Saints and Sinners
Johannes Holopainen speaks to DQ about heading the cast of Finnish drama All the Sins, its themes of religious oppression and why it’s not just another Nordic noir series. Happy birthday Walter Presents. The UK streamer, which marked five years of operation earlier this month, specialises in non-English language-drama and has spread its reach to countries including Italy, Belgium, the US, Canada, New Zealand and Russia since its launch. But given the Channel 4-backed service’s fondness for Scandinavian series, it’s perhaps surprising that crime drama Kaikki synnit (All the Sins) will be Walter’s first Finnish show when it lands on the platform this month. Set against a backdrop of blue skies and open landscapes, the six-part series follows police detective Lauri, who is sent to his childhood neighbourhood of Varjakka to investigate a pair of brutal murders in this small, religious community. Lauri had cut ties with the town – home to followers of Laestadianism, an ultra-conservative religion – as a teenager and moved to Helsinki when his sexuality went against the beliefs of his family and the local people. Now considered the best person to solve the case, Lauri, along with senior detective Sanna, is sent north, where suspicion immediately falls on the local anti-religion group. But in such a close-knit community, secrets are set to be revealed as Lauri comes to terms with his own upbringing. “There’s a big boom in series in Nordic countries and Finland as well. It’s a wonderful thing,” says Johannes Holopainen, who plays … Continue reading Saints and Sinners
