It is horror author John Ajvide Lindqvist's novel "Summer 1985" that has been turned into a series under the new title "Svärtan". The story revolves around a group of young people who meet every summer on an idyllic archipelago island.
This particular year, some are still in childhood, while others have rushed into puberty, which creates tension between boys and girls. It is the summer of 1985 and in a few days the charity concert Live Aid will be shown on television - something the young people can't stop talking about.
Then the young people find a mermaid who is trapped on the island of Svärtan.
It's a very nice mix of everyday drama and the crazy supernatural, explains Linus Rogsgård, who plays Johannes.
No Snapchat
It was precisely the mix of the everyday and the supernatural that attracted Amy Deasismont, who is one of the screenwriters behind the series.
There were so many ingredients like horror, the music and the "coming of age" part that were so exciting and also brought back memories of my own teenage years, she says.
The fact that the series takes place in the 80s and not in the present is also crucial to the plot. None of the children have a cell phone. They can “disappear” and fend for themselves on the island - and no videos of the mysterious mermaid are at risk of going viral on TikTok or Snapchat.
They have their secret places and can create their own worlds where their parents can't reach them, in a completely different way than today, explains Amy Deasismont.
Hates 80s music
John Ajvide Lindqvist peppered his novel with references to 1985, and there are plenty of 80s markers in the TV series as well. Rolf Lassgård, who plays an important supporting role in the series, of course remembers the decade, but the young actors each had their own playlist put together by director Björn Stein, with period music for their characters.
"It was a great initiative by Björn. It was a way to get in touch with the characters. I got to see everything that Rolf hates," says Linus Rogsgård, laughing.
You landed a lot in whatever decade it was. It was a building block for building the character.
Rolf Lassgård, 71, grumbles:
"As a music lover, I think the damn 80s are a lost decade. Synthesizers and disco and all that... I'm more for the 70s," he says, smiling.
"Svärtan" premieres on SVT Play on July 24 and comes to SVT1 three days later.
