Swedish actor Joel Kinnaman moved to Hollywood and ended up becoming part of a TV show — The Killing — that is based on a hit Danish series and filming in a location — Vancouver — similar to his native country. Certainly a long way to travel to end up in familiar settings.
“The series (Forbrydelsen) originated in Scandinavia and this part of the U.S. and Canada (the Pacific Northwest) has a similar climate,” Kinnaman told Metro, adding that the grey skies and frigid temperatures of both areas impact the people.
Kinnaman, who’s name recognition in North America is small despite a large list of hit movies in his home country, moved to Los Angeles about a few months prior to his audition for AMC’s newest series, The Killing. Kinnaman plays Stephen Holder, a new addition to the Seattle homicide division, who along with his partner Sarah Linden, portrayed by Mireille Enos (Big Love), investigate the homicide of teenager Rosie Larsen. Kinnaman said the writing in the pilot drew him to the series.
“I thought (the writing) was very strong,” he said. “It was heart-gripping and exciting. All the characters felt layered.”
This includes Stephen Holden, who’s rough-edges are a sharp contrast to his partner.
“He knows the streets and he understands people. He doesn’t have the regular keys to a proper social upbringing,” Kinnaman said. “He is struggling with a lot of old mistakes.”
And while Stephen and Sarah butt heads at times, Kinnaman thinks that deep down Stephen knows he needs his partner to succeed.
With AMC’s line up of critical favourites like Mad Men, The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, expectations are high for The Killing, and it does not disappoint.
“While I was shooting the pilot I was talking to my parents back home in Sweden and they were watching the original on TV at the time. They were absolutely addicted to the original series,” Kinnaman said. “That series just struck gold.
The two-part series premiere of The Killing airs Sunday, 9 p.m. on AMC.
