In Sweden, from where Wallander originates, it's not really known as a TV series but a straight to video film series, with some key parts premiered in theaters. Only later, usually 1-2 years, were the films shown on TV. This used to be a common release cycle for Swedish crime series.
After filming completed on season 2, Krister Henriksson stated that he would not play Wallander again, having only signed the new contract because he thought the 2005-2006 series could have been better. However, he later indicated that he would be interested in playing the role in an adaptation of the final Wallander novel because "it is the definite end" - this came true with Den orolige mannen (2013), which opened the final season.
The first season of thirteen films was produced in 2005 and 2006, with one taken directly from a novel and the remainder with new story lines suggested by Henning Mankell. The second season of thirteen films was released between 2009 and 2010, while the third and final season consisted of six films released 2013.
Fredrik Gunnarsson (Svartman) also played a guest role in the BBC version of the series, Les enquêtes de l'inspecteur Wallander (2008).
Due to Johanna Sällström's suicide in 2007, the character of Linda Wallander was written out of the second season (the in-universe explanation was that she was working elsewhere), before returning in the third season played by a new actress.