10 x approx. 60 Minutes
Unsolved Murders. Forbidden Love. Europe in Turmoil. Anno 1790 is an innovative take on crime drama in which the hero is a controversial surgeon and police commissioner who uses unconventional means to solve murder cases during the Age of Enlightenment. The TV series of 10 x approx. 60 minute episodes is set in a time when Europe was undergoing great changes. The French revolution had taken place – a beacon of hope to the freethinkers across Europe, and a great threat to the reactionaries and those in power. Anno 1790 is a 200-year-old modern crime story and shows life as it was in 18th century Stockholm. It was a city where tumbledown buildings stood alongside stately manors, and whores and beggars walked the same streets as rich merchants and noble women. The murder cases and the methods of solving them differ from those of our time. But the motives stay the same: revenge, greed, love, jealousy and politics. The main character Dåådh is a modern man with modern problems. He is a “closet revolutionary” who often finds himself in danger because of his views. He is torn between loyalties and is struggling with his forbidden love to Magdalena Wahlstedt, the wife of Dåådh’s boss, the police chief constable. May the truth prevail…
Who is Johan Gustav Dåådh? Trained physician, endlessly curious about science, people and life. He has a strong passion for gender equality and justice, and wants to see a better life for everyone, which is what drives him to take on the job of district commissioner – in order to gain power to improve society. Quick and impulsive, impatient at times. He has a hard time controlling his scathing sense of humour, which at times borders on insolence. He beats his own path and cannot blindly take orders without questioning them. Hardworking, methodical, and incredibly stubborn. Good humoured for the most part, and fond of women, likes a drink but always in moderation. An eager supporter of revolution, but doesn’t want it to be achieved through violence. As a child of the enlightenment, he is sceptical of religion. If he believes in anything, it is the inherent goodness of mankind, despite the harsh world that surrounds him.
Who is Simon Freund? Brought up in an atmosphere of pietistic religiosity, a true believer, with a good education that has allowed him to make a living as a tutor, over the past few years primarily for the chief constable’s children; a job that he combines with being Dåådh’s assistant. Freund is very wary of the opposite sex, burned by previous experiences. His lodestars in life are the Bible and the bottle. A chronic alcoholic possessed of a strong conviction that the Lord controls everything that happens in this world – and in the next. Concerned about his master Dåådh’s lack of respect for matters holy, but very attached to him, despite being in many ways his master’s opposite.
Who is Magdalena Wahlstedt? Raised in a wealthy merchant family. Wanted more out of life than to be married off, defied her parents and studied to become a midwife. As such she worked among the poor women of the city who viewed her as their benefactor. This frightened off most of the young men of the city, however, with the exception of deputy judge Carl Fredrik Wahlstedt, who after a year of courting her became her husband – and the chief constable. They have two children and are happy together, even if it has forced Magdalena to give up her duties as midwife. She is dutiful, an able and diligent housekeeper, as well as a good mother and wife.
Who is Carl Fredrik Wahlstedt? Competent bureaucrat, blindly loyal to the king, who has done him the honour of naming him chief constable. Quite conventional in his disposition, but can sometimes act impulsively, such as when he recommends Dåådh to be district commissioner. Wahlstedt is very much in love with his wife, and sees her and their children as his life’s blessing. He is happy to hand over the more routine aspects of the police work to his subordinates, and dreams of taking his next step up the career ladder: to become advisor to the King and a Knight of the Order of the Seraphim. But behind his warm and jovial demeanour, stands a powerful man who does not hesitate to strike, hard and relentlessly when necessary.
Episode 1
Between Blood and Lilacs Barber-surgeon Johan Gustav Dåådh returns
surprise, he is offered the position of district
to Stockholm from the war in Finland.
commissioner, i.e. police inspector. Dåådh’s
He’s taking a patient, Simon Freund, to chief
first reaction is to turn it down, since he’s a
constable Wahlstedt’s home, where Freund
political radical and objects to the injustices in
has been working as a tutor. But there Dåådh’s
society. But when he realises that Magdalena
life takes an unexpected turn. For one thing,
believes in him, he decides to accept the job,
he falls head over heels in love – with the
with Simon Freund as his assistant. Johan
chief constable’s wife Magdalena – and also
Gustav Dåådh’s intention is to use his new
becomes involved in solving a murder case,
position of power to try and make a difference
which he does so successfully that, to his
– in the name of justice.
Directed by Rickard Petrelius • Duration approx. 60 min.
Episode 2
The Perfumed Pistol A shop owner is found dead with a knife in his
angle – and reaches a surprising conclusion.
chest. A man has been caught seemingly red
One of Dåådh’s radical friends from the old
handed, but Dåådh is not satisfied with what
days needs his protection, but their meeting
seems to be the obvious solution, and instead
ends in tragedy that suddenly makes Dåådh
tackles the problem from a completely different
the focus of a vengeful woman’s rage.
Directed by Rickard Petrelius • Duration approx. 60 min.
Episode 3
Fickle Woman Libellous pamphlets against the king are
woman, and, after a few more gruesome
being distributed around town. When Dåådh
murders are committed, Dåådh realises
is going to interrogate the person who printed
that the old adage holds true: hell hath no
them, the man is found murdered, his skull
greater fury than a woman scorned.
crushed in his own printing press. Dåådh’s
This is just as true of Märta Raxelius, who is
investigation brings him in contact with a
convinced that Dåådh killed her brother and
beautiful and radical young French
will stop at nothing to get her revenge.
Directed by Levan Akin • Duration approx. 60 min.
Episode 4
Good Evening, Beautiful Mask! A cunning burglar is wreaking havoc in
Dåådh is offered help from the renowned
Stockholm. As the panic spreads, Dåådh
hypnotist Cagliostori, who happens to be
is under great pressure to apprehend this
performing in the city. Dåådh allows himself
masked thief, who is known to be both
to be hypnotised, falls asleep – and wakes
dangerous and violent. He is close to
up in a most unpleasant situation where his
getting caught, but escapes, whereupon
very life is in danger.
Directed by Levan Akin • Duration approx. 60 min.
Episode 5
The Wages of Sin Is Death A bomb explodes in one of Stockholm’s
manner – then suddenly another murder
packed coffee houses. Dåådh’s investigation
takes place that demands his attention.
of the attack is interrupted by an order for him
A respected priest in the state church is found
to put a stop to the illegal church services held
burned to death. Dåådh starts to sense that
by a pietistic congregation – of which Simon
there is an unexpected link between the two
Freund is secretly a member. No sooner has
murders, and that the perpetrator could be
Dåådh taken care of this crisis – in his own
found in unsettlingly close proximity…
Directed by Levan Akin • Duration approx. 60 min.
Episode 6
A Toast to the Scaffold One of Dåådh’s old radical comrades is
Dåådh soon realises that his enemy Märta
accused of treason and hung on the square.
Raxelius must be involved in the theft of
His body is going to be donated to Uppsala
the body. But two more murders take place,
University to undergo dissection for the
and it becomes clear to Dåådh that someone
advancement of medical science.
is ready to kill indiscriminately in order to
But the body instantly disappears, and the
prevent him from uncovering the dangerous
two students who were sent to take possession
truth he has got wind of. And before he
of it are found murdered.
realises it, his own life is also in danger.
Directed by Kristina Humle • Duration approx. 60 min.
Episode 7
The Blind Hand of Fate A number of children are found dead in the
is chosen to carry out the drawing in the
great piles of excrement and rubbish that line
Number Lottery, a popular event where
Stockholm’s shoreline. Dåådh’s investigation
large amounts of money are in play.
leads him to the Great Orphanage, but there
And to Dåådh’s dismay and anger he is
they claim to know nothing about the bodies.
forced to concede that a child’s life is worth
One of the children from the Orphanage
little when money is at stake.
Directed by Kristina Humle • Duration approx. 60 min.
Episode 8
The Die Is Cast A landowner is found dead in the stables
of them to the crime. Any member of
of his estate, kicked to death by his horse.
the victim’s family could have done it,
Dåådh soon determines that the tragic
but the evidence is very scanty. Then the
accident was actually a murder. He has no
chief constable intervenes and decides that
difficulty finding people who bore grudges
the law must run its full course – someone
against the victim, but is unable to tie any
has to be found guilty!
Directed by Kristina Humle • Duration approx. 60 min.
Episode 9
The Voices of the Dead Dåådh is invited up to Uppsala by his old
constable back in Stockholm that will
professor, who needs his help to find out who
affect Dåådh’s future. And furthermore,
poisoned one of his students. Dåådh involves
his old enemy Märta Raxelius has decided
himself in the case and quickly realises that his
to put her planned revenge into action –
own life is in danger. Someone clearly doesn’t
but rather than striking at Dåådh, the blow
like him snooping around. Meanwhile, sub-
lands on someone else altogether…
versive events take place at the home of chief Directed by Rickard Petrelius • Duration approx. 60 min.
Episode 10
A Different Kingdom Dåådh’s world has been shaken to its founda-
around, and even uncovers a crime ring with
tions. His friend Freund has disappeared
connections to the highest levels of society.
and Dåådh’s worst enemy has taken the
But suddenly he is harshly confronted by his
deathly ill chief constable’s place. Through his
own past and is forced to bargain with those in
knowledge of medicine, his courage and his
power in order to save his life. This experience
ability to see patterns in seemingly unrelated
causes him, for the first time, to seriously
events, Dåådh succeeds in turning the situation
question his future as an officer of the law.
Directed by Rickard Petrelius • Duration approx. 60 min.
Main Cast Johan Gustaf D책책dh: Simon Freund: Magdalena Wahlstedt: Carl Fredrik Wahlstedt: Nordin: M채rta Raxelius:
Peter Eggers Joel Spira Linda Zilliacus Johan H:son Kjellgren Richard Turpin Sara Turpin
Production Facts Genre: Country of Origin: Production Year: First Release: Format: Sound: Duration: International Distribution:
Crime Series Sweden 2011 September 2011 16:9 HD 5.1 10 x approx. 60 min AB Svensk Filmindustri
Crew Production Designer Composers Casting Casting Children & Youth Costume Designer
Eva Norén Patrik Berggren & David Åström Tusse Lande Catrin Wideryd Kicki Ilander
Script
Jonas Frykberg Sara Heldt Alex Haridi
Ep. 1-2, 9-10 Ep. 3, 5-6 Ep. 4, 7-8
Story
Tomas Blom
Ep. 3-8
Editor
Louise Brattberg Marinella Angusti Patrick Austen
Ep. 1-2, 9-10 Ep. 3-5 Ep. 6-8
D.O.P
Geir Hartly Andreassen Jan Jonaeus Björn Lundqvist
Ep. 1-2, 6-8 Ep. 3-5, 9-10 Ep. 9-10
Executive Producer Producer Production Company Directed by
Johan Mardell Renée Axö Pampas Produktion Rickard Petrelius Levan Akin Kristina Humle
Ep. 1-2, 9-10 Ep. 3-5 Ep. 6-8
Episode 1 •
Between Blood and Lilacs
Episode 2 •
The Perfumed Pistol
Episode 3 •
Fickle Woman
Episode 4 •
Good Evening, Beautiful Mask!
Episode 5 •
The Wages of Sin Is Death
Episode 6 •
A Toast to the Scaffold
Episode 7 •
The Blind Hand of Fate
Episode 8 •
The Die Is Cast
Episode 9 •
The Voices of the Dead
Episode 10 •
A Different Kingdom
Credits not contractual.
AB SVENSK FILMINDUSTRI SE - 169 86 Stockholm, SWEDEN Telephone: 0046 (0)8 680 35 00 - Fax: 0046 (0)8 710 44 60 E-mail: international@sf.se
www.sfinternational.se