New Börje Salming Series is Crushing Streaming Records in Sweden

Swedish streaming platform Viaplay, internationally known for its focus on Nordic Noir, has shifted its lens to capture the story of Börje Salming, the Swedish star player of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 70s.

 

The series became the streaming platform's most-watched first episode of an original series upon its premiere in Sweden last weekend, perhaps unsurprisingly, given the hockey icon's enormous fan base and unprecedented impact on hockey worldwide. Salming was the first European player to gain star status in the National Hockey League (NHL.) 

 

 

 

The six-part drama series follows Salming from his youth as an indigenous hockey player growing up in Sweden's northernmost town Kiruna, via his professional career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, to land in the NHL Hall of Fame. 

 

“We are so proud and excited to be a part of this journey,” says Amir Chamdin, who created and directed the series.

 

 

 

Valter Skarsgård, the sixth child of actor Stellan Skargård and younger brother of actors Alexander, Gustaf, and Bill Skarsgård, plays the lead role of Börje Salming. "We put everything into this series, and that it would become a hit with viewers after just 24 hours is something I could never have dreamed of," says Skarsgård.

 

The cast features Hedda Stiernstedt ("One More Time") as his wife Margitta, and Jason Priestley ("Beverly Hills, 90210") as talent scout Gerry McNamara, who discovered Salming and brought him to Toronto, among others.

 

“I grew up in the 70s, so doing this project was super fun for me,” says Priestley. “I watched Börje play hockey on television for years! Every Saturday night in Canada, the country stops and watches hockey.”

 

 

 

Salming was personally involved in the project until he tragically passed away from ALS last year.

 

"It was a big thrill for me to meet one of my childhood idols," says Priestley. "But I could also tell, even at that point in time - I met him in September, and he passed away in November - that his mind was still sharp, but his body was failing him. And that was difficult, that was sad. But he had an incredible heart. Even though his body was failing him, he still wanted to meet people and to be a part of this production, and that's really admirable."

 

"I think Börje would have been so happy," says Valter Skarsgård of the successful biopic.