Young Wallander: Season 1

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Mixed or average reviews based on 4 Critic Reviews

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Mixed or average reviews based on 9 Ratings

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5.7

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Young Wallander

Now Playing: Young Wallander

Season Details & Credits

Netflix | Season Premiere Date: September 3, 2020

Summary: Set in contemporary Sweden, a young 20-something Kurt Wallander (Adam Pålsson) investigates his first case in the series inspired by Henning Mankell's character that had previously been central (as an older man) in both a Swedish and British series.

Genre(s): Drama

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E6. Episode 06
Air Date: September 3, 2020
tbd
S1:E6. Episode 6
Air Date: September 3, 2020
tbd
S1:E5. Episode 05
Air Date: September 3, 2020

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Joel Keller

Sep 3, 2020

There is enough going on in Young Wallander, especially the immigration storyline, that will keep viewers watching. But we just wish Wallander himself was a more interesting character. Read full review

The Guardian Ellen E Jones

Sep 3, 2020

Young Wallander ticks off its lead’s familiar attributes in checklist fashion, rarely pausing to offer more developed hints at psychological cause and correlation. Read full review

Shane Ryan

Sep 3, 2020

After two hours, there’s not much here to engage, and not much reason to plow ahead. For some diehard viewers, of which I am one, it is difficult to produce a Swedish detective show that doesn’t appeal on some level, and Young Wallander isn’t so mediocre that it can be tossed completely aside. But with an underwhelming leading man, a muddled identity, and a cliched story, it’s ultimately insubstantial. Read full review

The Telegraph Chris Bennion

Sep 3, 2020

The script treats the viewers like idiots, signposting every plot point and rolling out exposition in inert question-and-answer scenes. Someone literally says “the plot thickens” at one point. They’re not being ironic. Even the incidental dialogue, of which there is copious amounts, is stiff as a board. Read full review

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User Reviews

Venapraga

Sep 8, 2020

It's really good! The atmosphere, the suspense, the characters and cast, all takes the viewer for an exciting ride! I don't know why the pro critics are so harsh. The show gives thrills and you want to watch the next episode. I think Henning Menkell would appreciate the main plot set overIt's really good! The atmosphere, the suspense, the characters and cast, all takes the viewer for an exciting ride! I don't know why the pro critics are so harsh. The show gives thrills and you want to watch the next episode. I think Henning Menkell would appreciate the main plot set over immigrants issues, he used to engage in social issues. The main character is honest, not naive and Adam Palsson is plausible as young Wallander. The mostly Swedish cast and Malmo locations adds authentic touch. I have read all the books and still enjoy the show pretty much!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

imracebannon

Sep 11, 2020

Very engaging. Lots going on. I have enjoyed the lead and the various things he is involved in. Doesn't win every fight but certainly is sticking his nose in and won't give up. I like the tenacity he has and the other characters also. They are well done and compliment the show.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

truerock

May 4, 2022

Henning Mankell’s is a Swedish novelist who has written a series of books about a detective named Kurt Wallander. This is a TV series produced by the Swedish entertainment production company Yellow Bird. The series is dialoged in English - which surprised me - I was expecting Swedish.Henning Mankell’s is a Swedish novelist who has written a series of books about a detective named Kurt Wallander. This is a TV series produced by the Swedish entertainment production company Yellow Bird. The series is dialoged in English - which surprised me - I was expecting Swedish. This video series is a prequel regarding Kurt Wallander when he was a young rookie Swedish police officer - hence the name of the series "Young Wallander".

The Wallander novels (which have sold tens of millions of copies) have been used as the basis for:
A television series on the Swedish TV4 network during 2005 to 2013.
A Swedish television film series produced by Sveriges Television during 2010 to 2015.
A British BBC television series during 2008 to 2016.
There are tens of millions of Wallander fans and I would imagine they will be interested in a Wallander prequel.

So, this is a somewhat awkward attempt at being an edgy, woke, young-adult story that is aimed at a young adult and teen age audience. If you have watched thousands of hours of Law and Order you will probably not be that impressed with Young Wallander. But, I'm cutting this series some slack and assuming it is produced for people who have not watched thousands of hours of Law and Order and/or other crime-law-enforcement drama.

I have watched the first episode of Young Wallander and liked it enough to plan to watch the remainder of the season 1 episodes. I will come back later and perhaps adjust my rating.

I will say that my initial impression is that Adam Pålsson does a very good job portraying Wallander. And, to me... the directing seems to be weak. I am interested to see if the technical parts of the production smooth out after a few more episodes. But, there are things like a really bad child actor in a couple of scenes that I found disturbing in a cringey kind of way.

Keep in mind, if you do not know what Brännvin is and are unfamiliar with Swedish real estate and politics, etc. - then, some of the writing is going to be over your head.

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So, I've completed watching the remaining episodes of the first season of Young Wallander and I've raised my rating from 6 to 7. I watched a little bit of Swedish director Vilgot Sjöman's 1964 film '491' to get into the mood of Swedish film. Adam Pålsson was a good choice to play the role of Wallander. The writing became more interesting. The overall production quality smoothed-out in the remaining episodes.

If you are a viewer who enjoys crime drama I think you'll enjoy Young Wallander.

Reflecting on this series, it has occurred to me that if you are not familiar with the character Kurt Wallander from the dozens of novels and films - you will not be able to fully appreciate Young Wallander. I guess there is not much you could do about that - except, it might help if you take a few minutes to read:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Wallander

and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henning_Mankell

**********

The above review was written 2 years ago. I re-watched season-1 of Young Wallander in preparation for watching season-2 released this year, 2022.

I'm raising my review score from 7 to 8. I'm still impressed with the overall quality of the series - especially noting the quality of the acting for the minor roles. Even the walk-on parts are well cast.

Also, I noticed some cinematography and editing that I felt was of very high quality.

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SEASON 2

Adam Palsson as Wallander, Yasen Atour as Reza Al-Rahman, Leanne Best as Frida Rask, and the other lead actors are better in season 2. And, I think the directing, editing and writing seems to better work with their acting strengths. The cinematography was good in season 1 and it is even better in season 2 - in my opinion.

Unfortunately, a new lead character Sam Osei (played by Adetomiwa (Tomiwa) Edun), the new commissioner replacing Richard Dillane (as Superintendent Joseph Hemberg) is very poorly cast and really takes season 2 down a notch. An unfortunate and oddly mystifying change to the series.
Gary Oliver as the commissioner in season 1 would have been a much better choice.

Richard Dillane (Superintendent Josef Hemberg) was unfortunately killed-off in season 1. He was the best actor in the series. Perhaps he was too expensive and he was cut to make budget.

I don't comment too much about hair, makeup, costumes, props, etc. They are important.
Leanne Best (as Frida Rask) is blond in season-2 and has kind-of a soccer-mom look. In season-1 she had black hair which gave her a darker look more appropriate for her role. They should not have changed Leanne Best's hair and makeup.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TUCUMAN

Sep 5, 2020

Young Wallander. How simplistic are the minds of current writers, producers, and directors like Ben HARRIS that could not create more than a single story, and partial at that, for a year's worth of viewing?
As is the current custom of mediocre, quick profit-making productions, viewers haveYoung Wallander. How simplistic are the minds of current writers, producers, and directors like Ben HARRIS that could not create more than a single story, and partial at that, for a year's worth of viewing?
As is the current custom of mediocre, quick profit-making productions, viewers have been steered to engage again into the trap of a lacking, same story six episodes series with no conclusion and, in obligation, needing continuation in a second season if it is to be produced.
This third iteration of the Wallander saga is the poorest of all, an insult to its creator, [antisemite] Henning MANKELL.
As the enticing previous productions did, a one-story per episode offering is too much to ask the entitled, flawed, simplistic creators of today.
Sadly, good actors, bland production.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

wilbert

Sep 8, 2020

The credibility of movie critics has disappeared for me. I have loved all three versions of Wallander and i have really enjoyed Young Wallander thus far. Excellent choice for the lead. Viewing the ratings here from professional critics is astounding. Why the hate??

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Seasons & Episodes

46

Series Overview
Season 1

46
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 3, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E6. Episode 06
  Air Date: September 3, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E6. Episode 6
  Air Date: September 3, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E5. Episode 05
  Air Date: September 3, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E5. Episode 5
  Air Date: September 3, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E4. Episode 04
  Air Date: September 3, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E4. Episode 4
  Air Date: September 3, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E3. Episode 03
  Air Date: September 3, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E3. Episode 3
  Air Date: September 3, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E2. Episode 02
  Air Date: September 3, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E2. Episode 2
  Air Date: September 3, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E1. Episode 01
  Air Date: September 3, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E1. Episode 1
  Air Date: September 3, 2020