Apple TV is tackling a subject that has a particularly large audience in German-speaking countries: the bestselling crime novels by the Swedish writing duo Lars Kepler. For the series "Nocturne," however, the story moves from Sweden to the USA – and the well-known detective Joona Linna becomes an American. The worldwide launch is scheduled for October 30th.
With "Nocturne," Apple TV has offered a first look at a new, ten-part crime drama featuring a prominent cast including Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz, and Stephen Graham. The series joins Apple TV's densely packed lineup of dramas, with which the service consistently focuses on high-quality original productions. For crime fiction readers in Germany, the source material is of particular interest - and the question of how the adaptation will translate it.
The source material is two Joona Linna thrillers
"Nocturne" is based on the novels "Lazarus" and "The Sandman" by Lars Kepler. Behind the pseudonym are the Swedish married couple Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril and Alexander Ahndoril, who have been writing the series featuring Detective Joona Linna since 2009. "The Sandman" is the fourth installment in the series and introduced the serial killer Jurek Walter; "Lazarus" is the seventh book, in which this same antagonist returns. Especially in German-speaking countries, where Scandinavian crime fiction is a firmly established genre, these books are perennial favorites.
The source material has considerable reach: the Kepler novels have sold around 20 million copies worldwide, translated into 40 languages and distributed in over 170 countries. For Apple, this is material with a built-in readership – a pattern the service has recently followed with other literary adaptations.
Joona Linna becomes Jonah Lynn
The most striking change concerns the setting. Instead of Stockholm, "Nocturne" takes place in the USA: The main character is Jonah Lynn (Schreiber), a former soldier and later homicide detective who wants to leave the harsh streets of Philadelphia behind and moves to a small town in western Pennsylvania. The name reveals his origin – the Finnish-Swedish Joona Linna of the novels has become the Anglicized Jonah Lynn.
Two central characters, however, retain their names: serial killer Jurek Walter (Graham) and investigator Saga Bauer (Beetz). The series shifts Saga Bauer's role, though - the Swedish security service agent from the books becomes an FBI agent who is also introduced as Jonah's adopted daughter. When the search for Jurek's last missing victim escalates, Jonah sends her into the fray against the killer. For those familiar with the source material, this reworking of the well-known character dynamic is likely to be the most intriguing aspect of the adaptation.
Cast and team behind the series
Besides Schreiber, Beetz, and Graham, the ensemble cast includes Bill Camp, Rory Culkin, Chrissy Metz, Poorna Jagannathan, and Gary Carr. "Nocturne" was created by Rowan Joffé, who also writes and serves as an executive producer; John Hlavin is the showrunner. The first two episodes are directed by Tim Van Patten, known for high-profile productions such as "Masters of the Air." The series is produced by A+E Studios in association with Range Studios; the writing duo behind Lars Kepler is also on board as an executive producer.
Launch and availability in Germany
"Nocturne" launches worldwide on Friday, October 30, 2026, and thus simultaneously in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The first two episodes kick off the series, after which a new episode will be released every Friday until December 25. The series is available with an Apple TV subscription, which costs 9.99 euros per month here. Alternatively, the service is included in the Apple One bundle; when purchasing a new Apple device, it is temporarily available free for three months, plus a seven-day trial period for new customers.
Scandinavian crime fiction for a global audience
Apple's decision to adapt a Swedish bestseller into an American setting follows a clear logic: The Lars Kepler brand brings with it a loyal readership, while the US setting opens the series up to a broader international audience. For viewers in German-speaking countries who know Joona Linna and Jurek Walter from the books, the appeal will lie primarily in recognizing the familiar story in an unfamiliar guise – starting October 30 on Apple TV. (Image: Apple)
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