Wallander Overview
Wallander is a series of novels written by Swedish author, Henning Mankell about fictional Swedish police detective, Kurt Wallander. There have been three adaptations of Wallander for film and television, each with a different lead actor playing the Kurt Wallander character.
Not all the the TV/Film material with Wallander as the lead character is based on actual published books. In the case of the Swedish TV series, all episodes except one are written specially for screen only.
The acting style used by each of the three actors who portray Wallander is noticeably different across each of the productions. The Swedish films (featuring Rolf Lassgård) present a flawed Wallander character whose behaviour often appears to get him into trouble with co-workers and adversaries alike. Henriksson (Swedish TV series) is more considered and (arguably) likeable figure with a role that is more paternal than Lassgård's. Branagh's interpretation is more emotional, although it is clear he has intended to remain closer to the novels than the other adaptations (this may be to compensate for the lack of Swedish language as much as his own artistic principles).
Each viewer is likely to develop a favourite based on viewing different actors play the Wallander role. We hope that this page will help you develop your own opinion about your favourite interpretation, as well as appreciate the original books upon which they are based also.
- Swedish film series featuring Rolf Lassgård playing Kurt Wallander
- Swedish TV series with Krister Henriksson playing the lead role
- British TV series with Kenneth Branagh as Wallander
- List of all Henning Mankell Wallander series books with links to film/tv series
- Links to other Wallander information sources
See also:
On this page, you can find information about the differences between each of the adaptations, the actors involved and also links to places where you can buy books or DVDs and other media about the series.
Swedish Film Series (1994-2007)
These are direct interpretations of Mankell's novels adapted by screenwriters and follow the plot of each book of the same name. Rolf Lassgård plays Kurt Wallander role. The films pre-date both the Swedish and British TV series.
Swedish TV Series (2005-2010)
This differs from the Swedish films and the British series in that only one episode is a direct interpretation of a novel, Before the Frost (Innan Frosten). There are 26 episodes split across two series. Mankell provided the plots for each of the episodes but other screenwriters completed the adaptations. Most episodes are relatively long (for a TV series) and typically last approximately 90 minutes. Krister Henriksson plays the part of Wallander.
British TV Series (2008-2012)
The British TV series features Kenneth Branagh in the title role of Kurt Wallander. The narrative is in English, although the location setting is still in Southern Sweden. Unlike the Swedish TV series (but more like the Swedish films) it is based entirely on Mankell's novels. Three series have been produced so far, with three episodes each. A final fourth series is planned also.
Books and associated films or TV series episodes
Below is a list of each of the books and the equivalent TV series or film from each major adaptation. Not all books have an associated TV or film and different series tackled various combinations of the books.
Faceless Killers (Mördare utan ansikte)
The Dogs of Riga (Hundarna i Riga)
The White Lioness (Den Vita lejoninnan)
The Man Who Smiled (Mannen som log)
Sidetracked (Villospår)
The Fifth Woman (Den 5e kvinnan)
One Step Behind (Steget efter)
Firewall (Brandvägg)
The Pyramid (Pyramiden)
Before the Frost (Innan Frosten)
The Troubled Man (Den orolige mannen)
Faceless Killers (Mördare utan ansikte)
The first Wallander book. First published in 1991 (Swedish edition).
Books
Video/DVD versions
British TV Series (Branagh)
The Dogs of Riga (Hundarna i Riga)
The second Wallander book. Published in 1992 (Swedish edition).
Books
Video/DVD versions
British TV Series (Branagh)
The White Lioness (Den Vita lejoninnan)
The third Wallander book. . Published in 1993 (Swedish edition).
Books
Video/DVD versions
Swedish Film (Lassgård)
The Man Who Smiled (Mannen som log)
The fourth Wallander book. . Published in 1994 (Swedish edition).
Books
Video/DVD versions
Swedish Film (Lassgård)
British TV Series (Branagh)
Sidetracked (Villospår)
The fifth Wallander book. Published in 1995 (Swedish edition).
Books
Video/DVD versions
British TV Series (Branagh)
The Fifth Woman (Den 5e kvinnan)
The sixth Wallander book. Published in 1996 (Swedish edition).
Books
Video/DVD versions
British TV Series (Branagh)
One Step Behind (Steget efter)
The seventh Wallander book. Published in 1997 (Swedish edition).
Books
Video/DVD versions
British TV Series (Branagh)
Firewall (Brandvägg)
The eighth Wallander book. Published in 1998 (Swedish edition).
Books
Video/DVD versions
Swedish Film (Lassgård)
British TV Series (Branagh)
The Pyramid (Pyramiden)
The ninth Wallander book. Published in 1999 (Swedish edition).
Books
Video/DVD versions
Swedish Film (Lassgård)
British TV Series (Branagh)
Before the Frost (Innan Frosten)
Published in 2002 (Swedish edition). This title is unusual in two respects. It features Wallander's daughter, Linda, as the key protagonist and also is is the only Swedish TV series episode to be based directly on a published Menkell Wallander book.
Books
Video/DVD versions
Swedish TV Series (Henriksson)
British TV Series (Branagh)
The Troubled Man (Den orolige mannen)
The final Wallander book in the series. Published in 2009 (Swedish edition).
Books
Video/DVD versions
There are no current adaptations of this title, however, the 4th series of the British TV series is planned to include it and it will be the final work of the series.