Fifth Season’s Nordic Drama Queens and Swedish channel TV4 have exclusively revealed the trailer for “Cry Wolf” (“Vargasommar”) to Variety. This action thriller stars British musician-turned-actor Eliot Sumner, along with Eva Melander and Henrik Dorsin.
“Cry Wolf” is based on Hans Rosenfeldt’s first solo novel and will be represented by Fifth Season’s global distribution arm at Mipcom. The series is set to premiere at the Stockholm Film Festival before its official launch on TV4 Play on December 25.
The story unfolds in the remote Swedish town of Haparanda, where police investigator Hanna Wester discovers human remains in a dead wolf’s stomach. These remains are linked to a violent drug deal across the Finnish border. As a professional killer arrives in Haparanda to retrieve three valuable bags, tension escalates in the once-sleepy town.
Fifth Season’s president of TV distribution, Prentiss Fraser, described “Cry Wolf” as a fresh take on the Nordic Noir genre. He noted that it features strong character development and shares thematic similarities with shows like “Fargo,” blending crime thriller elements with dark humor. The series is adapted by Oskar Söderlund, known for his work on “Snabba Cash” and “The Dark Heart.”
Josefine Tenglad, one of the three leaders of Nordic Drama Queens, emphasized their goal to renew Nordic Noir. She mentioned that inspirations included “Fargo” and “No Country for Old Men,” maintaining that tone throughout all six episodes with the same director, Jesper Ganslandt.
As the first completed series from Nordic Drama Queens, “Cry Wolf” represents a significant production supported by TV4, ZDF, Swedish tax incentives, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, Filmpool Nord, and Fifth Season.
The casting of Sumner exemplifies the close collaboration between Nordic Drama Queens and Fifth Season. Tenglad shared that they initially searched extensively across the Nordics for an actor to play Kat but were excited when they discovered Sumner, who had lived in Sweden and was familiar with the language and Jesper’s work.
Having Fifth Season as a partner also accelerates project approvals for Nordic Drama Queens. Funch noted that their collaboration allows for quicker greenlights due to Fifth Season’s willingness to take early risks.
Fraser highlighted that this approach has led to numerous recent commissions for Nordic Drama Queens. He stated that their projects align well with Fifth Season’s slate, offering compelling stories and great talent while maintaining a premium viewing experience.
Historically, many Nordic series have been successful English-language remakes, making Nordic Drama Queens’ lineup valuable for their studio business.
In addition to “Cry Wolf,” two other series from Nordic Drama Queens are nearing completion and will be presented to buyers at Mipcom.
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