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Viaplay US continues to feature the best under-the-radar international series and films in streaming. Following June’s new releases - true crime docuseries In the Mind of a Criminal, S2 (Thurs., June 12) and powerful Nordic noir/crime thriller Mafia (Thurs., June 19, Trailer) depicting the violent and epic rise of a visionary crime boss and the lone cop (Katia Winter) facing the looming Mafia menace - Viaplay’s July U.S. slate features the exclusive Stateside premieres of must-see European TV series and docs:

·         Johanna Möller - Sweden's Most Hated Woman (Thurs., July 10) – The surprising true crime docuseries provides the truth behind one of Sweden’s most notorious murder cases, known as the ‘summer cottage murder’ (Trailer)

·         The Congregation, Season 2: Bride of Christ (Knutby) (Thurs., July 24) – Based on the true events that inspired HBO’s acclaimed docuseries Pray, Obey, Kill, this gripping and award-winning Swedish psychological drama returns to unravel the dark world of the infamous Knutby cult – marked by abuse, infidelity, threats, and feverish prophecies (Trailer)

·         Verstappen - Lion Unleashed 4 (Thurs., July 3) – World Champion Max Verstappen, his father, his manager, and racing legend David Coulthard speak exclusively to Viaplay about Max's incredible fourth championship win in 2024 (English-Language, Trailer)

The detailed July slate for the Viaplay streaming service is below. Additionally, the MAFIA finale premieres on Thurs., July 24. Please watch and consider covering our exclusive US premieres featuring the very best in European and Nordic television.

Screeners: Sign up as PRESS or login at https://viaplaycontentdistribution.com/login

Talent interviews: Available upon request

SPOTLIGHT: SPORTS DOCUMENTARY

Verstappen - Lion Unleashed 4

Thursday, July 3 - Exclusive US Premiere

Trailer

World Champion Max Verstappen, his father Jos Verstappen, manager Raymond Vermeulen and racing legend David Coulthard speak exclusively to Viaplay about the road to Max's incredible fourth championship win in 2024; briefly going through key races.

Verstappen has now joined Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel as a four-time champion, with only Juan Manuel Fangio, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton ahead of him in terms of all-time championship wins. (2024, English, 1x25’)

SPOTLIGHT: TRUE CRIME

Johanna Möller - Sweden's Most Hated Woman

Thursday, July 10 - Exclusive US Premiere

Trailer

Known as the ‘summer cottage murder’, Sweden's most infamous case reopens as Johanna Möller speaks out for the first time about her conviction in planning the murder of her father and attempted murder of her mother. Surprisingly, the conviction involves no forensic evidence and is based on the statement of the murderer, her untrustworthy boyfriend Mohammad who changed his story a shocking twelve times. With the help of experts, this series digs deep into the case and investigates the truth behind one of Sweden's most notorious killers and puts a spotlight on the influence of its media attention as well as the judicial system in deciding who is guilty and who’s not.

The docuseries asks the question ‘is it possible that one of Sweden’s most written about criminals is locked up on inaccurate grounds?’

(Viaplay Documentary, 3 x 45' episodes, Swedish with English subtitles)

SPOTLIGHT: DRAMA

The Congregation, Season 2: Bride of Christ (Knutby) – True Crime Drama Series

Thursday, July 24 – Exclusive US Premiere (Two new episodes premiere every Thursday through August 7)

Interview Opps: Cast/Filmmakers

Awards: Season 1 (Streaming Now) was nominated for five “Swedish Emmys” (Kristallen TV Awards): Best Television Drama, two for Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Supporting Role

Trailer

This six-part psychological drama is based on the true events that inspired HBO’s acclaimed docuseries Pray, Obey, Kill on the controversial Christian cult of Knutby in the early 2000's in a rural small town in Sweden. Season 2 picks up after the Season 1 murder when all eyes are suddenly on the Knutby Pentecostal. But instead of falling apart, they come together with renewed intensity.

Eva (Aliette Opheim, Patriot, Fortitude, Kristallen Award-winning for Best Actress for her Season 1 performance) publicly denies being the actual "Bride of Christ," but behind the scenes she goes to new extremes to get everything in order to prepare for the return of Christ. She soon recruits a new pastor, Örjan Åkerby (Alexander Jubell), to replace Sindre by her side. Eva judges members as "right" or "wrong" and singles out the congregation's "cow team" who receive an extra punishment. Under Örjan’s guidance, a group of “daughters” is formed, where the young women in the congregation receive spiritual and bodily guidance.

Eva feels the noose tightening around the congregation and has premonitions of a Judas among her 12 closest disciples. But who is it?

Abuse, arranged marriages, infidelity, threats and feverish prophecies. The madness continues in Knutby on its way towards the unavoidable ending - or is there another way? (6x44’ episodes, Swedish w/English subtitles)

SPOTLIGHT: CRIME DRAMA

Mafia – Riveting Swedish crime drama winds down to its must-watch finale, U.S. Premiere

Thursdays, July 5-24 (Episodes 3-6 premiere every week)

Interview Opps: Cast/Writer

Trailer

Starring Swedish powerhouses Peshang Rad (Before We Die, Jana, Gåsmamman, Bäckström) and Katia Winter (The Boys, Granite Harbour, Sleepy Hollow, Dexter)

In this sweeping six-episode crime series drawing inspiration from actual events, Mafia charts the transformation of Sweden in the 1990s, evolving from a relatively tranquil nation untouched by organized crime into a land marked by intense gang conflicts and violent shootouts. The series follows the life of the notorious gangster and criminal visionary Radovan "Jakov" Jakovic (Peshang Rad), chronicling his journey from poverty to wealth.

Against Jakov is police officer Gunn Thörngren (Katia Winter), the lone cop who sees the looming Mafia menace, hidden in the shadow of cigarette smuggling.

As the story begins, both Gunn and Jakov are underdogs, forced to play a daring game to circumvent their superiors. It's not long before they develop a connection with each other. Each is convinced they are using the other for their own benefit, but their connection will have devastating consequences for both of them.

Mafia touches on a critical time in Swedish history, the consequences of which echo today. The series takes viewers back to a time when acts of violence such as shootings were unusual, almost unthinkable, but where cigarette smuggling, in particular, became the prelude to a new type of organized crime.

(Viaplay Original, 6x45’ episodes, Swedish w/English subtitles)

RECENT PREMIERES / AVAILABLE TO BINGE

·         Chaos – Akin to a more romantic Danish The Morning Show, the series follows the chaotic life and modern love story of a host of a popular morning program (Trailer)

·         10 Years of Max Verstappen – An exclusive interview with Max looking back at his legendary, record-breaking first decade in redefining Formula 1 (Trailer)

·         Jana, Marked for Life - A Swedish psychological thriller and hit Nordic Noir based on a bestselling novel and aired on BBC4 (Trailer)

·         Like Tears in Rain - A star-studded, intimate portrait of iconic Dutch actor Rutger Hauer captured through private, never-before-seen footage and directed by his goddaughter (Trailer)

·         The Hunt - Called "a milestone in Dutch television history," this award-winning, spine-chilling crime drama is inspired by the real-life murder of Marianne Vaatstra, a case that gripped the Netherlands for more than a decade (Trailer)

·         Bullshit - The powerful, award-winning story of a group of lost and rebellious youths in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. The drama series delves into the darkly exciting, but dangerous world of bikers as a passionate love story unfolds. (Trailer)

·         The Bunker - A chilling and shocking new true-crime docuseries about a woman who survived a torturous abduction and confronts her past trauma. (Trailer)

·         Rebus - Sir Ian Rankin’s iconic detective series starring Richard Rankin (Outlander) and recently aired on BBC to rave reviews and ratings. Edgar®-nominated for ‘Best Television Teleplay Episode’ (Intl BBC Trailer)

·         All and Eva - Following its rave reviews, Swedish ‘Emmy’ nominations, and a record-breaking Swedish debut, the hilariously fresh take on the comedy-drama genre stars award-winning actress Tuva Novotny (#1 Netflix movie The Abyss, Annihilation). Trailer. (The New York Times ‘Best International Shows’ of 2024 selection)

Check Out Viaplay’s Best of 2024 selections, including the binge titles above as well as ‘Best Thriller’ The Fortress, ‘Best Nordic Noir’ End of Summer, ‘Best Fantasy’ Ronja the Robber’s Daughter, ‘Best Feature Film’ Listen Up!, and ‘Best Sports Doc’ Max Verstappen: Anatomy of a Champion’

About Viaplay:

The Viaplay streaming service features thousands of hours of premium Nordic and European series and films from Scandinavia's largest and most recognized television/streaming platform. Viaplay’s US content offering focuses on the Nordic region’s high-quality and psychologically penetrating titles: from atmospheric and suspenseful crime dramas and provocative and stylish young adult series to award-winning dramas and riveting documentaries. On par with the best on television, Viaplay series feature first-rate production values, incredible scenery, award-worthy acting, and edge-of-your-seat storylines. Viaplay is available as an add-on subscription on Prime Video Channels, The Roku Channel, Comcast Xfinity, and more for only $5.99 a month. All titles are available in their original language with English subtitles. Link: http://amazon.com/video/viaplayus

Press Contacts:

Chad Campbell, Head of PR, Viaplay SVOD – chad.campbell@viaplaygroup.com 

Eddie Ward, On behalf of Viaplay - 917-864-6446 / eddie@eddiewardPR.com