Major new venture by TV4/C More: Agatha Christie’s Sven Hjerson

Never before has Sven Hjerson, the fictional detective of Agatha Christie’s fictional writer Ariadne Oliver, been committed to the screen; but now, for the first time, a production of BR • F in close collaboration with Agatha Christie Ltd, commissioned by TV4/C More will bring this meta adaptation to life.

– 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! says Josefine Tengblad, Head of Drama, TV4/C More

Ariadne Oliver is a mystery crime writer who appears in a number of Agatha Christie novels, and who, according to Agatha Christie, bears certain similarities to herself. Ariadne has her own master detective: Sven Hjerson who loves crudités, cold winter baths and solving murder mysteries. Sven Hjerson is played by none other than Johan Rheborg.

–  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, says, Johan Rheborg, actor.

Synopsis Agatha Christie’s Sven Hjerson
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. 

Reality show producer Klara Sandberg is living with partner Niklas and their daughter Olivia. Her career has come to a halt and she is desperately looking for something new – wasn’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…

Klara Sandberg is played by Hanna Alström, acclaimed actress from films and tv series such as: Sameblod, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Ted – In the Name of Love among others.

– This series breaks new ground for us. We are so proud to be working with TV4/C More, 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, says James Prichard, Chairman and CEO of Agatha Christie Ltd and great grandson of Agatha Christie.

– 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, says Frank Seyberth, Head of Coproduction International Fiction, ZDF.

Agatha Christie’s Sven Hjerson 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 minutes in the early fall of 2021.

– 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, says Ulf Synnerholm and Patrik Andersson, producers, BR•F

Agatha Christie’s Sven Hjerson is produced by Patrik Andersson and Ulf Synnerholm at BR•F for TV4/C More, 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. Agatha Christie’s Sven Hjerson is created and developed by Patrik Gyllström at BR•F and is written by Patrik Gyllström, Björn Paqualin, Jakob Beckman, Martin Luuk and Aron Levander. Agatha Christie’s Sven Hjerson is directed by Lisa James Larsson and Lisa Farzaneh.

About C More, TV4 and ventures in drama
The high-quality content that TV4 and C More are delivering to viewers and users makes us more relevant now than ever before. In an era when everyone watches on their own terms, we are creating content and services that move and engage – and that bring Sweden together. 

TV4 and C More are caught up in an expansive venture in Swedish drama and have during the past year premiered new original productions including Ture Sventon och Bermudatriangelns hemlighet [“Ture Sventon and the secret of the Bermuda Triangle”], Bröllop, begravning och dop [“A Wedding, Funeral & A Christening”] and Hamilton [“Agent Hamilton”]. The content portfolio also includes classic brands and audience favourites such as Solsidan [“The Sunny Side”], Gåsmamman [“Mother Goose”] and Beck.

BR•F
Formed in Sweden in 1995, BR•F (B-Reel Films) is a fully independent award-winning production company with offices in Stockholm and Los Angeles. By way of our producers in Europe and in the U.S., we thrive on cultivating a broad slate of projects across the film, television, narrative and documentary space. BR•F films have over the years won numerous acclaimed awards like the Emmys and the European Film Award and have produced among others, projects like "Midsommar", "I am Greta", "Goliath", "Before we Die", "Euphoria" and "Kung Fury 2". 

Agatha Christie Limited
Agatha Christie Limited (ACL) has been managing the literary and media rights to Agatha Christie's works around the world since 1955. Collaborating with the very best talents in film, television, publishing, stage and on digital platforms ACL ensures that Christie’s work continues to reach new audiences in innovative ways and to the highest standard. The company is managed by Christie’s great grandson James Prichard.

For press inquiries, please contact:
Johanna Strand
johanna.strand@kultpr.se
+46 707 32 73 66