Viaplay & SF Studios land remake of ‘The Sandhamn Murders’ author’s latest novels

Viveca Sten

Viaplay and SF Studios have snagged remake rights to Swedish crime novels, The Åre Murders, written by The Sandhamn Murders author Viveca Sten.

The books will be adapted into a six-part series set to debut on the Nordic streamer in 2024, with Joakim Eliasson (Honour) directing, and Karin Gidfors (Snabba Cash) and Jimmy Lindgren (Honour) attached to write.

SF Studios’ Brita Lundqvist produces, alongside Viveca Sten, and global sales are handled by Viaplay Content Distribution.

The show will be set in the simultaneously beautiful and bleak mountain landscapes of northern Sweden, with the story tracking a Stockholm police officer who takes refuge from her personal and professional problems in a scenic village, where a young woman disappears.

Sten said: “When I started writing the books in Åre during the coronavirus pandemic, I never imagined they would come to the screen so soon. I hope and believe that The Åre Murders will be just as successful as The Sandhamn Murders and I’m particularly looking forward to participating as an executive producer.”

Filippa Wallestam, Viaplay Group chief content officer, added: “Viveca Sten’s storytelling has proven local and international appeal, and we anticipate a broad audience for this ambitious adaptation. The Åre Murders will deliver idyllic winter locations and ice-cold crime, all through the eyes of engaging characters familiar to Viveca’s millions of readers.”

Sten’s books have been published in more than 40 countries and sold over 7.5 million copies, with the screen version of The Sandhamn Murders reaching nearly 100 million viewers worldwide since 2010.