The landscape of Scandinavian television drama has evolved significantly over the past decade. The era of crime shows and Nordic noir dominating the scene has given way to a new wave of auteur-driven content. Creators of the sperm donor series All & Eva, director Johanna Runevad, and producer Sofie Palage, believe that this shift represents a positive change in the industry.
According to Palage, ten years ago, Sweden primarily exported crime shows and Nordic noir to international audiences. However, the success of recent Swedish dramedies such as Love Me and Lust has demonstrated that viewers are open to a variety of genres. This shift in audience preferences has opened up opportunities for directors like Runevad to explore new creative avenues in television.
All & Eva follows the story of Eva, played by Tuva Novotny, who embarks on a journey to find her sperm donor in Denmark. The encounter with her donor, Mads, played by Joachim Fjelstrup, leads to unforeseen twists and turns in Eva’s meticulously planned life. The series combines elements of drama and comedy to explore themes of identity, relationships, and self-discovery.
Runevad cited Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag as a primary source of inspiration for All & Eva. She admired the way Waller-Bridge’s character resonated with audiences, regardless of her actions. To enhance the storytelling, Runevad incorporated a musical voiceover to provide insight into Eva’s thoughts and emotions, taking a cue from the fourth-wall breaking style of Fleabag.
While All & Eva delves into the lesser-discussed topic of sperm donors, Runevad emphasized that the series aims to address broader societal themes through a unique and unconventional lens. The show challenges the notion of planning life meticulously and explores the impact of unexpected emotions on a character who values control and certainty.
Similar to the acclaimed series The Bridge, All & Eva is set in both Sweden and Denmark, filmed in both languages, and features a collaborative crew from the two Nordic countries. Runevad sought to create a “weird love story” between the neighboring nations, showcasing their different approaches to sperm donation and highlighting the complex relationship between Sweden and Denmark.
During the production of All & Eva, the team faced challenges in communication and cultural differences between the Swedish and Danish crew members. Palage humorously mentioned the struggle of getting the crew to communicate in English rather than their native languages, which led to some misunderstandings. These cultural clashes mirrored the themes of the series, adding another layer of authenticity to the story.
All & Eva stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of Scandinavian television drama. By embracing auteur-driven storytelling, exploring unconventional themes, and fostering international collaborations, the creatives behind the series have contributed to a new wave of innovative and boundary-pushing content in the industry.