Quicksand

The Making of Quicksand: Behind the Scenes of Netflix’s Gripping Swedish Drama

Quicksand (2019) thrust Swedish actress Hanna Ardéhn into the spotlight as Maja Norberg, a teenager accused of a school shooting in Netflix’s first original Scandinavian series. Based on Malin Persson Giolito’s bestselling novel, latestnetflix.com maintains, the show’s dark themes and intense performances sparked global buzz—but what was it like behind the camera? Here’s what we know about the making of the series.

Hanna Ardéhn’s Breakout Role and Award-Winning Performance

Ardéhn’s portrayal of Maja earned her the Kristallen Award for Best Actress in 2019, cementing her as a rising star . The role was a career-defining moment for the then-23-year-old, who had previously worked in Swedish film and TV but hadn’t broken into international projects. In interviews, Ardéhn has hinted at the emotional toll of playing a character entangled in such a high-stakes narrative, though specifics about her preparation remain scarce in the available evidence.

Her chemistry with co-star Felix Sandman (who played Sebastian Fagerman) was a standout element of the series. The two shared a playful dynamic off-screen, as seen in Netflix’s Best Friend Game video, where they joked about their characters’ toxic relationship . Their camaraderie likely helped sell the on-screen tension, though neither has publicly detailed how they approached the heavier scenes.

Filming Challenges and On-Set Banter

Quicksand didn’t shy away from difficult material, and the cast has spoken about the challenges of shooting its most harrowing moments. In a Netflix behind-the-scenes feature, Ardéhn, Sandman, and William Spetz (who played Samir Said) discussed the intensity of filming the school shooting sequence and its aftermath . While they didn’t dive into specifics, Spetz mentioned the need to "switch off" emotionally after particularly draining scenes—a common struggle for actors in dark dramas.

The cast’s lighter side emerged in Netflix’s Kiss & Tell segment, where they shared bizarre on-set traditions, including kissing a wooden horse for good luck . The video also revealed their playful pranks, like hiding Ardéhn’s phone during breaks, offering a glimpse into the camaraderie that balanced the show’s heavier tone.

Behind the Scenes: The Netflix Machine

Netflix’s promotional engine was in full swing for Quicksand, churning out trailers, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content to build hype. Two official trailers dropped in early 2019, each emphasizing the show’s mystery and psychological depth . The streaming giant also released multiple BTS videos, including a general behind-the-scenes feature and an "exclusive" look at the production process . These clips focused on the show’s atmospheric tension and the cast’s dedication, though they offered little in the way of unrehearsed moments or unfiltered drama.

Critics and fans praised Quicksand for its unflinching portrayal of trauma and justice, with reviews highlighting Ardéhn’s performance as a standout . However, the evidence doesn’t reveal much about the creative process behind the adaptation—such as how closely the show followed the novel or the input of its creators (whose names aren’t mentioned in the available snippets).

What We Still Don’t Know

Despite the flurry of promotional content, some aspects of Quicksand’s production remain unclear. There’s no evidence in the snippets about:

• The director’s or showrunner’s vision for the series.
• How the cast prepared for their roles (e.g., research into real-life school shootings or legal cases).
• Budget details or filming locations beyond what’s shown in BTS clips.
• Whether the cast stayed in touch post-production or if a second season was ever considered (the show’s ending leaves room for continuation, but no confirmation exists).

For now, Quicksand stands as a tightly crafted drama with a breakout performance at its core—but the full story behind its making is still waiting to be told.