August 2024 Highlights

Viaplay is available in the UK as an Amazon Prime Video Channels add on

Please get in touch with requests for screeners and interview opportunities

Premieres & Exclusives

Bendtner – Gripping sports docuseries 

Monday, August 12 – Exclusive UK Premiere (Full Series x 3 Episodes)

This riveting three-part docuseries delves into the extraordinary life of one of Denmark's most renowned and controversial footballers – Nicklas Bendtner. Directed by Andreas Koefoed and created in collaboration with Rune Skyum-Nielsen, the author of Bendtner's biography, the series will be available for the first time in the UK exclusively on Viaplay from 12 August.

The film follows his fascinating story from a talented young football player in Copenhagen, as he aimed for the stars, to a man lost in the world of fame, glamour and excess, as he’s betrayed by those closest to him. The docuseries offers unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to Bendtner, his family, managers and teammates – shining a light on the most defining moments of his life. Discover the man behind the headlines in this unmissable three-part docuseries.

English and Danish with English subtitles.

The Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt – Enthralling Political Docuseries

Monday, August 12 – Exclusive UK Premiere (Full Series x 2 Episodes)

Meet Denmark’s first female prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt in a fascinating two-part docuseries that charts her landmark tenure. The series shines a light on what it means to be a woman in power and the challenges of being under constant media scrutiny. Directed by Nille Westh, the series will be available to binge on Viaplay from 12 August.

The political documentary captures the fascinating story of Denmark's inaugural female Prime Minister, exposing societal reluctance to embrace female leadership. Throughout her journey, Thorning-Schmidt confronts deep-rooted expectations of how a woman should look, live and even what interests she is expected to have, to be taken seriously

Told through archival footage, we witness the leader’s steadfast commitment to authenticity amid the Social Democrats' struggle for survival. The documentary examines her portrayal in the media and treatment by political adversaries, spanning from her early political career to the present day.

Danish with English subtitles.

Börje – The Journey of a Legend – Biographical Sports Drama Series

Monday, August 26 – Exclusive UK Premiere (Full Series x 6 Episodes)

Trailer

Discover the remarkable true story of Swedish hockey legend and sports icon, the late, great Börje Salming, in this enthralling sports drama. The six-part series features a stellar cast including Valter Skarsgård (The Playlist, A Class Apart), Hedda Stiernstedt (The Restaurant, One More Time) and Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills 90210, Private Eyes) and is available to binge on Viaplay from 26 August.

Hailed as one of ice hockey’s greatest legends and affectionately known in Canada as “The King”, Börje Salming’s – who tragically passed away in November 2022 – story is now told in this fantastic drama. The legendary sportsman spent 16 years with the Canadian Maple Leafs and smashed records galore. He was the first European player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and won the hearts of fans around the world.

Amir Chamdin (Partisan) directs the series, which not only celebrates Börje’s incredible legacy but also his trailblazing role in opening the NHL to European players. It charts his rise from small-town outcast to international icon. The series also delves into the passionate love story between Börje (Skarsgård) and his wife Margitta (Stiernstedt), who follows him to Canada and must navigate the complexities of life married to an NHL star.

English.

The King’s Inner Circle – Royal Documentary Series

Monday, August 26 – Exclusive UK Premiere (Full Series x 3 Episodes)

This captivating docuseries celebrates the life of Sweden’s longest-reigning monarch, King Carl XVI Gustaf, in the lead-up to his Golden Jubilee in 2023. Fondly exploring the monarch’s journey, this three-part royal biographical series gets its UK premiere on Viaplay on 26 August.

Through never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews with Princess Christina, Queen Silvia, Denmark's Queen Margrethe and his closest companions, this fascinating series paints a unique perspective on the King's early life and remarkable 50-year reign, emphasising his profound impact.

Swedish and English.

The Minister, Season 2 (Ráðherrann) – Brand new Series of Icelandic Political Drama

Monday, August 12 – Exclusive UK Premiere (Full Series x 8 Episodes)

The hugely popular Icelandic political drama series starring Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald) as Benedikt Ríkharðsson, Iceland's newly elected Prime Minister, returns for its second thrilling season. The eight-part series premieres in the UK on Viaplay on 12 August.

Season 2 follows on from the dramatic first series finale, where Benedikt publicly discloses his bipolar disorder to the nation. Now, determined to revolutionise Iceland's approach to mental health, Benedikt is back to take on more political and personal challenges.

Starring Anita Briem (Wild Game, Justice League), Thorvaldur Kristjansson (FBI: International), Sigurður Sigurjónsson (Belle) and more.

Icelandic with English subtitles.

August 2024 full line-up

5 August

Darkness: Those Who Kill, Season 3

One of the most popular Nordic Noir series is back with eight gripping new episodes and the full series 1- 3 will be available to binge. In Season 3, a middle-aged couple is found brutally killed in front of their house. Louise Bergstein (Natalie Madueño, Petra) takes on the case to assist the lead investigator, Frederik Havgaard (Simon Sears, Shadow and Bone). Season 3 features Alex Høgh Andersen (Vikings, Call Me Dad) in a recurring role.

Danish with English subtitles. 

12 August

Bendtner
Three-part docuseries on the extraordinary journey of football prodigy Nicklas Bendtner, one of Denmark's most renowned and controversial football players.

The Prime Minister (Statsministeren Helle Thorning-Schmidt)

Meet Denmark’s first female prime minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, in this two-part docuseries which charts her trailblazing tenure as she grapples with societal norms and media scrutiny.

The Minister (Raoherrann), Season 2 (Series 1 & 2 Complete Box set)
The hugely popular Icelandic political drama series stars Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald) as Benedikt Ríkharðsson, the newly elected Prime Minster of Iceland who grapples with both personal and political challenges.

19 August

In the Mind of a Criminal

Gritty documentary series sees police investigator Sebastian Richelsen investigate some of the worst and most spectacular crime cases in Danish history to try and gain insight into the minds, thoughts and behaviours of a criminal.

26 August

Börje – The Journey of a Legend

Record-setting, six-part drama series on hockey hall of famer Börje Salming, starring Valter Skarsgård and Jason Priestley.

The King’s Inner Circle

Captivating three-part documentary series celebrates the story of Sweden’s longest-reigning monarch, King Carl XVI Gustaf, ahead of his Golden Jubilee.

Screeners and talent interviews are available upon request.

Viaplay is available in the UK as an Amazon Prime Video Channels add on

Viaplay’s UK content offering focuses on the Nordic region’s high-quality and psychologically penetrating series and films, from atmospheric and suspenseful crime dramas and provocative and stylish young adult series to award-winning dramas and riveting documentaries. Subscribers will have immediate access to thousands of hours of premium Nordic and European content, including:

Nordic Noir/Crime Dramas: Iconic series The Bridge, Seasons 1-4; Lars Mikkelsen in Face to Face, an intense interrogation drama; Fenris, featuring mysterious disappearances in a wolf-inhabited forest; Trom, a mystery set in the picturesque Faroe Islands; and smash hit series No Time to Mourn, Seasons 1-5; Honour, Seasons 1-3; and Darkness: Those Who Kill, Seasons 1-3

·        Young Adult Series: Provocative drama Delete Me and coming of age LGBTQ+ short form series One of the Boys  

·        Dramas: The Architect, the award-winning dystopian dramedy starring Eili Harboe (Succession) that has been called “vicious and funny” by The New York Times; Lasse Hallström’s acclaimed feature film Hilma; top rated financial drama Exit, Seasons 1-2; hit dramedy Love Me, Seasons 1-2; sports biopic I am Zlatan; International Emmy-nominated The Dreamer – Becoming Karen Blixen starring Connie Nielsen (Gladiator); Camilla Läckberg’s modern soap operas The Beach Hotel, Seasons 1-2 and Hammarvik, Seasons 1-4; and Swedish ‘TV Drama of the Year’ nominee Limbo

·        Documentaries: The Most Remote Restaurant in the World, a “can’t miss documentary” (Forbes) following the nearly impossible journey of a chef to set up shop in a far-flung Arctic location; and Crime Scene Sweden, a shocking in-depth look at infamous Swedish murders

Press contact: 

Deb Shenholds at Aim Publicity

debbie@aimpublicity.com

020 8292 2818 /07836 672 871