 10), January 14, 2005 (Australia - M), January 14, 2005 (Brazil - 16), January 14, 2005 (Mexico - B)
- Networks: TV4
- Production Companies: Yellow Bird, TV4, Film i Skåne, Danmarks Radio (DR), Canal+
- Production Countries: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway
Wallander - Plot
Wallander is a Swedish television series adapted from Henning Mankell's Kurt Wallander novels and starring Krister Henriksson in the title role. The 1st series of 13 films was produced in 2005 and 2006, with one taken directly from a novel and the remainder with new storylines suggested by Mankell. The 2nd series of 13 films was shown between 2009 and 2010. The stories are set in Ystad near the southern tip of Sweden. The three films Before the Frost, Mastermind, and The Secret were premiered in cinemas, with the rest first released as direct-to-DVD movies. The first episode of the second series, Hämnden, was released in Swedish cinemas in January 2009; the rest of the series was made for television. The BBC aired all 26 episodes of the Swedish television versions on BBC Four. A third and final season, containing six 90 minute episodes, will air in 2013 with Charlotta Jonsson as Linda Wallander. The first episode, adapted from the novel The Troubled Man, was released in cinemas in January 2013.
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Wallander - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Henning Mankell
Main Cast
- Krister Henriksson
- Mats Bergman
- Fredrik Gunnarsson
- Douglas Johansson
- Marianne Mörck
- Stina Ekblad
- Johanna Sällström
- Ola Rapace
- Lena Endre
- Göran Aronsson
Writers
- Henning Mankell
- Stephan Apelgren
- Lovisa Milles
- Stefan Thunberg
- Lars Lundström
Executive Producers
- Ole Søndberg
- Åsa Sjöberg
- Anni Faurbye Fernandez
- Mikael Wallen
- Peter Bose
Wallander - FAQs
Where can you stream Wallander online?
Wallander is available to stream via MZ Choice Amazon Channel and can also be purchased on Amazon Video. Availability may vary by region. Visit JustWatch to compare all current streaming and purchase options for Wallander in your country.
Is the Swedish Wallander different from the BBC version?
Yes. The Swedish Wallander stars Krister Henriksson and is set in Ystad, Sweden, closely reflecting Mankell's original novels. The BBC version, starring Kenneth Branagh, is a British adaptation filmed partly in Sweden. Both are based on the same source material but differ in tone, cast, and production style.
Is Wallander based on a true story?
No, Wallander is not based on a true story. The character Kurt Wallander and his cases are fictional creations of Swedish crime author Henning Mankell. However, the series is set in the real Swedish town of Ystad, which has embraced its association with the fictional detective.
Who plays Kurt Wallander in the Swedish series?
Krister Henriksson plays Kurt Wallander in the Swedish television series. The supporting cast includes Mats Bergman, Fredrik Gunnarsson, Douglas Johansson, Marianne Mörck, Stina Ekblad, Johanna Sällström, Ola Rapace, Lena Endre, and Göran Aronsson.
How many seasons and episodes does Wallander have?
The Swedish Wallander ran for three seasons totalling 32 episodes. Season 1 and Season 2 each contain 13 episodes, while the third and final season comprises 6 feature-length episodes of approximately 90 minutes each, concluding the series in 2013.
When did the Swedish Wallander series first air?
The Swedish Wallander series first aired on January 14, 2005, on TV4 in Sweden. The show ran until 2013, when its third and final season concluded. The BBC later broadcast all 26 episodes of the first two seasons on BBC Four for international audiences.
What is the Wallander TV series about?
Wallander follows Kurt Wallander, a brooding Swedish detective based in Ystad, as he investigates complex and often disturbing criminal cases. Adapted from Henning Mankell's novels, the series explores themes of social decay, moral ambiguity, and the psychological toll of police work in contemporary Sweden.
Did the Swedish Wallander series win any awards?
The Swedish Wallander series received considerable critical acclaim and earned recognition at various Scandinavian television awards. It is widely regarded as a landmark of Nordic noir television, praised for its atmospheric storytelling, strong performances, and faithful adaptation of Henning Mankell's celebrated crime novels.
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