7 Steg, the much-anticipated romantic drama directed by Andreas Öhman, premieres in Swedish theatres today, October 17. The film marks pop icon Veronica Maggio’s feature-film acting debut. She also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Öhman.

In 7 Steg, Maggio plays Elle, opposite actor Joel Spira, who stars as Josef. The narrative follows their passionate year of romance, travel, and emotional highs, until Elle suddenly disappears. Josef embarks on a search through their past in an effort to understand what might have happened.

Koka björn (To Cook a Bear) premiered October 15 on Disney+ and has received outstanding reviews. Koka Björn is based on Mikael Niemi’s bestselling novel of the same name, and is directed by Trygve Allister Diesen, with a script by Jesper Harrie.

“Mikael Niemi’s To Cook a Bear has become a juicy, gritty, and stylish northern Swedish western that dares – and succeeds – in doing something truly different. /…/ Well played by screenwriter Jesper Harrie, director Trygve Allister Diesen, and everyone else involved in this bold, delicious, and unique Nordic production.”
★★★★
– Aftonbladet, Sweden

“A lavish adaptation with stunning cinematography. /…/ Swedish screenwriter Jesper Harrie and Norwegian crime director Trygve Allister Diesen have, with just a few changes, created an empathetic portrayal of both the harsh inner and outer landscapes of northernmost Sweden in the 1850s. /…/ The attention to detail reaches every corner of the production, and the creators also dare to take bold aesthetic turns.”

★★★★

– DN, Sweden

To Cook a Bear has become truly excellent television. /…/ It holds nothing back, while also showcasing a masterful command of subtlety. On top of that, it remains suspenseful, even for those familiar with the novel. This is burlesque and intelligent entertainment.
– Dagens Næringsliv, Norway

“I’m delighted. I like how director Trygve Allister Diesen clearly frames and, through visuals, explains what kind of series To Cook a Bear is. /…/ Faith, science, and logic are brought face to face with human evil. The result is captivating.”

★★★★

– Expressen
, Sweden

“The cinematography is without a doubt extraordinary. /…/ A remarkable achievement – a Nordic production that dares to trust its audience, understanding that mystery is built as much through silence as through words.”

★★★★

– Filmtopp, Sweden


“To Cook a Bear quickly proves to be a thriller that is gripping from beginning to end.”

★★★★

– Moviezine, Sweden

The Handbook of Outdoor Interior Design is the book for anyone who wants to make their outdoor space beautiful, whether it’s a patio, terrace, or balcony.

Today, there are countless books on gardening and landscape design, but none that address the design decisions you need to make for your garden or balcony. This book is not about planting or gardening, but about basic design principles that work for most outdoor environments. It outlines recommended measurements and distances for outdoor furniture, tips on buying decorative items based on house type and architecture, common pitfalls to avoid, and tricks to help you create a harmonious integration of both indoors and outdoors.

This is a book filled with inspiring knowledge on how to furnish outdoor spaces, for both beginners and professionals.

Wednesday October 15, Disney+ will premiere Koka björn (To Cook a Bear), a new Swedish historical crime drama and the platform’s first Nordic original series.

Koka björn is based on Mikael Niemi’s bestselling novel of the same name, and is directed by Trygve Allister Diesen, with a script by Jesper Harrie.

The series features an acclaimed Scandinavian cast, including Gustav Skarsgård, Pernilla August, Jonas Karlsson, Magnus Krepper, Simon J. Berger, Ane Dahl Torp and Johan Widerberg.


All six episodes will drop at once on Disney+ across Europe and on Hulu in the U.S.

The Last Boy Rain by Emma Karinsdotter and Bjarke Stenbæk Kristensen has been selected for The White Ravens 2025 list by the International Youth Library’s children’s literature experts. Each year, the International Youth Library collects around 10 000 books from publishers worldwide, from which about 200 titles are chosen for the list and exhibited at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

The selection highlights books of international interest, recognized for their literary and illustrative quality as well as their themes.

Yussra El Abdouni is a Swedish actor known for her emotionally grounded performances, her versatility, and strong on-screen presence. She is equally at home in drama and comedy, seamlessly shifting between emotionally intense roles and lighter, humorous characters.

El Abdouni is an ambitious and passionate performer with a deep commitment to the craft. From the age of ten, she knew this was the path she wanted to devote her life to. She has a particular love for drama and for raw, emotionally heavy scenes, both portraying them herself and watching others bring them to life.

In 2020 she took on the role of Lisha in the critically acclaimed drama Kalifat. Her portrayal of Lisha, a teenager caught between family, faith, and a tightening web of extremism, was praised for its nuance and authenticity, marking her as one of the breakout talents of the series.

She then landed the main role of Angelina in the comedy slasher series Ingen ängel in 2023, which was nominated for Best Youth Drama at the Kristallen Awards.

Her other works include the popular TV series Flykten till Östermalm (2023-2025), Berts dagbok (2020) and the upcoming Håkan Bråkan 003.

Furthermore, El Abdouni has several years of experience in team gymnastics and has trained in Muay Thai, reflecting both her discipline and inner drive. She is also passionate about music, loves to sing and play the piano.

Lise Villadsen and her YA-novel The Supermassive Black Hole Club has been bestowed with the high-profile Danish School Libraries Author Award of 2025 for ‘Book of the Year’.

The award is one of Denmark’s biggest accolades for children’s- and young adult literature and has been bestowed since 1981 to a writer that through their authorship has made an exceptional literary or non-fictional contribution to the experiences and/or knowledge of children and young adults. The award aims to celebrate the literature that truly makes a difference in schools. The nominated authorships are symbolized by a title released in the preceding year that must be of remarkable quality.

Before handing over the accolade during the award ceremony, the jury highlighted that:

“The Supermassive Black Hole Club is a novel, which largely revolves around identity and sense of community – and concepts such as commitment and sincerity.(…) Lise Villadsen has written a terrific book. (…) With loneliness as a starting point, the novel deals with the simple – but certainly not easy – art of having the courage to be yourself. But also to dare to let others in – and that whilst mistakes and white lies can turn out to open doors to others, the lies can also be a risky, knotty and dangerous path to choose.”

Irene has a burning wish: to become a mother.

She is happily married to the priest Thomas, who already has the young daughter Isabella from a previous marriage, and whilst Irene loves her bonus daughter, she longs to have a child of her own. Having tried in vain for many years to become pregnant, they are now faced with starting fertility treatments.

At the same time a new family moves in next-door to their vicarage and Irene, who already has developed a habit of listening in to her husband’s confidential counseling sessions, begin to keep an eye on the neighbors.

Is everything on the other side of the fence really as perfect as it seems? Ought she tell the couple that the church gravedigger is peeking through their windows at night? And is it only in her imagination, or does Thomas have a bit too much chemistry with the neighbor woman? When Thomas begins to act strange and suddenly wishes to withdraw from their fertility treatment, Irene has to get to the bottom of it.

What is she not seeing? What is it that’s preventing her from becoming a mother?

Let the Little Children Come is Lise Villadsen’s adult thriller debut. It is an intense, psychological thriller about paranoia, couple relationships and violent desires.