Over on Channel 4’s platform All4 you can find the Swedish series Threesome, a show that has snuck on there completely under most people’s radars. The show was a big hit when released last year in Sweden and we enjoyed binge-watching all eight 25-min episodes last week.
Threesome follows young Swedish couple David and Siri, who have been together since high school and are now living in London where Siri is studying and David is her supportive but less ambitious boyfriend. They have a strong bond and the familiarity of a long-term couple, until one night they meet French art student Camille, and everything changes.
Matilda Källström who plays Siri talks to Nordic Watchlist about starring in this new hit Swedish show.
How would you describe your new series ‘Threesome’ to those who might not have seen it yet?
The short answer is: it’s about a couple dealing with the aftermath of a threesome. But the real answer is: it’s a very raw and honest story about feeling lost and the journey of trying to find yourself again.
What were your initial thoughts when you read about the role of Siri?
Oh my god, she scared me. To be honest I really thought she was an absolute asshole the first time I read the script. BUT when I got to know her I realised that she is just a human trying her best to find her place in the world.
Yes she does make a few bad decisions but I love a lead part that isn’t 100% perfect. Siri is both the protagonist and antagonist, depending on how you see it. I think everyone can relate to her feeling of being so lost and stuck in a situation and not knowing what to do. Today I love Siri, she is a part of me now, and she actually taught me so much about myself in the process, and I do not think she’s an asshole anymore.
I think everyone can relate to her feeling of being so lost and stuck in a situation and not knowing what to do.
You got to share a lot of intimate scenes with your co-stars. How did you approach those moments and help build trust amongst each other?
Hmm, well it is an interesting process actually. Going into this project I knew that there would be a lot of sex scenes, so I was already from the beginning mentally preparing myself for them. I think the most important thing with those kinds of scenes is the trust you put in the director.
Lisa Linnertorp is an absolutely phenomenal director and her vision for the intimate scenes gave me so much courage. So going into those scenes I had the mindset of ‘’Ok, I’m in good hands here and if we are going to do this I’m going to put 100% of my effort into this, no half-assing it’’.
Going into this project I knew that there would be a lot of sex scenes, so I was already from the beginning mentally preparing myself for them.
The second most important thing is of course the relationship you have with your co-stars. I was so blessed to get the opportunity to work with Simon Lööf, Alma Jodorowsky and Lucien Laviscount. They are all such hard working amazing people and I could not have asked for better colleagues.
Leading up to an intimate scene we always rehearsed it thoroughly so everybody was on the same page and then on set everyone was very respectful and keen to make a beautiful scene. So yeah it was a very fun and tough process, everyone put their heart and soul into those scenes and I’m so incredibly proud of the results.
Did you have an intimacy coordinator involved with the shoot?
Yes we had two wonderful intimacy coordinators, Elisabeth Marjanovic Cronvall and Marta Dauliute. To have their eye on these scenes was crucial. They also made me feel so safe and supported throughout. I could not have done this without them.
The series is set in London, how did you get on with the city and how did it compare to home in Sweden?
Well, we actually did not shoot a single scene in London due to Covid! The entire series was filmed in Malmö, Sweden. Our production designer, Sara Wiklund, outdid herself with finding good London-like locations and making every set feel like we were in England.
What is coming up next for you?
Oh I have a few fun productions coming up that I am not allowed to talk about. I would really love to come overseas sometime and work in the UK for real, that would be awesome.
What was the last book you read, album you listened to, and film/TV series you watched?
Great question! Right now I’m reading Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart. Such a beautiful story about family and addiction. The last album I listened to was probably Nu Funk by Scary Pockets and the last film/TV series… hmm, oh I’m so bad at watching stuff (ironic right?) but I think it was Killing Eve. Yes very late to the party, haha!
The 8-episode series runs at around 25 or so minutes per episode making it perfect to squeeze into your Nordic Watchlist schedule! And you really should be – you can find it on ALL4 now in the UK
Interview by Alex Minnis
I loved the show and acting was brilliant so well done to all. Was not sure if there would be a second season but I am so glad there will be. I have rehersed the next episodes in my head to the extent I found it intriguing in guessing what would come next, so will be interested to see how accurate I am to actual. I felt so sorry for David, he was heart broken at the end so I hope he challenges Siri in new episodes about telling the truth about her other relationship. Siri had the mental image of David and Camille, and I expect the same will occur with David imaging Siri and John. I have played out 2 scenarios in my head, one where David confronts Siri and replays the past months to give her the opportunity to admit her infidelity with John and the second where she still denies the other relationship. So looking forward to the new series. To all involved a great job from actors, directors script writers. I have found it so real and really has me wanting more, and I do not say that to often. I have had to discuss the series with my work colleagues in my delight trying to understand what would happen next. Whatever it will be, I see the 2 of them breaking up but I hope in future they will meet again at a party that Miriam and Mario hold for some occasion, whether it is 1 year later, and who knows if they are single what might happen. Me being a romantic at heart I suppose.