AMC Networks Picks Up Swedish Crime Series 'Backstrom' (EXCLUSIVE)
Annika Pham, provided by
FacebookTwitterEmail
AMC Networks has bought for its streaming service Acorn TV, the U.S., U.K. and Canadian rights to the six-part Swedish series “Bäckström,” produced by the Scandi powerhouse Yellow Bird (“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” “Wallander”). The deal was brokered by global distributor Banijay Rights.
“Bäckstrom” is set to launch Feb. 8 in the U.K. and later this spring in North America.
More from Variety
The series is based on best-selling crime author Leif G.W. Persson’s novel “Can You Die Twice,” adapted for the screen by Jonathan Sjöberg (“Black Lake”), who also serves as concept director. Kjell Berqvist (“Spring Tide”) plays the titular character, the rebellious and divisive detective Evert Bäckström, famous for his crime-solving flair. His talent, however, is put to test when a bullet ridden skull is found in the Swedish archipelago, and DNA-results confirm it belongs to a victim of Thailand’s 2004 tsunami.