Netflix Orders Young Wallander Crime Drama

Netflix has ordered six-part crime drama Young Wallander, about the early years of iconic detective Kurt Wallander, from Yellow Bird UK who produced the 2008 BBC adaptation of Henning Mankell’s novels starring Kenneth Branagh.

Set in contemporary Sweden, the series follows Kurt Wallander as he investigates his first case. The story focuses on Kurt’s formative experiences, at both a personal and professional level, as a recently graduated police officer in his early twenties.

Netflix Head of International Originals, Erik Barmack, said: “The Wallander novels have sold 40 million copies and been translated into over 40 different languages, while still being true and authentic to the Swedish noir that Mankell helped create.”

“The series created by Yellow Bird have also been fantastic global and local successes. Netflix is thrilled to continue this tradition and add new layers to the fantastic legacies that Mankell and Yellow Bird have created.”

Yellowbird UK Creative Director, Berna Levin, added: “Getting to meet Wallander as a young man and explore how the times and his new experiences will shape him to eventually become the man we already know and love is a thrilling opportunity.”

Young Wallander will be filmed in English but features both a British and Swedish cast. Production begins in 2019.