If you’ve just about finished Netflix’s current catalogue of shows (which, same tbh), you’ll likely have devoured the buzzy series Quicksand.
The Swedish drama series is centred on Maja, a seemingly well-adjusted teenager who finds herself on trial for murder following a school shooting in which she was the sole survivor. As the events of the tragic day are revisited, her complicated relationship with her boyfriend, Sebastian, and his wealthy family also becomes clearer.
The show is super compelling and (sadly) quite topical—and we got to wondering about the story behind it.
Is Quicksand Based On A Book?
Is Quicksand Based On A True Story?
What Is Quicksand About?
Quicksand is about more than the tragic event. It’s also about myriad other issues, such as the wealth divide, class-ism, and racial tensions. Both the book and the show are set in one of Sweden’s wealthiest neighbourhoods, Djursholm. In the same interview with Bookreporter.com, Malin said: “In society today, there is no political issue more important than the growing gap between the richest and the poorest.”
The fact that the book’s author was also a practising lawyer for several years (and is the daughter of a criminologist) means that the depiction of the main character’s murder trial is about as accurate as you could hope. Intrigued? You’ll have to watch for yourself.
Who Is In Quicksand‘s Cast?
The protagonist Maja is played by Hanna Ardéhn, a 25-year-old Swedish actress who, according to her Instagram (@hannaardehn), is also studying psychology. She’s had a handful of other TV roles in her native Sweden, and also stars in thriller The Name of the Game.
Maja’s boyfriend Sebastian is played by Felix Sandman, who interestingly is perhaps better known in Sweden as a singer-songwriter, and a former member of the boy band FO&O. He now has a solo career and if Instagram is anything to go by.
With 462k followers and counting, it’s safe to say he’s a bit of a big deal in his native Sweden. Oh, and if you recognise the actor who plays Peder, David Dencik, that might be because he appeared in the Australian series Top of the Lake.