The Queens of Sweden

Synopsis

This unique documentary series sheds light on eight of Sweden's queens. Each episode is dedicated to one of our queens and her fascinating life story, from childhood to the last breath - always one step behind her king, but with great power to influence both politically and culturally. The series is based on real events from Swedish history from the 16th century until the 1930s that have never been told in a format like this before. The reconstructions take place at castles and manors around Sweden, including Stockholm Castle, Rosersberg Castle and Gripsholm Castle. Many times in the same place as the real event took place. In addition, environments have been created that will take place in Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Egypt, and the Netherlands.

First Air Date: 2020-10-15

Last Air Date: 2020-12-03

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 8

Created By: Sofia Helin

Networks: TV4

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Jonathan Sand as Ung adelsman

Seasons

Season 1 (2020)

Here we follow the lives of some of Sweden's most fascinating queens. Among period costumes and fantastic environments, the actress Sofia Helin leads us through history and meets powerful women who have been involved in shaping our time.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: The Queen from the Street (2020-10-15)

Series start. Karin Månsdotter (1550-1612) began her life as an orphaned and hard-working girl. When King Erik XIV meets her, he falls instantly in love and Karin has no choice but to marry him. Suddenly she is surrounded by enemies.
Ep. 2: The queen who could do as she pleased (2020-10-22)

Kristina (1626-1689) becomes queen when her father falls during the battle of Lützen. Queen Kristina loves power but suddenly abdicates and moves to Rome. When she also converts to Catholicism, the scandal is a fact.
Ep. 3: The Queen of the Great Power Sweden (2020-10-29)

Hedvig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp (1636-1715) comes from a family of 15 siblings and grows up to be a strategic power player in power for almost 60 years. She has great influence over both her husband Karl X Gustav and future kings.
Ep. 4: The Queen Who Wanted to Be at the Center (2020-11-05)

This time it is about the queen who secretly sells the Swedish state's diamonds in order to carry out a coup. Lovisa Ulrika of Prussia (1720-1782) is well educated and hyperintelligent. But when King Adolf Fredrik dies, everything changes.
Ep. 5: The Involuntary Queen (2020-11-12)

Fredrika av Baden (1781-1826) is only a child when she marries Gustav IV Adolf who loses Finland in the war against Russia. The royal couple are deposed and the divorce a few years later is the only royal ever. The traces of them are deleted. All but one.
Ep. 6: The Reluctant Queen (2020-11-19)

The world-famous and lively Désirée (1777-1860) is engaged to Napoleon Bonaparte but soon becomes Sweden's first Bernadotte queen. The meager life at the court in Stockholm, however, makes Désirée bored and she moves back to Paris.
Ep. 7: The Queen Who Wanted to Be Loved (2020-11-26)

The shy princess Louise of the Netherlands (1828-1871) marries the widower Charles XV. Louise struggles to fit into the role of queen. But her life is fraught with personal tragedies and the love for the king remains unanswered.
Ep. 8: The Queen Who Lived a Double Life (2020-12-03)

Last part. At a time when the royal family is having less and less to say about, Victoria of Baden (1862-1930) becomes queen. She is super talented and strong-willed with Vasa blood in her veins. But her health is weak and her marriage to Gustav V is complicated.