Swedish pubcaster SVT which nabbed two prizes at March’s Series Mania – best actor to Amanda Jansson for “My Brother” and the Spectateurs Séries Mania label to “Burden of Justice” – is rising high on a domestic ratings spike and festival nod bonanza.
“We’ve had a fantastic 2025 and 2026 looks as promising,” said SVT head of drama Johanna Gårdare, as she unpacked exclusively to Variety her 2026-27 slate, headlined by the Canneseries competition entry “Summer of 1985”.
Indeed, several high-end SVT shows were major audience-pullers last year, led by SF Studios’ screen adaptation of Astrid Lindgren’s “Seacrow Island,” repped worldwide by Beta Film, which averaged 1.95 million views per episode, a feat for a country of 10 million people. Other hits included the FLX-produced “Vanguard,” which scooped best series and best actor (Jacob Oftebro) at the Monte-Carlo Festival and averaged 1.2 million views, while Filmlance International’s “My Brother” launched Dec. 26 to pull in so far 1.6 million average views.
These successes come on the heels of Dramanation’s “Whiskey on the Rocks,” Disney+ first Nordic Original which was co-produced with SVT, won the 2025 Prix Italia and was watched by nearly 1 in 6 Swedes, as reported by Variety.
SVT is currently following a similar hit rate at home with Strive Studios’ legal drama “Burden of Justice” from “Snabba Cash” creator Jens Lapidus. Launched Feb. 20 on the streaming service SVT Play, the show has averaged more than 1.1 million views per episode so far, more than twice the 500,000 target and 205% above those forecast. “It’s by far the biggest show in Sweden this year,” claims Gårdare who has greenlit Season 2, set to premiere in 2027.
Drilling down on SVT’s editorial line and strategy, Gårdare – who was promoted from program manager for children, youth and family to head of drama in Dec. 2024 – says she sits on an annual drama budget of €25-€30 million ($30-$35 million), with €10 million ($11.7 million) earmarked towards features, shorts and documentaries.
Within the TV drama strand, she’s been able so far to order eight to nine quality series a year, repping a mixed bag of genres, based on original scripts or high-profile IP, such as “Summer of 1985,” adapted from the eponymous novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist (“Let the Right One In,” “Border”), or the upcoming thriller “The Cold Song” helmed by Mikael Marcimain (“Blackwater”), based on a novel by Linn Ullmann.
“Our goal is to offer series with a clear genre that engage and entertain a large audience,” underscores the drama honcho.
‘Summer of 1985’
While the double narrative recipe, with ethical and social layers besides entertaining plots, sticks to the DNA of the Swedish pubcaster, a new focus has been on “hopeful and kind stories to bring warmth and comfort when the outside world is dark.” Gårdare cites the 2025 hit “Love in Session” (“Parterapi i Gagnef”) penned by Wilhelm Behrman (“Pressure Point,” “Caliphate”), a romcom set within a “kind and trustful community,” which successfully caught the zeitgeist.
Series That Travel
Most importantly Gårdare has had to prioritise stories that travel, and quality over quantity to counter in-house budget cuts and escalating production costs, harsh measures already implemented by many of her European counterparts.
“Production budgets have doubled in the last 5-10 years, but the problem is that our investment in each show at around 50-60%, hasn’t changed. We can’t afford as many shows, and have to raise more coin in international,” explains Gårdare who says the ripple effect of the cuts to her drama division will first be felt in 2028. “Our €1.5 to $2 million ($1.7 to 2.3 million) annual investment into development which has been key to deliver high-end content, will be slashed by 10% and we will commission only seven series from 2028,” she says.
Looking ahead, Gårdare says she will keep focusing on co-productions, especially with northern Europe, and within the N12 Nordic and New8 European alliances framework that have successfully broadened the drama offer on SVT.
Among the upcoming releases, three are N12 co-productions – “Burden of Justice” Seasons 1 and2 and a “Thin Blue Line Christmas Special,” to be distributed in Denmark (DR), Norway (NRK), Finland (YLE) and Iceland (RÚV); two others are New8 titles, therefore lined up with the same partners in the Nordics, on top of VRT in Flanders/Belgium, ZDF in Germany and NPO in The Netherlands.
Regarding collaborations with global streaming services which has yielded 11 shows since 2017, Gårdare says SVT will be flexible, prioritising a first window model, with second window to be discussed on a case by case. “We actually have second windows with SkyShowtime on the drama comedy “When the Sun Always Shines” which is doing really well on our platform, and on “The Trio,” lined up for Oct. 2026 on SVT Play. Then we are co-producing again with Netflix, the next ‘Bonus Family’ Season 5, with Netflix rolling out six-months after us.”
Questioned on her biggest hopes for 2026-27, Gårdare says she looks forward to the launch of “Summer of 1985” – “I hope the audience at Canneseries and in Sweden will love it as much as we do!” – and to the premiere of “Thin Blue Line, Christmas Special.”
“On a broader perspective,” she adds, “I hope that we commissioners, will dare to take more risks to ensure creative renewal and innovation in TV drama. I also hope that indie producers will help us commissioners, challenge the sector and try to slow down the trend of of 100% series financing, so that we can maintain a certain volume and keep the industry going.”
A closer look at SVT Drama’s 2026 lineup and provisional titles for 2027.
2026
“Burden of Justice” (“Hundarna,” 8X45’)
Legal drama thriller from the creator of “Snabba Cash” Jens Lapidus, directed by Lisa Linnert. Produced by Strive Studios in co-production with N12, Film i Väst. Premiered in February. Sold by DR Sales
‘Burden of Justice’
“When the Sun Always Shines” (“När solen alltid skiner,” 6X30’)
Sky Showtime Original in co-production with SVT. A dark dramedy from hit specialist Felix Herngren and his outfit FLX, about a Swedish couple’s new life in Mallorca which comes with many surprises. Premiered in March.
“The Danish Woman” (“Danska konen,” 6X50’)
Icelandic-French dramedy from Benedikt Erlingsson, co-produced by Arte/ZDF, Slot Machine, Gullslottid, ZikZak Filmworks. The show about an eccentric secret agent in Reykjavik world premiered at Series Mania 2025 and in March 2026 in Sweden. Sold by The Party Film Sales.
“Something Familiar” (“Skilsmässobarn,” 8X30)
Dramedy about grown-up kids dealing with the emotional baggage from their parents’ divorce. Co-created by Felix Herngren’s daughter Vera Herngren and Felicia Danielsson who co-star. Directed by co-writer Patrik Gyllström (“The Congregation) for FLX, in association with YLE. Premiered April 17 on SVT.
“Summer of 1985’ (“Svärtan,” 6X45’)
A coming-of-age thriller with an element of magic realism, based on the book by John Ajvide Lindqvist and adapted by Amy Deasismont, Melina Maraki. “The Bridge” creator Björn Stein serves as concept director. The Canneseries 2026 competition entry is produced by Media Res International in co-production with ZDFNeo and Film Stockholm. Premieres in July, with Fifth Season handling sales.
“Diagnoses” (“Diagnoser,” 6X40’)
Produced by FLX in co-production with SVT, Film i Väst, in collaboration with YLE, RÚV.
Created by author Jessica Ericstam with Maria Nygren, Linn Gottfridsson. Sofia Adrian Jupither (“Limbo”) is concept director. Dramedy turns on Bella and Elliot, their families and the everyday chaos that comes with living with ADHD and autism. Premieres early this fall on SVT.
“The Trio” (“Trion,” 6X30)
SkyShowtime Original produced by SF Studios in co-production with SVT, Film Stockholm, North Train Media.
A heated coming-of-age adapted by Veronica Zacco (“Top Dog”) from a novel by Johanna Hedman, directed by Anders Hazelius. Premieres in October on SVT, with Eccho Right handling sales.
“Thin Blue Line Christmas Special (“Tunna blå linjen, Jul Special,” 4X60’)
After three successful seasons, the popular Malmö-set realistic cop show makes a come-back as a special Christmas gift from production outfit Anagram Sweden to its fans. Saara Cantell and Pontus Kläbge co-direct from a script by creator Cilla Jackert. The co-production with N12, Film i Skåne is sold by ITV.
“Accidental Santa” (”Den ofrivillige tomten,” 24X15’)
Christmas calendar from the producers of the acclaimed “Pressure Point,” Art & Bob, co-produced by SVT with Film Stockholm. Mikael Syrén directs. Premieres December 2026.
2027 to date
“Burden of Justice” Season 2 (“Hundarna S2” 8×45’)
Returning season of the hit legal drama starring Björn Bengtsson, Arvin Kananian, Kit Walker Johansson, Tiril Wishman. Filming of the Strive Studios series starts in September with a premiere pencilled for March 2027 on SVT. Co-produced by N12, Film i Väst, with DR Sales handling sales.
“The Cold Song” (“Det dyrbara,” 6X45’)
Produced by Miso Film Sweden, in co-production with SVT, Film i Väst, New8. A psychological thriller exploring the strength and fragility of family bonds, based on a best-selling novel by Linn Ullmann, adapted by Anna Bache-Wiig, Siv Rajendram Eliassen, Maren Louise Käehne. Mikael Marcimain (“Blackwater”) serves as director/co-writer. Premieres in April 2027. Fremantle handles sales.
”Shadow of Guilt” (”I skuldens skugga,” 6X45’)
Crime drama based on an idea by best-selling author Camilla Läckberg and her “Fjällbacka Murders” universe, directed by Lisa Farzaneh (“Young Royals,” “Quicksand”). Filming starts Aug. 18 on the show produced by Creative Society Production, in co-production with SVT, Film i Väst, New8. Premiere pencilled for the summer 2027.
“Bonus Family S5” (Bonusfamiljen 5, 6X45’)
Anticipated Season 5 of FLX hit drama comedy, co-produced by SVT and Netflix. Vera Vitali and Erik Johansson reprise their roles as Lisa and Patrik who navigate life with their children and exes. Directed by Måns Herngren from a screenplay by Ditta Bongenhielm and Moa Herngren.
Johanna Gårdare
Leave a Reply