Icelandic Heroine Stella Blómkvist Heads To Viaplay

Sagafilm’s new six-part drama Stella Blómkvist, starring Heida Reed (Poldark) and directed by Óskar Thór Axelsson (Trapped), has been picked up by Nordic streaming service Viaplay as part of their push into original programming.

The Stella Blómkvist novels follow a hard-nosed lawyer who takes on mysterious murder cases and delves into the murky waters of Icelandic politics. The first book by the pseudonymous Stella Blomkvist, The Murder in the Ministry, will form the basis for the first series.

Jóhann Ævar Grímsson, head writer for the series told Variety: “She manages, somehow, to be the detective and the femme fatale in one package – she has that life-weariness and sexiness, combined in one character. She has flexible morality, she’s clever, she’s ruthless, she’s very witty – she’s a person who is navigating through the world on her own.”

“She’s in it for the money, but she has this one niggling problem – she has a conscience and a soft spot for the underdog. She’s kinda like Sam Spade, with a law degree and sexuality. We’re very proud of Stella, and we’re looking forward to introducing her to the world.”

The first series is currently filming in Reykjavik. To date, there are eight Stella Blómkvist books, and there are plans to adapt the others if the first is well received.