Anna Kinberg Batra scandal affected David Batra's new TV series

During the recording of David Batra's new TV series, his wife Anna Kinberg Batra had to resign. The chaos preceding her resignation is now depicted in the program. I had said okay to my life being documented, and then this happened. You couldn't imagine this beforehand, says David Batra to TT.

» Published: October 16 2024

Anna Kinberg Batra scandal affected David Batra's new TV series
Photo: SVT

Share this article

The former Moderate Party leader Anna Kinberg Batra was until very recently the Governor of Stockholm. In the SVT series "First Lady", her husband, comedian David Batra, strives to become the best "first lady" he can – from the first formal reception at Tessin Palace to the point when the couple moves out of the residence prematurely.

Under the guidance of his mentor Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg, Batra travels the world to learn everything about the role and to gain new perspectives.

Residential Obligation

Personally, Batra hardly knew what a Governor was when his wife got the job:

I had to find out what this old strange title actually meant. I had, for example, no idea that people with this title have a residential obligation, i.e., they must live on the job, he says.

He describes moving into the baroque palace in central Stockholm as "a pretty absurd thing".

It's about making it a home even though it's an official place where other people come and go. It was a challenge that we try to depict in the program, says Batra and continues:

I've hardly had time to reflect on the fact that I've been right in the middle of it.

In other series, such as "Hårt väder" and "Världens sämsta indier", Batra also functions as a kind of explorer, but "First Lady" is also more of an inner exploration, according to Batra.

My career is built on talking, making things up, and performing. During this year as "first lady", I had to learn not to talk so much myself but to listen instead. It was quite nice not to be holding forth all the time, he says.

The Door was Open

It's not the first time Batra's wife has left office just before the premiere of one of his shows about her career. In 2017, he had to quickly redo his entire stand-up show "Elefanten i rummet" because she resigned as party leader just weeks before.

Depicting the turbulent spring that led to Anna Kinberg Batra's resignation as Governor was self-evident.

We had opened this door to following me as I try to become a good companion, and then this happens. There's not much to ask for, you just have to take it with you, says Batra.

"First Lady" premieres on October 22.

Anna Kinberg Batra was appointed Governor and head of the Stockholm County Administrative Board in 2023. In the spring, Kinberg Batra's recruitment of three higher officials, whom she was personally acquainted with, was questioned.

The controversy led to the matter being investigated by the Chancellor of Justice and the National Anti-Corruption Unit.

On September 27 this year, the government announced that Kinberg Batra had to leave her post.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Alicia Vikander Stars in New Putin Drama Film with Jude Law
3 MIN READ

Alicia Vikander Stars in New Putin Drama Film with Jude Law

Marie and Bill Nylander Buy One Euro House in Italian Renovation Project
2 MIN READ

Marie and Bill Nylander Buy One Euro House in Italian Renovation Project

New Ice Age Film Boiling Point Premieres February 2027
1 MIN READ

New Ice Age Film Boiling Point Premieres February 2027

Protesters in Venice Rally Against Gaza Conflict During Film Festival
1 MIN READ

Protesters in Venice Rally Against Gaza Conflict During Film Festival

Bob Hund Fans Parade Through Stockholm Ahead of Final Concert
1 MIN READ

Bob Hund Fans Parade Through Stockholm Ahead of Final Concert

Mads Mikkelsen Talks Filming Challenges for The Last Viking
3 MIN READ

Mads Mikkelsen Talks Filming Challenges for The Last Viking

Critics Disappointed by Hov1's Farewell Concert in Stockholm
2 MIN READ

Critics Disappointed by Hov1's Farewell Concert in Stockholm

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein Debuts at Venice Film Festival
3 MIN READ

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein Debuts at Venice Film Festival

Hov1 Bids Emotional Farewell to Fans at Stockholm Concert
3 MIN READ

Hov1 Bids Emotional Farewell to Fans at Stockholm Concert

Yasin's Canceled Concerts in Sweden: What It Means for His Career
3 MIN READ

Yasin's Canceled Concerts in Sweden: What It Means for His Career

Neil Young Criticizes Trump with New Song on White House Fascism
1 MIN READ

Neil Young Criticizes Trump with New Song on White House Fascism

Social Democrats Summon Culture Minister Over TV4 Network Exit
1 MIN READ

Social Democrats Summon Culture Minister Over TV4 Network Exit

TV4 Exits Terrestrial Network: How to Know If You're Affected
3 MIN READ

TV4 Exits Terrestrial Network: How to Know If You're Affected

Audience Conducts Swedish Symphony Orchestra with AI at Baltic Sea Festival
1 MIN READ

Audience Conducts Swedish Symphony Orchestra with AI at Baltic Sea Festival

TV4's Exit from Terrestrial Network Impacts Public Service Funding
1 MIN READ

TV4's Exit from Terrestrial Network Impacts Public Service Funding

Russian Composer Rodion Shchedrin Passes Away at 92
1 MIN READ

Russian Composer Rodion Shchedrin Passes Away at 92

Danny Ramirez to Lead and Produce New Scarface Film
1 MIN READ

Danny Ramirez to Lead and Produce New Scarface Film

Jireel Replaces Yasin at Kristianstad's Trädgården Festival
2 MIN READ

Jireel Replaces Yasin at Kristianstad's Trädgården Festival

Jon Olsson's Wedding Featured in New Reality Series Star Wedding
1 MIN READ

Jon Olsson's Wedding Featured in New Reality Series Star Wedding

Minister Calls Gaming Industry Meeting on Grooming Concerns
1 MIN READ

Minister Calls Gaming Industry Meeting on Grooming Concerns