Jens Lapidus’ best-selling ‘Paradis City’ becomes one of Viaplay’s hottest drama series

• Alexander Abdullah (“Fast Cash”) and Julia Ragnarsson (“End of Summer”) star in the six-part series, directed by Crystal Bear nominee Finar Ahmed.
• Jens Lapidus’ novels have sold more than five million copies worldwide
• “Paradis City” will be Viaplay’s latest Nordic premium series

Viaplay Group is transforming Jens Lapidus’ bestselling novel “Paradis City” into a major text-based series with some of the most exciting screen talent in the Nordic countries. A captivating drama set in Sweden in the near future, starring Alexander Abdullah (Fast Cash, Love Me) and Julia Ragnarsson (End of Summer, Springfloden). The series is directed by Fanar Ahmed (Darkland; Crystal Bear nominated for Megaheavy) and produced by Strive Stories. Jens Lapidus, who is also one of the executive producers of the series, has sold more than five million books that have been translated into more than 30 languages, including the internationally successful “Fast cash” trilogy.

In the six-part series, Sweden’s most vulnerable regions have been surrounded by walls and subject to special laws that are purported to protect the rest of society. When the Home Secretary is giving a speech in the largest district, known as Paradise City, she is taken away by masked men. SÄPO agent Frederica (Julia Ragnarsson) turns to Emir (Alexander Abdullah), a former mixed martial arts fighter who now faces life in prison. He was given an ultimatum – to infiltrate Paradise City and find the Minister if he ever wants to see his daughter again.

Jens Lapidus: “The book ‘Paradis City’ is an attempt to talk about our time. I’m very happy that it’s now going to be a TV series on Viaplay and I was able to go through the script process and all the other preparations with pleasure. I think that ‘Paradis City’ will become one of the fattest Swedish series of the era Talking. Alexander Abdullah and Julia Ragnarsson are perfect for their lead roles.”

Also appearing in the series are Phyllis Jankel (The Playlist) and Lancelot Ncube (“Our time is now”, winner of the Rising Star at the Stockholm Film Festival), with additional talent announced in due course. Registration takes place during the summer in Stockholm and Vilnius.

Philippa Walsttam, Chief Commercial Officer, Nordex, Viaplay Group: “We continue to set ourselves apart from the crowd with engaging, high-quality storytelling. Viaplay’s upcoming productions are based on many of the biggest stories in the Nordic countries, such as ‘Ronja Rövardotter’, a series about Börje Salming and now “Paradis City”. Jens Lapidus’ thrilling stories and complex characters have made him an international best-selling author, and we believe in a huge audience in all of our markets for this timely series. With an amazing team on both sides of the camera, “Paradis City” has become one of the places to go It is a must see in a society that none of us would like to see.”

Bjorn Bakwallen (“The Occupation”) is the series’ main writer, with Michaela Hamilton and Oliver Dixon as episode writers. “Paradis City” was produced by Nicklas Wikström Nicastro (“Quick Cash”) and Caroline Landerberg (“Dark Heart”) at Strive Stories, in co-production with Viaplay and in association with Paprika Studios. Oskar Arolf is the Executive Producer at Viaplay Group.

Worldwide sales of “Paradis City” are handled by Viaplay Content Distribution.

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Information for the editor

Viaplay Group AB (publ) is the international provider of entertainment. Our Viaplay streaming service is available on a direct to consumer basis in all Nordic and Baltic countries, Poland, Netherlands, UK, USA and Canada. Every day we entertain millions of customers with our unique content offering, which includes popular Viaplay series, movies and more, as well as a unique selection of premium live sports. In addition, Viaplay’s storytelling will be available to partners around the world through the innovative Viaplay Select branded content concept. From broadcasting to TV channels, radio stations and production companies, our goal is to tell stories, connect with people and broaden perspectives. Viaplay Group is listed on NASDAQ Stockholm (“VPLAY B”).

About Strive Stories:
Strive Stories is an independent production company based in Stockholm that produces feature films and TV dramas for all platforms. Founded by bestselling author Jens Lapidus and Academy Award-nominated producer Nicklas Wikström Nicastro with the goal of producing thrilling stories with greater meaning for both local and global audiences.

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