Wallander (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = Wallander


caption =
genre = Crime
creator = Henning Mankell
writer = Richard Cottan
Richard McBrian
director = Philip Martin
Niall MacCormick
starring = Kenneth Branagh
composer =
country = United Kingdom
company = Left Bank Pictures
Yellow Bird
num_episodes = 3
executive_producer = Kenneth Branagh
Andy Harries
Francis Hopkinson
producer = Daniel Ahlqvist
Anni Faurby
Simon Moseley
Ole Søndberg
location = Ystad, Sweden
cinematography = Anthony Dod Mantle
Jan Jonaeus
camera_setup = Single
runtime = 90 min.
channel = BBC One
picture_format =
audio_format =
first_aired = 23 November 2008
last_aired =
website =

"Wallander" is a British television series adapted from Henning Mankell's Inspector Wallander novels. The series is produced by British company Left Bank Pictures and Swedish company Yellow Bird for BBC Scotland. The BBC expects the series to replace Inspector Morse as a classic detective character for British television. Three adaptations have been filmed for the first series, to be broadcast in the autumn of 2008. Another three books are scheduled to be adapted in 2009.

Cast

*Kenneth Branagh as Kurt Wallander. Branagh met with Henning Mankell at an Ingmar Bergman film festival in 2007, where he asked Mankell if he could play Wallander. When Yellow Bird first put a television adaptation out to tender in 2006, names proposed to play Wallander included Trevor Eve, Neil Pearson, Jason Isaacs, David Morrissey, Clive Owen and Michael Gambon. Wallander's signature love of opera has been dropped for this adaptation; producer Francis Hopkinson believes it would make Wallander too similar to Inspector Morse, whose love of opera is already familiar to British viewers. Branagh did not watch any of the original "Wallander" films before playing the role, preferring to bring his own interpretation to the role.
*Tom Hiddleston as Detective Martinsson, Wallander's rookie partner "who's given all the crap jobs". [Rees, Jasper (31 August 2008). " [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article4628248.ece Step into the limelight] ", "The Sunday Times", Times Newspapers. Retrieved on 2 September 2008.]
*Jeany Spark as Linda Wallander, Kurt's daughter.
*Sarah Smart as Ann-Britt Höglund, a detective on Wallander's team.

Production

Development

Henning Mankell's production company, Yellow Bird, began negotiations with British companies to develop English-language adaptations of the "Wallander" books in 2006. Broadcasters included the BBC and Channel 4.Duval Smith, Alex; Rob Sharp (2 July 2006). " [http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/jul/02/broadcasting.uknews Just what we need instead of miserable Morse… a gloomy Swedish detective] ", "The Observer", Guardian News and Media. Retrieved on 18 April 2008.] Branagh and a small production crew visited Ystad in December 2007 to scout for locations and meet with Film i Skånes chief executive Ralf Ivarsson.Engvall, Carl Johan (11 December 2007). " [http://www.ystadsallehanda.se/article/20071210/NOJE/845179258/1365 Kenneth Branagh letar inspelningsplatser i Ystad] ", (in Swedish), "Ystads Allehanda", Skånemedia AB. Retrieved on 8 October 2008.] A series of three 90-minute adaptations was commissioned by BBC Scotland's Anne Mensah and BBC Controller of Fiction Jane Tranter in January 2008. The first series comprises adaptations of "Sidetracked", "One Step Behind" and "Firewall". The BBC wanted a returning series that would have the same audience appeal as "Inspector Morse", "Prime Suspect" and "Cracker". The series is a co-production between Yellow Bird and Left Bank Pictures, a production house formed in 2007 by former ITV Controller of Comedy, Drama and Film Andy Harries. Harries described "Wallander" as "more than just a detective series" and that it would be visually "very picture postcard". A £6 million budget was assigned to the series, drawn from the BBC and from international pre-sales.Thomas, Liz (9 January 2008). " [http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/commissioning/interview/2008/01/branagh_to_star_in_harries_crime_drama.html Branagh to star in Harries crime drama] ", "Broadcast", EMAP. Retrieved on 2 September 2008.]

Location filming was principally set in Ystad, the main setting of the "Wallander" books. Sets were constructed under the supervision of Anders Olin, who also designed the sets of the Swedish "Wallander" films. The main police station set is 500 square metres, twice the size of Olin's previous sets.Mårtensson, Ulf (2 April 2008). " [http://www.ystadsallehanda.se/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080402/NOJE/116851050 De bygger kulisser till BBC-Wallander] " (in Swedish), "Ystads Allehanda", Skånemedia AB. Retrieved on 22 April 2008.] Mock-ups of "Ystads Allehanda", a local newspaper, were produced as working props. Producer Simon Moseley explained that the mock-ups use Swedish words that can be understood by English-speaking audiences.Mårtensson, Ulf (30 May 2008). " [http://www.ystadsallehanda.se/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080530/NOJE/167802872 Kenneth Branaghs liv som Kurt Wallander] " (in Swedish), "Ystads Allehanda", Skånemedia AB. Retrieved on 9 June 2008.]

Filming

Principal photography ran for 66 days from 14 April to 19 June 2008; each film was shot back-to-back over 22 days.Strauss, Will (13 May 2008), " [http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/technology/interviews/2008/05/anthony_dod_mantle_interview.html Anthony Dod Mantle interview] ", "Broadcast", EMAP. Retrieved on 2 September 2008.] Nilsson, Bass (14 April 2008), " [http://www.ystadsallehanda.se/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/YSTAD/375108143 Start för inspelningar av BBC- Wallander] " (in Swedish), "Ystads Allehanda", Skånemedia AB. Retrieved on 22 April 2008.] The first two films were directed by Philip Martin, who, like Branagh, did not watch any of the Swedish "Wallander" films before beginning, so as to be unhindered in his interpretation of the character.Arbsjö, Karin (17 April 2008), " [http://www.kuriren.nu/noje/artikel.aspx?articleid=3737238 Han är nye Wallander] " (in Swedish), "TT Spectra", Kuriren. Retrieved on 5 June 2008.] Martin and director of photography Anthony Dod Mantle could not film on 35 mm stock because the budget would not allow it, and the BBC "has politics" about 16 mm and Super 16. Instead they used the Red One digital camera, which has a near-35mm resolution. Using digital meant that rushes could be viewed on set, saving time on the already tight schedule. Aside from Ystad, locations filmed at include Häckeberga Castle and Ystad Saltsjöbad Spa & Conference.Åkerlund, Olof (17 April 2008). " [http://sydsvenskan.se/nojen/article316946.ece Här spelas nya Wallander-filmen in] " (in Swedish), "Sydsvenskan". Retrieved on 29 April 2008.] Höije, Katarina (31 July 2008). " [http://hd.se/noje/2008/07/31/wallander-gaar-sin-egen-vaeg/ Wallander går sin egen väg] " (in Swedish), "Helsingborgs Dagblad". Retrieved on 29 July 2008.] While filming at the latter location, the BBC production team crossed paths with the production team of the Swedish "Wallander" films, allowing the two actors portraying Wallander, Branagh and his Swedish counterpart Krister Henriksson, to meet each other. Second-unit filming and pick-ups continued for another month. [Mårtensson, Ulf (12 July 2008), " [http://www.ystadsallehanda.se/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080712/YSTAD/772612746/1066/YSTAD Wallanderinspelningar rullar på] " (in Swedish), "Ystads Allehanda", Skånemedia AB. Retrieved 8 October 2008.]

Scenes for "Sidetracked" were shot in a field of blooming rapeseed on the estate of the Charlottenlund Mansion. The Danish Special Effects team attempted to set the field on fire, something that proved quite difficult.Staff writer (29 September 2008). " [http://www.atl.nu/Article.jsp?article=49204&a=H%C3%B6straps%20lockade%20engelska%20filmare Höstraps lockade engelska filmare] " (in Swedish), " Lantsbrukets Affärstidning ", LRF Media AB. Retrieved 30 September 2008.] Danish completed post-production in August. [Haraldsted, Soren (15 August 2008). " [http://dsfx.dk/dsfx/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=99&Itemid=50 DSFX finishes BBC "Wallander" production] ", "Danish Special Effects website". Retrieved on 11 September 2008.]

Left Bank producer Francis Hopkinson has announced three more "Wallander" adaptations are tentatively scheduled to be filmed in 2009, explaining that it has always been the intention as long as the audience enjoys the films. Yellow Bird producer Ole Søndberg has said a few of Mankell's books will be hard to film, including "The Dogs of Riga" and "The White Lioness".Mårtensson, Ulf (14 April 2008). " [http://www.ystadsallehanda.se/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080531/NOJE/57391756 Fler engelska Wallanderfilmer på gång i Ystad] " (in Swedish), "Ystads Allehanda", Skånemedia AB. Retrieved 31 May 2008.]

Broadcast and merchandise

"Wallander" is scheduled for broadcast from 23 November 2008,fact|date= September 2008 as part of BBC One's autumn season.

The series has already been sold to a number of countries and territories across the world, including TV4 Sweden, TV2 Norway, DR Denmark, MTV3 Finland, Lumiere Benelux and Svensk Film for its pan Scandinavian feed. [Staff writer (6 June 2008). " [http://www.4ni.co.uk/northern_ireland_news.asp?id=76883 Branagh Turns TV Detective] ", "4ni.co.uk", Flagship E-Commerce. Retrieved 7 June 2008.] In the United States, PBS has secured the broadcast rights. It will air as part of the "Masterpiece Mystery!" strand in 2009. [Staff writer (14 July 2008). " [http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2008/07/14/Branagh_to_play_Wallander_in_TV_series/UPI-57211216059383/ Branagh to play Wallander in TV series] ", "UPI.com", United Press International. Retrieved on 2 September 2008.] BBC Worldwide, the BBC's commercial arm, will rep the series to further buyers at the Mipcom television festival in October 2008. [Sennitt, Caroline (12 September 2008). " [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2008/09_september/bbc_worldwide_drama_at_mipcom.shtml BBC Worldwide drama takes centre stage at MIPCOM 2008] ", BBC Press Office. Press release. Retrieved on 18 September 2008.]

A documentary about Henning Mankell will be broadcast on BBC Four to introduce the writer to a larger audience before the series is broadcast. [BBC Press Office (3 September 2008). " [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/09_september/03/scotland3.shtml BBC Scotland Autumn 2008 press pack: programmes N-Z] ". Press release. Retrieved on 4 September 2008.] Vantage Press will publish tie-in paperbacks of the adapted novels with photos of Kenneth Branagh on the covers. [" [http://www.branaghcompendium.com/wallander_covers.html Branagh Compendium] ". Retrieved on 29 September 2008.] The first series will be released on region 2 DVD by 2 Entertain Ltd on 8 December 2008.fact|date= September 2008

According to Anna Maris, project manager at the experience centre for film, Cineteket (situated next to Ystad Studios), several major British newspapers, such as "The Guardian", "The Daily Telegraph" the "Daily Express", have been to Ystad to cover "Wallander" during filming.Sjostrand, Ulf (29 September 2008). " [http://www.trelleborgsallehanda.se/article/20080929/YSTAD/425675095/1079/SKANE/&/Fler-evenemang-ska-locka-publik-till-Cineteket Fler evenemang ska locka publik till Cineteket] " (in Swedish), " Trelleborgs Allehanda ", Skånemedia AB. Retrieved 29 September 2008.]

Reception

In a preview of the BBC's Autumn season, Mark Wright of "The Stage" wrote that Branagh was "a good fit" for the character and had "high hopes for the success of [the] series".Wright, Mark (2 September 2008). " [http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2008/09/bbc-drama-autumn-trailer/ BBC Drama - Autumn Trailer] ", "The Stage", The Stage Newspaper Ltd. Retrieved on 4 September 2008.]

References

External links

*BBC Press Office (10 January 2008). " [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/01_january/10/wallander.shtml Wallander – Kenneth Branagh in major new drama adaptation for BBC One] ". Press release. Retrieved on 18 April 2008.
*Nilsson, Ola. (16 May 2008). " [http://sydsvenskan.se/webbtv/webbtv_skane/article329805.ece?context=webbtv Vi träffar BBC's Wallander] " [Video] . Sydsvenskan.