Filmin Launches Swedish Series The Magnate on Jan Stenbeck
The five-episode drama chronicles the life of controversial entrepreneur Jan Stenbeck, who transformed Sweden's Kinnevik conglomerate into a media.
Key Points
- The five-episode drama chronicles the life of controversial entrepreneur Jan Stenbeck, who transformed Sweden's Kinnevik conglomerate into a media and telecom powerhouse, challenging state monopolies.
Filmin launches the Swedish series *The Magnate* on Tuesday, chronicling the real-life story of Jan Stenbeck (1942-2002), one of Sweden's wealthiest, most influential, and controversial entrepreneurs.
The five-episode drama traces Stenbeck's return to Sweden from Wall Street amid a family crisis, where he takes the helm of the industrial conglomerate Kinnevik. He steers the group away from traditional sectors like steel and timber, pivoting sharply toward telecommunications, private television, and newspapers. This bold shift positions him as a disruptive force, challenging state monopolies and reshaping Sweden's economic landscape.
Stenbeck's ventures include founding the free urban newspaper Metro, which transformed city press models worldwide. The series depicts the building of an empire worth nearly $800 million, alongside the personal toll of relentless ambition: family rifts—particularly between siblings—internal power struggles, and a life of excess and isolation.
Directed by Goran Kapetanovic and written by Alex Haridi, the production stars Jakob Oftebro as Stenbeck, supported by an ensemble cast. Its restrained yet intense style has earned praise as one of Europe's standout recent TV offerings, blending strong performances with a vivid portrayal of profound media and economic upheavals.
Original Sources
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