The character of Ove was originally meant to drown as the main characters decided not to interfere, passingly allowing him to die. This was ultimately considered too dark and was never shot.
'Solsidan' means "The sunny side" and it's a real residential area just southeast of Stockholm. Most of the series is actually filmed in and around this place.
The caracter Ove is also in the Swedish adoption of "The Office" where Ove is the manager. The Swedish version is called "Kontoret", which means the office.
Writer, director and actor Felix Herngren wrote the screenplay for, and directed, Le vieux qui ne voulait pas fêter son anniversaire (2013), which were nominated for best makeup at the 88th Academy Awards 2016.