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BBC One has announced production is set to begin on a final three-part series of the Sir Kenneth Branagh-led detective drama "Wallander".

Filming will commence shortly on a trilogy of 90-minute episodes which will adapt the two remaining works by Henning Mankell featuring the character.

The first will be based on the 1993 novel "The White Lioness" which James Dormer ("Spooks") is adapting. The other two will be a two-part adaptation of Mankell's final novel "The Troubled Man" which Peter Harness ("Doctor Who") will adapt.

In a statement, Branagh says: "I always approach each series of Wallander with anticipation and excitement, but this last series of films contain some of the greatest challenges the character has ever faced. It's a privilege to try to meet them, and I look forward to a great Swedish Autumn working on Henning Mankell's masterly creation."

Branagh has played the role in nine TV...

Kenneth Branagh is to return for a final series of Wallander.

The British actor will start filming a fourth run of the crime drama in 2015, reports Radio Times.

The BBC One series - based on the popular Swedish drama of the same name and the original Henning Mankell books - is likely to conclude with three more specials.

The new series is expected to be a one-part adaptation of The White Lioness, followed by a two-parter based on Mankell's final novel The Troubled Man.

BBC One's version of Wallander began in 2008, followed by runs in 2010 and 2012.

The series - which previously featured Tom Hiddleston among the cast - has won six BAFTAs including Best Drama Series.

Ronan Bennett, the writer behind Michael Mann's "Public Enemies," will write most of the fourth and final series in the Kenneth Branagh-led "Wallander" for the BBC and Left Bank.

The three 90-minute episodes include an adaptation of Henning Mankell's "The White Lioness" and a two-part adaptation of the very dense "The Troubled Man". Bennett is slated to handled both parts of 'Trouble', it's unknown as yet who'll pen the 'Lioness' adaptation.

Production is aiming to begin in Summer 2014 for an early 2015 transmission on the BBC and PBS. However, the BBC has not yet formally greenlit the new series.

The multi-bafta winning drama, which also starred Tom Hiddleston in the first two series, has consistently pulled in audiences over the nine telemovies to have aired thus far.

Branagh is presently directing Disney’s live-action "Cinderella" feature.

Source: Screen...

Exclusive: Public Enemies writer on for finale to Kenneth Branagh TV series.

Ronan Bennett, writer of Johnny Depp gangster film Public Enemies, is to write the final episodes of Left Bank-bbc crime series Wallander starring Kenneth Branagh.

The fourth and final outing for the hit series based on Henning Mankell’s acclaimed novels will comprise three 90-minute episodes, an adaptation of The White Lioness and a two-part adaptation of The Troubled Man, which Branagh has previously described as “a very dense and brilliant novel”.

Bennett, who more recently wrote and produced Channel 4 drama serise Top Boy, is on board to write at least the final two episodes with the writer of the first episode to be confirmed.

Screen understands that the production is aiming for a summer 2014 shoot and that all original production partners are on board, though the BBC has not yet formally greenlit the series.

The Troubled Man, Mankell’s final...

Kenneth Branagh has revealed that he hopes to make more Wallander. The crime drama - based on Henning Mankell's novels - recently wrapped its third series on BBC One, with the new episodes now airing in the Us on PBS Masterpiece. "If we went into a fourth series, which we hope to with three more films, they would probably include The White Lioness - a book that has not been adapted before in any of the Wallander series, which is set in South Africa," Branagh told Assignment X. The actor went on to confirm that the final two Wallander episodes would be based on Mankell's final book featuring the character, The Troubled Man. "We would make two films (more)...

The newly knighted Kenneth Branagh returns as grizzled and brooding Swedish detective Kurt Wallander to UK screens soon (best guess is July) for a third series of "Wallander" based on two of the novels and one of the short stories by Henning Mankell.

Speaking about the three telemovies with The Guardian, the main arc for this series will be Wallander's relationship with his adult daughter after the death of his father (David Warner).

Branagh says he hopes to turn the remaining two key novels - 'The White Lioness' and 'The Troubled Man' - into the basis for a fourth and final series.

"We've been talking of doing The Troubled Man [Mankell's recent and final Wallander mystery] in two parts, maybe with The White Lioness as well. That might provide a strong arc over what would probably be the final three English Wallanders. That would be my instinct" says Branagh.

"The Avengers" star Tom Hiddleston...

Kenneth Branagh used to find playing Wallander so grim, he went to flower shows to cheer himself up. Vicky Frost joins the newly knighted actor in Sweden to talk about the latest series – and his plans to write a drama about his Belfast childhood during the Troubles

You don't often see Kurt Wallander smiling. Frowning, yes; considering something deeply, yes; worrying away at a problem, yes – but not smiling, let alone grinning. Yet, as I watch the Swedish detective climb out of his Volvo and carry in his shopping, he is looking positively contented. Kenneth Branagh, playing the Swede, is delighted I have arrived on set in time to witness such a moment. "It's very rare!" he says after the scene has been shot. "I had to write the smile on my script so I would remember it."

The low farmhouse behind us is still being warmed by the lazy Swedish sun.

What? You Wouldn't Pay To Read My Column! Gasp!

First off, apologies to anyone who suffered a heart attack last week after reading my fake item that Glee was killing off Blaine! But, hey, I have to entertain myself somehow. Just be happy I didn't announce that CBS had bought the show and was going to completely de-gay it.

Btw, I must say my feelings were so hurt by my other April Fool's joke when not a single person said they'd be willing to sign up for AfterElton.com if we had a paywall!

Oh, well... At least I know now how much you care. On my own....

So what's up this week? Hmm, well, I think I'm going to get to do a set visit to a certain show a lot of you folks are interested in, but I don't want to jinx that, so I can't tell you which show just yet.