Based on Mikael Niemi‘s bestselling novel To Cook a Bear (Koka björn), the highly anticipated limited series of the same name premieres tomorrow, October 15, on Disney+. The six-part drama stars Gustaf Skarsgård (Vikings, Oppenheimer) as Pastor Lars Levi Laestadius, a radical preacher, and Emil Kárlsen (Let the River Flow), a young Sámi boy Jussi who becomes his protégé as they investigate a series of chilling murders in the remote 1850s Swedish village of Kengis.
Gustaf Skarsgård as Pastor Lars Levi Laestadius and Emil Kárlsen as Jussi in To Cook a Bear. Photo by Marcel Kopp
“The end of the 1800s was a very interesting time in the northern parts of the Nordics and it´s been a privilege to bring Mikael Niemis’ great thriller to the screen. We shot ‘To Cook a Bear’ in over 40 different locations in Finland and the northern parts of Sweden, using the stunning Nordic landscape to deepen the drama and show both the beauty and brutality in the wilderness. It is a dark and intense story about social exclusion, truth, and humanity with an amazing Nordic cast.”
Gustaf Skarsgård, Actor & Associate Producer
Jonas Karlsson. Photo by Sami KuokkanenPernilla August. Photo by Sami KuokkanenMagnus Krepper. Photo by DisneySimon J Berger. Photo by Sami KuokkanenTyra Wingren. Photo by Marcel KoppeJo Wierberg. Photo by Sami KuokkanenPernilla August and Ane Dahl Torp. Photo by Sami Kuokkanen
Northern Sweden, 1852. A new pastor (Gustaf Skarsgård) and his family arrive in the isolated village of Kengis. With a strong belief in justice and change, he challenges the local elite but faces resistance as his fiery sermons ignite hope for a better life among the poor farmers. At the same time, the village is shaken by disappearances and frightening rumours of bear attacks. When the pastor and his Sámi foster son, Jussi (Emil Kárlsen), lead the search, they make a horrific discovery that creates deep rifts in the village’s fragile community. The pastor is drawn into a dangerous battle, where forbidden love, power struggles, and brutal acts push the village toward a violent reckoning where no one is safe. What are the villagers willing to do to protect themselves, and where does the line between justice and vengeance lie?
Trygve Allister Diesen. Photo by Sami Kuokkanen
Directed by Norwegian filmmaker Trygve Allister Diesen (Wisting, Crime), the 6-episode character-driven crime drama is filmed on location in Sweden and Finland, intertwining stunning Nordic landscapes with complex relationships and a haunting, slow-burning mystery.
“This visually striking crime drama is a testament to the richness of our stories, the talent of our region, and the global appeal of Nordic storytelling. The story is unparalleled with its deep character portraits and unexpected turns. We can’t wait for audiences around the world to experience this grim tale of violence and redemption that we’ve created together with the talented team behind and in front of the camera”.
Vibeke Lia, Director Programming & Production, The Walt Disney Company Nordic & Baltic
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To Cook a Bear is penned by Jesper Harrie (Blinded, Bonus Family) and produced by Mia Wellin at AnagramSweden, known for the Swedish series The Thin Blue Line, for Disney+. Miira Paasilinna and Martin Persson serve as Executive Producers for Anagram Sweden alongside Nanna Mailand-Mercado for The Walt Disney Company Nordic & Baltic.
About Disney+
Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. Outside the U.S., it also includes the general entertainment content brand, Star. The flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, Disney+ offers an unmatched collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.
Source: Disney+ Photo credits: Sami Kuokkanen, Marcel Koppe, Disney+
This post/page may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. For details, visit our Affiliate Disclosure page.
Based on Mikael Niemi‘s bestselling novel To Cook a Bear (Koka björn), the highly anticipated limited series of the same name premieres tomorrow, October 15, on Disney+. The six-part drama stars Gustaf Skarsgård (Vikings, Oppenheimer) as Pastor Lars Levi Laestadius, a radical preacher, and Emil Kárlsen (Let the River Flow), a young Sámi boy Jussi who becomes his protégé as they investigate a series of chilling murders in the remote 1850s Swedish village of Kengis.
Photo by Marcel Kopp
The series is supported by a stellar Nordic ensemble cast, including Ane Dahl Torp (The Wave, Charter), Simon J. Berger (Exit, End of Summer), Pernilla August (Star Wars, Blackwater), Magnus Krepper (Queen of Hearts, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest), Jonas Karlsson (A Piece of My Heart, The Snowman), Tyra Wingren (The Boy Next Door), and Johan Widerberg (The Wife, A Man Called Ove).
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Watch the official trailer for To Cook a Bear:
Synopsis
Northern Sweden, 1852. A new pastor (Gustaf Skarsgård) and his family arrive in the isolated village of Kengis. With a strong belief in justice and change, he challenges the local elite but faces resistance as his fiery sermons ignite hope for a better life among the poor farmers. At the same time, the village is shaken by disappearances and frightening rumours of bear attacks. When the pastor and his Sámi foster son, Jussi (Emil Kárlsen), lead the search, they make a horrific discovery that creates deep rifts in the village’s fragile community. The pastor is drawn into a dangerous battle, where forbidden love, power struggles, and brutal acts push the village toward a violent reckoning where no one is safe. What are the villagers willing to do to protect themselves, and where does the line between justice and vengeance lie?
Directed by Norwegian filmmaker Trygve Allister Diesen (Wisting, Crime), the 6-episode character-driven crime drama is filmed on location in Sweden and Finland, intertwining stunning Nordic landscapes with complex relationships and a haunting, slow-burning mystery.
Advertisement
To Cook a Bear is penned by Jesper Harrie (Blinded, Bonus Family) and produced by Mia Wellin at Anagram Sweden, known for the Swedish series The Thin Blue Line, for Disney+. Miira Paasilinna and Martin Persson serve as Executive Producers for Anagram Sweden alongside Nanna Mailand-Mercado for The Walt Disney Company Nordic & Baltic.
About Disney+
Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. Outside the U.S., it also includes the general entertainment content brand, Star. The flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, Disney+ offers an unmatched collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.
Source: Disney+ Photo credits: Sami Kuokkanen, Marcel Koppe, Disney+
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This post/page may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. For details, visit our Affiliate Disclosure page.
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