Viaplay To Dramatise Career Of NHL Legend Börje Salming
Viaplay has announced that its latest original will be an English language drama charting the career of Swedish ice hockey legend Börje Salming who rose from humble roots north of the Arctic Circle to become an NHL legend. Valter Skarsgård (Arn) is confirmed for the title role, whose most recent series for NENT Group, `Partisan’, was awarded Best Series at Canneseries 2020.
The first Swedish player inducted into the prestigious Hockey Hall of Fame, Börje Salming broke numerous records, captured the hearts of millions of fans and paved the way for countless Europeans to forge careers in the NHL. Salming played over 1,100 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs across 16 seasons (1973-1989) and in 2017 was named one of the 100 greatest NHL players in history.
Börje Salming said: “It’s flattering and exciting that my story will become a series. When we began discussing this project, I reflected over everything that’s happened in my life, from taking care of myself at a young age after my father passed away, to the journey from Kiruna to the NHL, and I realised there’s a lot of screen potential there. It will be really exciting to see the show when it’s ready.”
Viaplay Chief Content Officer, Filippa Wallestam, added: “Today, when 10% of NHL players come from Sweden, it’s easy to forget that Europeans were once thought too weak for this unforgiving competition. This is a story of remarkable talent, athleticism and perseverance that deserves an international streaming audience. On his 70th birthday, we hope this launch is a fitting homage to the man known simply as The King.”
Created and directed by Amir Chamdin (Partisan), the series is written by Martin Bengtsson (Agent Hamilton) and begins filming in 2022. It will premiere exclusively on Viaplay across the Nordic region.