BBC commissions Wallander series 4

This week, BBC One announced that photography is beginning on Wallander series 4 starring Sir Kenneth Branagh. This will be the final series, and it will consist of three films.

The feature-length episodes will be adapted from two Henning Mankell novels – The White Lioness, the third novel in his Wallander series, and The Troubled Man, the final Wallander book. Filming will take place on location in Sweden, Denmark and South Africa.

The first instalment will be written by James Former and directed by Jonathan van Tulleken (Top Boy, Misfits), while the second and third will be written by Peter Harness and directed by Ben Caron (Skins, Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This). These adaptations will bring the complete cycle of Mankell’s novels to their natural conclusion and, as BBC’s Controller of Drama Commissioning, Ben Stephenson, explained, will provide viewers with a ‘dark, thrilling and emotional finale’.

The White Lioness follows an investigation into the disappearance of an estate agent – but a story that begins with a seemingly simple case soon develops into a tale of international intrigue. Wallander and his team become caught up in a complex web involving renegade members of South Africa’s secret service and a former KGB agent, all of whom are attempting to stop Nelson Mandela’s rise to power.

The Troubled Man sees Wallander, haunted by his past, facing a deeply personal case while looking towards the future with profound uncertainty. He has no choice but to come face-to-face with his most intractable adversary – himself.

Branagh said, ‘I always approach each series of Wallander with anticipation and excitement, but this last series of films contain some of the greatest challenges the character has ever faced. It’s a privilege to try to meet them, and I look forward to a great Swedish Autumn working on Henning Mankell’s masterly creation’.

Thus far, BBC’s Wallander has picked up seven BAFTA wins, as well as nominations for two Emmy awards and one Golden Globe. We’re sure that Wallander series 4 won’t disappoint – we can’t wait.