Swedish books become U.S. TV series

Crime writer Leif GW Persson's books to be developed into a drama series  

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  Swedish criminologist and author Leif GW Persson – GW stands for Gustav Willy – will soon see his books turned into an American TV series. Photo: Ulla Montan/Schipsted Förlag

• Leif GW Persson’s crime books on the cynical police inspector Evert Bäckström are being turned into an American TV series.

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  Camilla Kvartoft and Leif GW Persson of the Swedish TV series "Veckans Brott" (Crime of the Week), SVT, Sveriges Television. Photo: Niklas Ahlgren

• “Financially it isn’t wrong at all,” Persson says. “Sweden needs all the money possible, and now we have secured the balance of payments for the next couple of years.”

• The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that the studio Twentieth Television - part of News Corporation - will develop the book series for a potential hour-long drama series that’s being eyed for next year. The project would revolve around the main character in the novels: Evert Bäckström, a cynical, racist, sexist and homophobic cop with a drinking problem who is disliked by many of his colleagues.

• Leif GW Persson is a Swedish criminologist and novelist, as well as professor in criminology at the Swedish National Police Board. Between 1999 and 2009, he participated as an expert commentator on the television show “Efterlyst” (Wanted) on TV3. Nowadays he participates in the television show “Veckans Brott” (Crime of the Week), which is primarily about unsolved Swedish criminal cases. Persson’s 1978 novel “Grisfesten” (Pig Party), was adapted for the big screen in Sweden in 1984 under the title “Mannen från Mallorca” (The Man from Mallorca - Directed by the late, highly underrated director, Bo Widerberg.

• Read the story at The Hollywood Reporter: Stephen Gaghan Tapped to Adapt Leif G.W. Persson Crime Novels