WALLANDER

Kenneth Branagh to appear in BBC Entertainment television series.

Running from June 29 to July 1 from 20h30 to 22h00 on BBC Entertainment on DStv is Wallander, a three-episode series starring Kenneth Branagh (Valkyrie, The Boat That Rocked) as Kurt Wallander, Anne-Brit Hoglund (At Home With The Braithwaites, Jane Hall) as Sarah Smart and David Warner (Hogfather, The Titanic) as Povel Wallander.

Directed by Philip Martin (Prime Suspect) and produced by Simon Moseley (The Wings of the Dove, Still Crazy), the series is based on the novels by Henning Mankell and adapted by Richard Cottan (Colditz).

The dramas follow Swedish Inspector Kurt Wallander – a middle-aged everyman – as he struggles against a rising tide of violence in the apparently sleepy backwaters in and around Ystad in Skane, southern Sweden.

In this first film, Sidetracked, a girl is seen wandering alone in a rapeseed field. Inspector Wallander is called to investigate. Before his eyes, the girl douses herself in petrol and burns to death – the event is both shocking and baffling for Wallander. A hunt for the girl’s identity begins.

Recently estranged from his wife, Wallander has moved into his own place. Linda, his grown-up daughter, is keeping an eye on her dad as he adjusts to bachelor life. Wallander’s relationship with his own father, Povel, is difficult and, as it becomes clear that Povel’s health is in decline, Wallander strives for reconciliation with him.

Meanwhile, Wallander’s workload soars as three apparently motiveless murders are committed. The victims are all male: a former minister of justice, a small-time criminal and a rich playboy. All are viciously killed, their scalps inexplicably taken. Wallander and his team investigate, determined to discover who the killer is and how these murders are connected.