Prime Video and Scanbox Bet Big on Swedish Spy 'Hamilton'

Prime Video and Scanbox Entertainment will develop a new slate of theatrical films and streaming series based on "Hamilton," Jan Guillou's bestselling Swedish espionage franchise. The deal pairs the Nordic distribution group's theatrical muscle with the streamer's global reach, and a new actor will inherit a role previously played by Stellan Skarsgård, Peter Stormare and Mikael Persbrandt.

The projects are in active development. Dramanation, the Swedish producer owned by Scanbox, will produce alongside Germany's Odeon Fiction, part of the Mediawan group. Casting, directors and further creative attachments are expected in the coming months.

Who is Carl Hamilton?

Hamilton is an elite Swedish intelligence officer, trained as a U.S. Navy SEAL, who navigates covert missions and shifting geopolitical alliances. Guillou's novels have sold more than 10 million copies internationally and have spawned film and television adaptations across the decades. Think of him as Scandinavia's answer to the long-running spy reboot economy — recast regularly, never quite retired.

Who is making it?

Patrick Nebout executive produces for Dramanation, with credits including "Midnight Sun," "Whiskey on the Rocks" and the previous "Agent Hamilton" television reboot starring Jakob Oftebro. Britta Meyermann ("Spy City," "Deadwind," "The Seed") executive produces for Odeon Fiction.

"Amid ongoing global power shifts and rising chaos, Jan Guillou's Hamilton feels more urgent and relevant than ever. He is an enduring, complex and unique Scandinavian icon with true crossover appeal worldwide," Nebout said.

"And it's not just a man-with-a-gun concept, there is a lot more depth, nuances and political awareness to this character," Nebout added. "Our vision is to bring all the nuances from Guillou's novels to the surface, and I'm thrilled to team up with Odeon and Britta Meyermann on this project."

He called the arrangement "the unique theatrical and streaming partnership with Scanbox Entertainment and Prime Video" and said it "paves the way for many exciting iterations as we explore the vast Hamilton universe."

What does the deal signal?

The structure is the story here. Feature films are designed for theatrical release; series go to streaming. It's a two-front franchise strategy, which is rare in a market that usually picks one lane.

Brad Morley, head of content acquisitions, Nordics, at Prime Video, framed the deal as part of the streamer's push for locally rooted stories with global appeal. "The Hamilton franchise is exactly the kind of bold, internationally resonant storytelling we champion at Prime Video," Morley said. "Jan Guillou created one of Scandinavia's most compelling heroes, and we're thrilled to bring this iconic series to a new generation of viewers alongside Scanbox, Odeon Fiction, and Dramanation."

Scanbox, part of the European distribution group Vuelta, gets to use its theatrical distribution business alongside Prime Video's streaming footprint — the practical logic behind the partnership.

"Hamilton has been a fixture of Nordic popular culture for decades, and at Scanbox we believe the time is right to introduce him to a new audience," said Thor Sigurjonsson, CEO of Scanbox Entertainment.

"Teaming up with Dramanation, Odeon Fiction, and Prime Video lets us give this story the scale it deserves, in cinemas and on screen at home. Jan Guillou created a character that resonates far beyond the Nordic region, and we're committed to doing justice to that legacy," Sigurjonsson said.

Annica Bellander Rune, local marketing and acquisitions manager at Scanbox, and chief commercial officer Torben Thorup Jørgensen will also executive produce, alongside Prime Video's Morley.

What comes next?

Expect casting news and director announcements within months. Three actors have played Hamilton before; a fourth is now being sought for a franchise that wants both cinema screens and streaming queues at once.