Liev Schreiber, Stephen Graham, and Zazie Beetz Join Forces for Apple TV+’s Gritty Adaptation of Lars Kepler’s Joona Linna Crime Thrillers

If you thought true crime fatigue was real, think again—because Apple TV+ is about to drop a Nordic-noir bombshell that could shake up your binge list. In what’s shaping up to be a gritty, pulse-pounding adaptation, Liev Schreiber, Stephen Graham, and Zazie Beetz are reportedly set to star in a new Apple TV+ series based on Lars Kepler’s wildly popular Joona Linna crime novels. Cue the eerie Scandinavian snowfall and psychological trauma!

Let’s dive into why this casting is genius, what the Joona Linna series is all about, and why this could be Apple TV+’s answer to Mindhunter meets The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo—with better lighting.

If you’re not yet obsessed with Lars Kepler’s work, allow us to ruin your weekend plans. Lars Kepler is the pseudonym for the Swedish husband-and-wife writing team Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril and Alexander Ahndoril. Their Joona Linna series has sold millions of copies worldwide, known for its intense plots, chilling villains, and emotionally damaged detectives who always seem one coffee away from total collapse.

The books follow Finnish-Swedish detective Joona Linna as he dives headfirst into some of Scandinavia’s darkest criminal underworlds. These aren't your garden-variety whodunits. Think: serial killers, hypnotism, psychological warfare, and enough Nordic gloom to make your SAD lamp cry.

Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan, Spotlight) is no stranger to portraying morally ambiguous men with emotional baggage. While not officially confirmed in which role he’ll appear, fans are already picturing him as the brooding Joona Linna himself—a stoic figure who wrestles with trauma, loss, and the occasional murderer.

Stephen Graham (Peaky Blinders, Boiling Point) might just be the wildcard Apple TV+ needs. His knack for playing intense, layered characters makes him perfect for any of the deranged antagonists the Joona Linna universe is known for. Honestly, Graham playing a disturbingly calm serial killer? Sold.

Zazie Beetz (Atlanta, Joker) is the secret sauce of this trio. Her cool intensity and screen presence could bring a modern edge to the otherwise bleak Scandinavian setting. Rumors suggest she may take on the role of Saga Bauer, a profiler who gets dangerously close to the criminals she’s hunting. Either way, we’re watching.

Let’s face it—Apple TV+ is slowly but surely becoming the underdog streaming platform we didn't know we needed. With prestige projects like Severance, Silo, and Slow Horses, they’re not afraid to get dark, cerebral, and occasionally weird. Adding a psychological thriller franchise with international pedigree is just what the algorithm ordered.

Not only does the Joona Linna series already have a built-in fanbase, but the books also offer enough source material for multiple seasons. Translation: this isn’t a one-hit wonder; this is the start of what could be Apple’s very own Scandi-noir empire.

Production timelines and official character announcements are still under wraps (classic Apple secrecy), but if this dream casting becomes reality, it’s safe to say we’re in for a binge-worthy crime drama that’ll leave us sleeping with the lights on.

Between Schreiber’s gravitas, Graham’s intensity, and Beetz’s effortlessly cool energy, this Apple TV+ adaptation of Lars Kepler’s Joona Linna novels is shaping up to be your next crime drama obsession. Whether you’re a fan of twisted thrillers, character-driven storytelling, or just want to hear someone mutter “this goes deeper than we thought” in a Swedish accent—this series checks all the boxes.

Stay tuned, because when this hits our screens, it’s going to be murderously good.

Are you ready to dive into the dark world of Joona Linna? Who do you think should play the chilling Jurek Walter? Let us know—and don’t forget to dust off your winter coat, because Scandinavian crime drama is coming.