IN FOCUS

Bear necessities

The first original Nordic drama on Disney+, Koka björn (To Cook A Bear) is a dark and visually dramatic adaptation of Mikael Niemis’s novel set in 19th century Sweden. Star Gustaf Skarsgård and director Trygve Allister Diesen reveal the show’s recipe.

 

The Writers Room

Imposter syndrome

Imposter creator and writer Jason Herbison tells DQ about reuniting with Neighbours star Jackie Woodburne for this four-part family feud thriller set in Melbourne, the appeal of Brits abroad and tapping into the “romanticised” appeal of Australia.

 

STAR POWER

Knock on Brokenwood

Eleven seasons and counting, New Zealand murder-mystery drama The Brokenwood Mysteries is still going strong, boosted by a broad international audience. Actors Neill Rea, Fern Sutherland and Jarod Rawiri reflect on the show’s success.

 

Fact File

Fact file: In Light of Darkness

British screenwriter Steven Farrell-Kelly introduces In Light of Darkness, a horror-soaked psychological thriller series with a supernatural twist he is currently developing with Sydney-based Escapade Media.

 

ON LOCATION

Once upon a time in Naples

DQ travels to Naples to watch filming for Gomorra – Le Origini (Gomorrah – Origins), a 1970s-set prequel to the iconic Italian mafia drama. Director Marco D’Amore, writer Maddalena Ravagli, producer Riccardo Tozzi and Sky exec Nils Hartmann go back to the beginning.

 

IN FOCUS

Ready to Riot

In Riot Women, five middle-aged women come together to form a punk band and discover they have a lot to say. Writer and director Sally Wainwright joins real punk duo ARXX to tell DQ about making the series and producing the show’s original songs.

 

The Writers Room

Unlocking Keyes

Irish actor and writer Stefanie Preissner and author Marian Keyes tell DQ how they came together to bring some of Keyes’ most famous characters to the screen with The Walsh Sisters, a comedic drama about five chaotic yet lovable siblings navigating their late 20s and 30s.

SHOWRUNNER

Painting Boston Blue

Boston Blue showrunners Brandon Margolis and Brandon Sonnier on taking charge of this Blue Bloods spin-off, solving the puzzle of crime procedurals and the best note they’ve ever received from television network executives.

 

SHOWRUNNER

Sibling symphony

Austrian drama Mozart/Mozart pushes the sister of the Austrian composer into the limelight. Showrunner Andreas Gutzeit discusses reimagining the Mozart legacy, playing with history and the creative use of music throughout the six-part series.

 

IN FOCUS

Journey to Seacrow Island

Writer Karin Arrhenius and director Fredrik Edfeldt reflect on the task of reimagining Astrid Lindgren’s beloved Swedish family series Vi på Saltkråkan (Life on Seacrow Island) for modern audiences, their screen partnership and why good drama comes from good characters.

STAR POWER

Tracking the missing

French stars Camille Razat and Hugo Becker reflect on their roles in true crime drama Les disparues de la gare (The Lost Station Girls), the challenge of playing characters in a story set over many years, and the ongoing impact of the real story told in the six-part series.

Ones to Watch

Series to Watch: London 2025

Ahead of the 69th London Film Festival, which begins on October 8, DQ spotlights the new series that will be screened in the UK capital.

 

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