C More To Adapt Evil Jan Guillou Novel

C More has announced Evil (Ondskan), a six-part adaptation of the classic novel by Jan Guillou about violence and forbidden love at a boarding school for troubled teenagers. It was previously adapted for the big screen in 2003 by director Mikael Håfström.

The series follows 16-year-old Erik (sac Calmroth) who is used to violence, both at home and in school. When he is expelled from his school in Stockholm due to his violent behaviour, he is transferred to the boarding school Stjernsberg. This is Erik’s last chance to continue his schooling and break with his previous life. But at Stjernsberg, the violence is worse than at home. There, evil is put in a system disguised as “peer education” of the younger students that is sanctioned by the school.

While on the train to Stjernsberg, Erik meets Marja (Thea Sofie Loch Naess), who works as a cook at the boarding school. Her self-assurance and strength captivate Erik completely. All contact between staff and students is strictly prohibited and ends with immediate expulsion. Despite this risk of expulsion, they cannot help but start a secret relationship, but it is not just Marja who opened her eyes to Erik at school. Can Erik stop generations of violence and choose another path?

Producer, Tobias Åström, said: “We aim to create a series that brings out the close and strong emotions and at the same time is a great and rich story. We are convinced that this description of violence and oppression is relevant today, but we also want to investigate the possibility of other methods than violence to combat violence. Further, we will show how the school’s violent structures undermines a young flourishing, but forbidden love affair, but also highlight how the two manage to influence each other to break free from the negative patterns they are stuck in.”

C More Director of Nordic Drama, Piodor Gustafsson, said: “Jan Guillou’s novel Evil is constantly relevant, perhaps more now than in a very long time. Breaking violent behaviours requires great individual courage. Examining and questioning masculinity is our responsibility. The series Evil does just that, but it is also a beautiful love story and, in the end, there is hope. “

Evil begins filming this week in Vilnius, Lithuania and is slated to premiere on C More in 2023.