The psychological thriller series “Veronika” depicts police officer Veronika Gren, played by Alexandra Rapaport, who has a history of mental illness. She begins to have strange nightmares and see mysterious things in everyday life. Suddenly, she also finds a corpse in the forest – and is drawn into a strange murder investigation.
In addition to Alexandra Rapaport in the lead role, the Norwegian Tobias Santelmann, known from among others “Exit”, also stars as Veronika’s husband Tomas. He works as a music teacher and struggles to keep his fragile relationship with Veronika together.
– They live in a small depopulated farm town and Veronika struggles with her mood. She doesn’t really know if she’s going crazy. She is absent and we learn that she is taking pills of some kind, says Rapaport and continues:
– It is a rather complicated murder plot. The strange thing is that it is somehow connected to her past, but she doesn’t understand why and how.
“It’s a rather complicated murder plot”, says Alexandra Rapaport regarding “Veronika”. Photo: Lars Lindqvist
It sounds dark. Are there any glimmers of light in the series?
– It depends on what you see as dark and light. I wouldn’t say it’s full of light, but there are nice relationships in it: two kids and a marriage worth saving.
What were the biggest challenges of playing Veronika?
– I like challenges, so for me it was great to play this role. It’s pretty far from what I’ve done before, and I’ve been looking for something different. That’s really what the challenge is – getting to make different types of people. Veronika is a rather quiet, sorrowful person. It’s quite far from how I myself work.
The actor says that she always wants to do roles that are far from what she has done before.
– It’s just that you’re not always offered that opportunity, so sometimes you have to take it yourself, she says.
In addition to playing the part as Veronika Gren, Alexandra Rapaport is also executive producer and one of the initiators of the series.
Ahead of the premiere, she is hopeful, but also nervous.
– I’m very nervous. When I’m involved in producing myself, I try to create things that I myself want to see, so I hope the audience loves it.
“Veronika is a rather quiet, grief-stricken person. It is quite far from how I myself function.” Photo: Lars Lindqvist
From the beginning, it was intended that the series would be shown on Viaplay, but that was not the case.
– We were adopted by Skyshowtime. I am very excited because the platform is not that established yet and I can help put it on the map in Sweden.
– This is one of the coolest things I’ve done, because of the surroundings, the environment and the atmosphere, she adds.
Where does the series take place?
– In Älvsbruk, which the authors have invented. The place doesn’t really exist. It is a farm somewhere in central Sweden. We have recorded in Dannemora, Gimo and Gysinge, so we have been in different places that suit.
“This is among the coolest things I’ve done, because of the setting, the environment and the atmosphere.” Photo: Lars Lindqvist
How was it?
– We lived in a mansion in Dannemora where it was haunted. There were strange noises. The team was scared shitless, so many strange things happened while we were shooting, someone was sleeping outside in the car. Nothing happened to me, I seem to be completely numb when it comes to such things.
So you weren’t scared?
– No, I’m never scared. Surely it would be the best thing that might happen if you were part of something like that? Then you get an answer.
Do you believe in visits from the “other side”?
– I want to, but I don’t know. I have some kind of spirituality within me, but I can’t answer what it is.
Fakta “Veronika”
Handling: The quiet police officer Veronika Gren is struggling mentally, sees mysterious things and suddenly finds a corpse in the forest. A police investigation takes off and various oddities are discovered.
Some of the roles: Police officer Veronika Gren (Alexandra Rapaport), Veronika’s husband Tomas Gren (Tobias Santelmann) and police officer Nassir (Arvin Kananian).
Director: Jonas Alexander Arnby.
Premiere: March 22 on Skyshowtime Sweden – a streaming service owned by Paramount Global and Comcast.
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