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Branagh to Play Wallander in TV Series UPI, 14 July 2008 Kenneth Branagh is to star in a new TV series based on the Kurt Wallander detective books by Swedish author Henning Mankell, "Masterpiece Mystery" announced. Branagh, a co-producing partner and longtime fan of the novels, said in a statement his latest character is "wonderfully complex and compelling." Shot in rarely seen locations in southern Sweden, "Wallander" is to air on "Masterpiece Mystery" on PBS in the spring or summer of 2009. "We're thrilled to be presenting Kenneth's passion project on 'Masterpiece Mystery'," executive producer Rebecca Eaton said in a statement. "'Wallander' will introduce PBS audiences to a stunning part of the world -- and a fascinating new detective." Branagh, a Northern Irish actor-filmmaker who recently directed a remake of "Sleuth," has starred in the films "Much Ado About Nothing," "Hamlet," "Celebrity" and "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein." He will soon be seen in the big-screen war movie "Valkyrie," opposite Tom Cruise.

"Swedes Are So Cool" Kvllsposten, 2 June 2008 By Robert Ullmin ** Thanks Jonas for the translation The role of Kurt Wallander is incredibly fascinating. He has problems with his daughter and father and has problems with women, too. But he does his job as a policeman very well and solves murders to the best of his ability. Yesterday, the internationally famous British actor Kenneth Branagh made what was possibly the only appearance until BBC's three Wallander films are completed. Branagh, who is also co-financier of the three Henning Mankell books "Sidetracked", "One Step Behind" and "Firewall", has found a real challenge in the character of Kurt Wallander. Or, as producer Francis Hopkinson put it: ""Midsummer Murders" and "Inspector Morse" are traditional English films where the investigation moves along at a very even pace." "Kurt Wallander is something very different. In the books and films we find gray and mundane everyday life and much more of a political colour." With a twinkle in his eye, Kenneth Branagh concludes that Kurt Wallander "would probably not be an easy friend to get along with". Met on Gottland Last year Branagh and Henning Mankell met during the Ingemar Bergman festival on isle of Gotland. They started talking and 6 months later the contract was signed with banks and production companies. "Things have gone so very fast", says Branagh. What does he like about living in Ystad? "The Swedes are bloody cool. The neighbors hardly reacts if they open their blinds to find a 70-man strong film crew." Charming mood "The Swedish mood is both charming and a bit special, at least where I live." In the Swedish version Wallander loves opera. Branagh's Wallander does not. "I don't have the time. People get murdered all the time..." Three films a year Yesterday the British team announced that they want to do three new Wallander films every year. Right now it is just a hopeful plan, but indications have been positive. Will they film all Mankell's novels? "Not all. One is mainly set in Africa, that just does not work", Branagh laughs. "But we may see more of Ystad next year."

Plans for New Wallander Films Sveriges Radio P4 Malmö, 31 May 2008  (go to the site for a link to an audio clip) ** Thanks Jonas for the translation The BBC is planning for at least three new Wallander films in Ystad, probably next year. This was announced when the production management let the press have access to the film team of the English language Wallander films for the first time. The British actor Kenneth Branagh, who portrays Kurt Wallander, says it was the multi-faceted character of Kurt Wallander that lured him to the role. "I appreciate a man, who as an experienced inspector, constantly encounters violence and the dark sides of human behavior and still takes it personally and is emotionally affected by this." Yesterday the film team was filming in a townhouse area and was shooting a scene from "One Step Behind". They have already wrapped up "Sidetracked" and have "Firewall" left before they end in August. If proven popular, the plan is to film three more next year. It was Wallander's slightly complicated character that attracted Branagh. An interesting lack of predictable manliness, as he put it. Tough but, also emotional. But the British Wallander will be a bit different than the original. He does not listen to opera, the British audiences are too familiar with the opera-loving Inspector Morse. Branagh has worked hard at making Wallander his own.

More English Wallander Films in the Works in Ystad   Ystads Allehanda, 31 May 2008 By Ulf Mårtensson ** Thanks Jonas for the translation There will be more British Wallander films in Ystad than the three current ones. "This has always been our and Branagh's goal, as long as the audience enjoys them", says Francis Hopkinson, producer with Left bank, one of the companies involved. Yellow Bird Producer Ole Søndberg, says two of Mankell’s books could be hard to film. He mentions "The White Lioness" and "The Dogs of Riga" as being hard to film. This leaves three five films, if one is to stick to original Mankell novels. Three films a year is the work pace, so maybe the British filmmakers will already be back in Ystad next year. If that is the case, this is good news for the film town of Ystad and Ystad studios. Almost Classic The film companies' ambition is to make Inspector Wallander the next classic British copper. Comparisons have been made with Midsummer Murders. "But that series is too traditional. Mankell’s stories are much more interesting and deal with social issues in a very different manner", says director Philip Martin.

Kenneth Branagh's Life as Kurt Wallander   Ystads Allehanda, 30 May 2008 By Ulf Mårtensson ** Thanks Jonas for the translation Kurt Wallander has stopped listening to opera. Kenneth Branagh explained this on Friday, when for the first time he met with press and media during the shooting of the three Wallander films for BBC. - I have not seen any of the Swedish Wallander films. I wanted to have my on take on "Kört" said Kenneth Branagh during a meeting with the press at Ystad Studios. He came straight from the shooting of "One Step Behind" in the Västra Sjöstaden neighborhood, just outside Ystad. It is a final scene that is being filmed in this "Friday sleepy" neighborhood where a murderer is on the loose. Kenneth Branagh says the filming has been going as if on rails. Nothing has been made worse due to the nice and warm weather. Out of 12 weeks of shooting, they are now half way through. The British actor is surprised that the people of Ystad are so cool. "They barely raise an eyebrow when we stomp in with a whole film crew and kick in the doors whilst wood splinters are flying everywhere." Kenneth Branagh met with novelist Henning Mankell during the Bergman film festival on Fårö one year ago. This is when the idea to make the films materialized. Kenneth Branagh is fascinated by the Kurt Wallander character. "He is an experienced Policeman who has not stopped caring about life and the big social issues." "He is philosophical", says Branagh, who also finds his everyday problems with his daughter, father and love all make him human and interesting. "He is just as exciting a character as many other roles I have worked on", says Branagh who has portrayed all great Shakespeare roles. Speaks English The films take place in Ystad, or rather the film team's interpretation of Ystad. A micro cosmos where as usual in Mankell’s world we find beastly murders and other horrors. One curiosity is that they all speak English. "You drive on the right side of the road", says producer Philip Martin. "The intent has always been to make the films in Mankell’s Ystad. The team wants to catch what can be exotic to a British audience". Special Wallander editions of local newspaper Ystads Allehanda have been produced for the films. In Swedish. "We have tried to use words that can be understood by an English-speaking audience", explains producer Simon Mosely. The tempo in the films is fast. "We wanted to do something absolutely thrilling that really catches the viewers", says Kenneth Branagh. The Swedish TV audience will also see how this film team succeeds with this task. When is not known. The BBC will show the films at the end of the year. And why doesn’t the British Wallander love opera? Well, it would have been too similar to Inspector Morse, something the British producers wanted to avoid.

Here Is Where They Are Shooting the New Wallander Films Sydsvenskan.se, 17 April 2008 By Olof Åkerlund ** Thanks Jonas for the translation There have been many secrets surrounding the British Kurt Wallander series. But on Thursday the star actor Kenneth Branagh (Wallander) was seen, as well as the rest of the Anglo-Swedish film team at Häckeberga castle outside the town of Genarp. Originally another castle was scheduled as a shooting location but when that plan fell apart, Bo Madsen, the manager of Häckeberga castle, was quick to offer a filming location to the 60-person strong film crew and the roughly 50 extras. The guests had to be moved to the castle stables, but that worked out very well. This is really exiting, a true circus. It is not everyday that you encounter Kenneth Branagh, says Bo Madsen.

Kick-off for the BBC-Wallander Film Shooting Ystads Allehanda, 14 April 2008 ** Thanks Wenda for the translation Shooting for the British version of the Henning Mankell Wallander mysteries started on Monday at Sodra Anggatan in Ystad. The star actor Kenneth Branagh, who plays the opera-loving inspector, and a large film team were in place in a functional house [i.e. a house from around 1920s or 1930s]. In parts of Agatan and Anggatan it was not permitted to park during the week-end or on Monday. But the people of Ystad are used to film teams in action and did not seem to take very much notice of the start of shooting. The football match continued on Dammen at the Bleke school and neighbourhood life continued as usual. For the next 3 months 3 films will be shot for the BBC in Ystad and nearby locations.

The Scenery Is Under Construction for the BBC-Wallander Ystads Allehanda, 2 April 2008 By Ulf Martensson ** Thanks Ulf, and Wenda for the translation Now they've started work in the Ystad studios building the scenery for the shooting of the British version of Henning Mankell's thrillers. Time is short. Shooting starts on April 14th with the star actor Kenneth Branagh in the role of Wallander. In the studio the man in charge of building the scenery, Anders Olin, is at work on a model of Ystad's police station where Kenneth Branagh will solve 3 tricky cases. Ystads Allehanda can today reveal which books the films to be made for BBC by the poduction company Yellow Bird will be based on. "We will be filming Sidetracked, One Step Behind and Firewall", says Rebecka Kihlberg, production co-ordinator at Yellow Bird. Anders Olin was there when the police station in Ystad was built in the studio for the Swedish Wallander productions. "This one will be bigger and more easy to work in. It will also be in a slightly different style", he says. That is quite natural when an English and a Danish scenografer (Jaqueline Abrahams and Anne Mete Bo Drivsholm) collaborate to give their version of Mankell's world. The studio police station will be approx. 500 square metres, almost twice the previous model. The British film team is already in place and on Tuesday drove around to finalize the remainder of the shooting venues. "We will be using an appartment here in Ystad as Kurt Wallander's abode", says Rebecka Kihlberg. But exactly where it is she can't reveal. However, she can say that Kenneth Branagh's accomodation for the 3 months the shooting is expected to take is settled. "He will be staying in a house by the sea - just as he wished. And he is very pleased about it", says Rebecka Kihlberg. "I won't say any more", she says. Wallander Trebble Anyway Kenneth Branagh will definitely have a chance to chat with an earlier Wallander, Rolf Lassgard, who will be in a neighbouring studio in Ystad shooting a roll in the film "De rationella" (The Irrational People). Later on this summer Krister Henrikson will be coming here to shoot 13 new Swedish Wallander films so it will be a Wallander Trebble at the Ystad film-town. Not bad!

Press Releases Anouncing Wallander

BBC Press Office, 10 January 2008 Wallander – Kenneth Branagh in Major New Drama Adaptation for BBC One (Thanks Patricia) Kenneth Branagh returns to BBC One to play the unique Swedish detective Kurt Wallander in three new single films for the channel. The drama will be adapted from Swedish author Henning Mankell's critically acclaimed Kurt Wallander Mysteries – an international publishing phenomenon with over 25 million copies sold worldwide. The series will be co-produced by Kenneth Branagh's production company with Yellow Bird (a part of the Zodiak Television Group) and Left Bank Pictures through BBC Scotland. Branagh, who is also a co-producing partner, has had a long time passion for the books, and the project came into fruition when he contacted Executive Producer of Yellow Bird Ole Søndberg, and after he met with Mankell in Sweden. Three of the Wallander stories have been commissioned for single 90-minute episodes – 'One Step Behind', 'Firewall' and 'Sidetracked'. All three of the dramatic tales are set in Sweden and will be shot on location there early next year. Simon Moseley, Branagh's long-term producing partner, will produce the films and the TV adaptation will be written by Richard Cottan ('Men Only', 'Love Again') and Richard McBrien (Trust, The Debt). Executive Producers for Left Bank Pictures are Andy Harries ('The Queen', 'Prime Suspect') and Francis Hopkinson ('Danielle Cable', 'The Jury'). Kenneth Branagh will also executive produce and Executive Producers for Yellow Bird will be Ole Søndberg (Beck series, Wallander series) and Anni Faurby. Kenneth Branagh said: "Wallander is a wonderfully complex and compelling character and as a long time admirer of Mankell's novels, I am very excited to be playing this fascinatingly flawed but deeply human detective." Left Bank Pictures Head of Television, Francis Hopkinson said: "These are fantastic stories set in a beautiful and rarely seen part of the world. Southern Sweden is a stunning place to film and the location will lend a magical quality to this unique production." Anne Mensah, Head of Drama for BBC Scotland, adds: "Wallander is an extremely ambitious project – after all we're looking to create an classic new detective character for British television. "The Henning Mankell novels are well loved around the world and have a depth and complexity which will make for exciting and compulsive viewing. We couldn't hope for a stronger team behind the project, nor could we hope for a more perfect leading man than Kenneth Branagh." Filming for Wallander is expected to start in early 2008 on location in Sweden – bringing together a production team from both the UK and Sweden. Details of further casting to follow. Wallander is the latest in a raft of new drama commissions through BBC Scotland including 'Phoo Action', 'P.A.s', 'Fiona's Story' and 'God On Trial'. BBC Worldwide has a 25% equity stake in Left Bank Pictures which gives it an exclusive first-look option on all Left Bank Pictures' television productions. Yellow Bird is one of the largest drama producers in Scandinavia, they have already produced 13 Swedish Wallander movies and are currently in production for two other Scandinavian detective series.

The Local, 10 January 2008 Kenneth Branagh to Star in BBC 'Wallander' Series By Paul O'Mahony (Thanks Anna) Celebrated UK actor Kenneth Branagh is set to team up with the BBC for the production of a series of three films based on Henning Mankell's best-selling Wallander crime novels, UK trade magazine Broadcast reports. The three 90-minute crime dramas are to be filmed this summer on location in Ystad in southern Sweden, home of fictional detective Kurt Wallander. Mankell's series of books on the life of the enigmatic police inspector have achieved great international success, selling 10 million copies worldwide. According to Mankell's production company Yellow Bird, the Academy Award-nominated actor got in touch with them last year requesting to play the title role. Branagh told Broadcast: "Wallander is a wonderfully complex and compelling character and I am excited to be playing this fascinatingly flawed but deeply human detective," The films are to be based on the first three novels in the Wallander series: 'Sidetracked', 'Firewall' and 'One Step Behind'. "This is more than just a detective series. It's fantastic drama, great stories and an absolutely beautiful setting," Andy Harries, head of newly founded production company Left Bank Pictures, told Broadcast. "Visually these films are going to be very strong, very picture postcard. Ken Branagh is perfect for the title role," he added. Left Bank Pictures has been commissioned by the BBC to make the Wallander series in association with Yellow Bird. "Branagh thinks the books are fantastic," Yellow Bird CEO Mikael Wallén told Dagens Nyheter. "For this reason I believe it will be a success. His company will also be a co-producer," he added. Kenneth Branagh recently directed the film 'Sleuth', starring Michael Caine and Jude Law. He is however best known for his screen adaptations of the plays of William Shakespeare, including 'Henry V', 'Much Ado About Nothing', 'Hamlet' and 'As You Like It'. According to Broadcast, the BBC is searching for a drama vehicle to rival the successes of ITV's 'Inspector Morse', 'Cracker' and 'Prime Suspect'. The three films are expected to cost a combined total of £6 million (77 million kronor, $12 million) to produce.

Daily Mail, 10 January 2008 Detective Branagh: Kenneth is Set to Star in a New BBC Series to Rival 'Inspector Morse' By Tahira Yaqoob (Thanks Jude) Kenneth Branagh will return to the small screen in a big-budget BBC detective series intended to rival the success of 'Inspector Morse'. The respected actor and director, who has not been seen on television for five years, was persuaded to make a comeback for the £6 million drama because of his love of the novels it was taken from. He will take the title role in the series based on the bestselling Wallander novels, in which a heavy-drinking, world-weary detective embarks on a mission to resolve crimes using unorthodox means. Branagh, 47, who will also be executive producer for the drama, is expected to be paid £500,000 for portraying the disillusioned Kurt Wallander. The Swedish novels written by Henning Mankell have been a worldwide phenomenon, selling more than 25 million copies across the globe. The three-part BBC series - each with a lavish £2 million budget - will be based on the first three novels, Sidetracked, Firewall and One Step Behind and will be set in Sweden. Branagh - who is best known for his big screen adaptations of Shakespearean plays - was last seen on British television five years ago when he played explorer Ernest Henry Shackleton in a Channel 4 drama by the same name. But as a longstanding fan of the detective novels, he was keen to play the lead and met Mankell in Sweden to talk through a dramatisation. The author was said to have insisted on Branagh playing Wallander in the BBC1 adaptation. Branagh said yesterday: "Wallander is a wonderfully complex and compelling character. I am excited to be playing this fascinatingly flawed but deeply human detective." A source said: "He has been a huge fan of the series for years and had a series of meetings with Mankell a year ago. "Lots of people have been wanting to dramatise the books but when Mankell started to think about turning them into TV dramas, he wanted Ken to do it. "It is a project very dear to Ken's heart and something he has wanted to do for a long time." The three 90-minute episodes will be filmed in southern Sweden and are an attempt to mirror ITV's success with 'Prime Suspect', 'Inspector Morse' and 'Cracker'. It is a debut venture from Left Bank Pictures, the film company set up last year by 'The Queen' producer Andy Harries and is likely to be sold worldwide. The firm has joined forces with Branagh's own production company and Mankell's Yellow Bird production team. Harries, who will be executive producer, said: 'This is more than just a detective series. It is fantastic drama with great stories and an absolutely beautiful, picture postcard setting. Ken is perfect in the title role." BBC Worldwide has a 25 per cent in Left Bank Pictures, which makes it likely the series will be sold across the globe. BBC drama boss Anne Mensah, who commissioned the series, said: 'Wallander' is an extremely ambitious project. We are looking to create a new detective character for British television. The novels are well-loved around the world and have a depth and complexity which will make for exciting and compulsive viewing. We could not hope for a stronger team behind the project, nor a more perfect leading man." Scripts for the drama are still being written with filming set to start this spring. The Wallander books have been turned into Swedish movies but this is the first British dramatisation.

The Herald, 11 January 2008 Branagh Is Given Lead Role in £6m BBC Scotland Adaptation of Hit Crime Novels By Carolyn Churchill Kenneth Branagh will star as a hard-drinking Swedish detective in a £6m TV series commissioned by BBC Scotland, it was revealed yesterday. The actor will play Kurt Wallander in adaptations of three critically acclaimed crime novels by Swedish author Henning Mankell. 'Wallander', which will be filmed on location in Sweden, is a major coup for BBC Scotland and comes only a few months after director-general Mark Thompson said the corporation north of the border should triple its output for UK networks. The new series of 90-minute programmes is being co-produced by three independent companies after being commissioned by Anne Mensah, head of drama at BBC Scotland. She said: "'Wallander' is an extremely ambitious project - after all, we're looking to create a classic new detective character for British television. We couldn't hope for a stronger team behind the project, nor for a more perfect leading man." The books have sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and the programmes will be based on three of the novels, Sidetracked, One Step Behind and Firewall. Branagh, whose production company will make the series in conjunction with Left Bank Pictures and Mankell's own company Yellow Bird, said he was a fan of the novels. He said: "Wallander is a wonderfully complex and compelling character and, as a long-time admirer of the novels, I'm very excited to be playing this fascinatingly flawed but deeply human detective."

Variety, 11 January 2008 Branagh Set for BBC Adaptation Actor to star in $12 million TV production By Steve Clarke, Gunnar Rehlin Kenneth Branagh is set to star as fictional Swedish cop Kurt Wallander in a BBC adaptation of Henning Mankell's bestselling crime novels. Swedish production company Yellow Bird, owned by Zodiak Television, has sold the rights for three 90-minute features based on the novels "Sidetracked," "Firewall" and "One Step Behind." The films will be made by Left Bank Pictures, producer Andy Harries' shingle, along with Yellow Bird and Branagh's as-yet-unnamed shingle. BBC Worldwide, the pubcaster's commercial arm, has a 25% stake in Left Bank Pictures. The pics will be shot in Ystad, in the south of Sweden, during spring and summer. They will air on flagship BBC web BBC1. Mankell's books have sold more than 25 million copies worldwide, giving the dramas big global potential. "Wallander" was commissioned by BBC Scotland head of drama Anne Mensah and BBC controller of fiction Jane Tranter. Mensah said the "extremely ambitious" project is aimed at creating "a classic new detective character for British television." Yellow Bird has made 13 Wallander films for the Scandinavian market, three for theatrical release and 10 for TV.