Lena Koppel, born in Sweden with Estonian parents and partly raised in Canada, has an extensive background in television, film, and theatre. She has worked as a screenwriter and director for many years and her debut as an author is with the series about the stubborn and unexpected Maria. The first book of six in the Contrary Mary series will be published in September 2026. 

Lena has a long and well renowned career behind her, where she has written and co-written six feature films, directed several tv-series as well as theatre plays. Her strengths lie in creating comedy/drama and suspense and she is renowned for her warm, humorous, and deeply moving storytelling.

After film studies, her first internship was at Ingmar Bergman’s After the Rehearsal (1983). Among her most acclaimed and award-winning works are Bombay Dreams, Rallybrudar (Rally Chicks), How Many Lingons Are There in the World?, and Saltön.

She has also directed a number of successful children’s and young adult productions, as well as popular television series such as Sommaren med Släkten (The Family Summer).

Author photo

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