The premiere episode became a viewer success, according to TV4. But the recording for "Mauri and Morberg – on a small journey" eventually became too much for the actor Per Morberg, who chose to leave the production in the middle of a trip to Argentina.
It was such a tight schedule. So little sleep and so much work. It didn't add up. You can't fly 20 hours and then sleep 5 and work 16. I'm not 25 anymore, says Per Morberg over the phone, while he marks out echoes in the forest.
"Love each other"
It had been intense, with drag shows, grouse hunting, and horse riding. After a long flight, Morberg would then cook pepper steak in a kitchen with inadequate equipment. When Mauri Hermundsson wanted to talk about masculinity after dinner, Morberg couldn't take it anymore.
Is it an inherent problem with the entire program concept, which builds on the fact that it should be awkward between you and Mauri?
It works because we love each other so much. It's just that we have a little different grip. But we are so fond of each other. It's important to remember that. We call and chat. It's a clever and interesting and energetic guy. But it was a bit too high tempo, says Morberg.
"Not staged"
After Morberg leaves the program, Mikael Persbrandt and Carola Häggkvist step in to replace Morberg in upcoming episodes.
It seems convenient that Persbrandt and Carola stepped up. Is this staged in some way?
No, it's not. It just got a bit too heavy. At least as I felt then. Then I might have been able to bite the bullet and just done it. But right then I felt it was the third trip and it had been so intense.
Morberg says he was back on track barely a week later.
It wasn't like I broke down. It was just that I felt what the hell am I forcing myself to? There's a limit when you have some kind of self-insight.
Morberg gives a somewhat ambiguous answer to the question of whether he would return for another season.
You should never say never. We say in chorus that "no we can't", but of course we do.
TT has sought Mauri Hermundsson, who responds by saying he is overworked and cannot give an interview. In a written comment, he describes the departure as a result of "cooperation difficulties" between him and Morberg.
To TV4 News he says:
It feels so clearly sickly sad that Per is leaving. When he's in the mood, he's one of the funniest and most charismatic people I've ever met.
