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Swedish broadcaster SVT, who won two awards at Series Mania in March (best actor for Amanda Jansson for “My Brother” and the Spectateurs Séries Mania label for “Burden of Justice”), is achieving high national ratings and a festival bonanza.

“We have had a fantastic look for 2025 and 2026, equally promising,” said SVT drama director Johanna Gårdare while unpacking exclusively for Variety its 2026-27 slate, headlined by the Canneseries competition entry “Summer 1985.”

In fact, several high-profile SVT shows drew big audiences last year, led by SF Studios’ film adaptation of Astrid Lindgren’s “Seacrow Island,” represented worldwide by Beta Film, which averaged 1.95 million views per episode, a feat for a country of 10 million people. Other hits included the FLX-produced “Vanguard,” which won best series and best actor (Jacob Oftebro) at the Monte Carlo Festival and averaged 1.2 million views, while Filmlance International’s “My Brother” premiered on December 26 with an average of 1.6 million views so far.

These hits come on the heels of Dramanation’s “Whiskey on the Rocks,” Disney+’s first Nordic original that was co-produced with SVT, won the Prix Italia 2025 and was watched by nearly 1 in 6 Swedes, reported Variety.

SVT is currently following a similar success rate at home with Strive Studios’ legal drama “Burden of Justice” from “Snabba Cash” creator Jens Lapidus. Released on February 20 on the SVT Play streaming service, the show has averaged more than 1.1 million views per episode so far, more than double the goal of 500,000 and 205% above forecasts. “It is by far the biggest show in Sweden this year,” says Gårdare, who has given the green light to the second season, which will premiere in 2027.

Elaborating on SVT’s editorial line and strategy, Gårdare, who was promoted from director of children, youth and family programs to director of theater in December 2024, says she has an annual drama budget of between €25 million and €30 million ($30 million to $35 million), with €10 million ($11.7 million) earmarked for feature films, short films and documentaries.

Within the TV drama branch, it has so far been able to commission eight to nine quality series a year, representing a mix of genres, based on original scripts or high-profile IP, such as “Summer of 1985”, adapted from the novel of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist (“Let the Right One In”, “Border”), or the upcoming thriller “The Cold Song” directed by Mikael Marcimain (“Blackwater”), based on a novel by Linn Ullmann.
“Our goal is to offer series with a clear genre that attract and entertain a large audience,” emphasizes the head of drama.

While the double narrative recipe, with ethical and social layers as well as entertaining plots, sticks to the Swedish broadcaster’s DNA, a new approach has focused on “hopeful and kind stories to provide warmth and comfort when the outside world is dark.” Gårdare cites the 2025 hit “Love in Session” (“Parterapi i Gagnef”) written by Wilhelm Behrman (“Pressure Point,” “Caliphate”), a romantic comedy set in a “kind and trusting community,” which successfully captured the zeitgeist.

traveling series
Most importantly, Gårdare has had to prioritize stories that travel and quality over quantity to counter domestic budget cuts and rising production costs, tough measures already implemented by many of his European counterparts.

“Production budgets have doubled in the last 5 to 10 years, but the problem is that our investment in each show, around 50-60%, has not changed. We can’t afford as many shows and we have to raise more money internationally,” explains Gårdare, who says that the ripple effect of the cuts in his drama division will be felt for the first time in 2028. “Our annual investment of 1.5 to 2 million euros (of 1.7 to 2.3 million dollars) in development that has been key to offering high-end content, will be reduced by 10% and we will order only seven series starting in 2028,” he says.

Looking ahead, Gårdare says he will continue to focus on co-productions, especially with Northern Europe, and within the framework of the European alliances N12 Nordic and New8 that have successfully expanded the drama offering at SVT.

Among the upcoming releases, three are N12 co-productions: “Burden of Justice” Seasons 1 and 2 and a “Thin Blue Line Christmas Special”, which will be distributed in Denmark (DR), Norway (NRK), Finland (YLE) and Iceland (RÚV); Two others are New8 titles, so they have the same partners in the Nordics, plus VRT in Flanders/Belgium, ZDF in Germany and NPO in the Netherlands.

As for collaborations with global streaming services that have produced 11 shows since 2017, Gårdare says SVT will be flexible and prioritize a first-window model, with the second window being discussed on a case-by-case basis. “In fact, we have a second window with SkyShowtime on the dramedy “When the Sun Always Shines,” which is doing very well on our platform, and on “The Trio,” scheduled for October 2026 on SVT Play. Then we’ll co-produce again with Netflix, the upcoming season 5 of ‘Bonus Family,’ with Netflix launching six months after us.”

When asked about his biggest hopes for 2026-27, Gårdare says he is looking forward to the release of “Summer 1985”: “I hope the Canneseries and Swedish audiences love it as much as we do!” – and to the premiere of “Thin Blue Line, Christmas Special.”

“From a broader perspective,” he adds, “I hope that we curators dare to take more risks to ensure creative renewal and innovation in television series. I also hope that independent producers will help us curators, challenge the sector and try to stop the trend of 100% series financing, so that we can maintain a certain volume and keep the industry going.”

A closer look at SVT Drama’s 2026 schedule and tentative titles for 2027.

2026
“The burden of justice” (“Hundarna”, 8X45′)
Legal drama thriller from “Snabba Cash” creator Jens Lapidus, directed by Lisa Linnert. Produced by Strive Studios in co-production with N12, Film i Väst. Released in February. Sold by

“When the sun always shines” (“När solen alltid skiner”, 6X30′)
Sky Showtime Original in co-production with SVT. A dark drama from hitmaker Felix Herngren and his FLX team, about a Swedish couple’s new life in Mallorca that comes with many surprises. Released in March.

“The Danish Woman” (“Danska konen”, 6X50′)
Icelandic-French comedy-drama by Benedikt Erlingsson, co-produced by Arte/ZDF, Slot Machine, Gullslottid and ZikZak Filmworks. The show about an eccentric secret agent in Reykjavik made its world premiere at Series Mania 2025 and in March 2026 in Sweden. Sold by The Party Film Sales.

“Something familiar” (“Skilsmässobarn”, 8X30)
Drama about adult children dealing with the emotional burden of their parents’ divorce. Co-created by Felix Herngren’s daughter, Vera Herngren, and Felicia Danielsson, who co-stars. Directed by co-writer Patrik Gyllström (“The Congregation”) for FLX, in association with YLE. Premiered on April 17 on SVT.

‘Summer 1985’ (“Svärtan”, 6X45′)
A coming-of-age thriller with an element of magical realism, based on the book by John Ajvide Lindqvist and adapted by Amy Deasismont, Melina Maraki. “The Bridge” creator Björn Stein serves as concept director. The Canneseries 2026 competition candidate film is produced by Media Res International in co-production with ZDFNeo and Film Stockholm. It premieres in July and the fifth season is in charge of sales.

“Diagnostics” (“Diagnosis”, 6X40′)
Produced by FLX in co-production with SVT, Film i Väst, in collaboration with YLE, RÚV.
Created by author Jessica Ericstam with Maria Nygren, Linn Gottfridsson. Sofia Adrian Jupither (“Limbo”) is the conceptual director. Dramady revolves around Bella and Elliot, their families, and the daily chaos that comes with living with ADHD and autism. It premieres early this fall on SVT.

“The trio” (“Trion”, 6X30)
SkyShowtime Original produced by SF Studios in co-production with SVT, Film Stockholm and North Train Media.
A heated coming of age adapted by Veronica Zacco (“Top Dog”) from a novel by Johanna Hedman, directed by Anders Hazelius. It premieres in October on SVT, with Eccho Right handling sales.

“Thin Blue Line Christmas Special (“Tunna blå linjen, July Special”, 4X60′)
After three successful seasons, the popular realistic police show set in Malmö returns as a special Christmas gift from production company Anagram Sweden to its fans. Saara Cantell and Pontus Kläbge co-direct from a script by creator Cilla Jackert. The co-production with N12, Film i Skåne, will be sold by ITV.

“Accidental Santa Claus” (“Den ofrivillige tomten”, 24X15′)
Christmas calendar from the producers of the acclaimed “Pressure Point”, Art & Bob, co-produced by SVT with Film Stockholm. Mikael Syrén directs. It premieres in December 2026.

2027 to date
“The burden of justice” Season 2 (“Hundarna S2” 8×45′)
Return season of the hit legal drama starring Björn Bengtsson, Arvin Kananian, Kit Walker Johansson and Tiril Wishman. Filming on the Strive Studios series begins in September with a premiere planned for March 2027 on SVT. Co-produced by N12, Film i Väst and DR Sales in charge of sales.

“The Cold Song” (“Det dyrbara”, 6X45′)
Produced by Miso Film Sweden, in co-production with SVT, Film i Väst, New8. A psychological thriller that explores the strength and fragility of family bonds, based on a best-selling novel by Linn Ullmann, adapted by Anna Bache-Wiig, Siv Rajendram Eliassen and Maren Louise Käehne. Mikael Marcimain (“Blackwater”) is director and co-writer. It opens in April 2027. Fremantle is handling sales.

“The shadow of guilt” (“I skuldens skugga”, 6X45′)

Crime drama based on an idea by bestselling author Camilla Läckberg and her “Fjällbacka Murders” universe, directed by Lisa Farzaneh (“Young Royals”, “Quicksand”). On August 18, filming begins on the program produced by Creative Society Production, in co-production with SVT, Film i Väst, New8. Premiere scheduled for summer 2027.

“Extra family T5” (Bonusfamily 5, 6X45′)
Long-awaited season 5 of the successful FLX comedy-drama, co-produced by SVT and Netflix. Vera Vitali and Erik Johansson reprise their roles as Lisa and Patrik navigating life with their children and exes. Directed by Måns Herngren from a script by Ditta Bongenhielm and Moa Herngren.