The Swarm (series)

***The Swarm*** (German: **Der Schwarm**) is a German co-produced science fiction television series directed by Barbara Eder, Luke Watson and Philipp Stölzl. Adapted from the eponymous novel by Frank Schätzing, the series depicts the struggle of humankind against an unknown swarm intelligence that lives in the depths of the sea.

Produced with an estimated budget of 40 million euros, which makes it the most expensive German TV production (produced in English) of all time, it had its world premiere at 73rd Berlin International Film Festival in Berlinale Series on 19 February 2023, where first 3 episodes out of 8 were screened out of competition. *The Swarm* was available for streaming on ZDF from 1 March 2023. It was also made available on RAI, France Télévisions, Viaplay, Movistar, ORF, SRF and Hulu Japan from March 2023. It began screening in Australia on June 7 on streaming service Binge. The US distribution rights were sold to The CW in May 2023.

## Cast

* Cécile de France as Dr. Cécile Roche
* Alexander Karim as Dr. Sigur Johanson
* Leonie Benesch as Charlie Wagner
* Joshua Odjick as Leon Anawak
* Takuya Kimura as Aito Mifune
* Krista Kosonen as Tina Lund
* Rosabell Laurenti Sellers as Alicia Delaware
* Barbara Sukowa as Prof. Katharina Lehmann
* Kim Mousa as Mesuli
* Oliver Masucci as Captain Jasper Alban
* Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Samantha Crowe
* Claudia Jurt as Dr. Natalia Oliviera
* Kari Corbett as Iona
* Jack Greenlees as Douglas MacKinnon
* Lydia Wilson as Sara Thompson
* Takehiro Hira as Riku Sato
* Klaas Heufer-Umlauf as Luther Roscovitz
* Eidin Jalali as Rahim Amir
* Franziska Weisz as Sophia Granelli
* Andrea Guo as Jess
* David Vormweg as Tomas
* Dutch Johnson as Jack Greywolf O'Bannon

## Production

Frank Doelger announced in 2020 at Cannes, as part of the International Market for Television Programs (MIPTV), that his next TV series *The Swarm* was going to be the adaptation of novel *The Swarm* by Frank Schätzing. The series was produced by ZDF within the framework set by the European Alliance, with France Télévisions and RAI, and in co-production with ORF, SRF, Viaplay Group and Hulu Japan who formed the joint venture 'Schwarm TV Productions GmbH & Co KG'. The series is the first project from Doelger-led Intaglio Films, a joint venture formed in 2019 by the German production company Beta Film and ZDF Enterprises.

The international cast is selected by casting director Robert Sterne, and includes European actors, Cécile de France, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Jack Greenlees, Lydia Wilson, Krista Kosonen, Alexander Karim, Leonie Benesch and German star Barbara Sukowa with Japanese actors Takuya Kimura and Takehiro Hira. American actors Rosabell Laurenti Sellers and Dutch Johnson, and Canadian Joshua Odjick also feature in the series.

The script was written by Steven Lally, Marissa Lestrade, Chris Lunt and Michael A. Walker in consultation with experts, such as polar and deep-sea researcher Professor Antje Boetius, from the Alfred Wegener Institute, and Dr Jon Copley, professor of Ocean Exploration from the University of Southampton. Barbara Eder, Luke Watson and Philipp Stölzl directed the series.

Filming began on 7 June 2021 in Italy and Belgium. The final scenes of the series were filmed at a 23 million euro underwater studio on the outskirts of Brussels.

## Future

In an interview, Barbara Eder confirmed that there are already ideas for a second season, but their implementation still has to be decided after the figures for the first season have been evaluated.

## Reception

Mike McCahill reviewing for *Variety* wrote that the series is reassuringly straightforward and familiar. McCahill opined, "Its briny pulp – dredged from Frank Schätzing’s 2004 novel, preys heavily on viewer fears of ecological collapse, and what might be lurking for us all beneath the planet’s watery depths".

The series featured in the list of six international dramas to watch in 2023, published by Deadline Hollywood. Oliver Armknecht reviewing for film-rezensionen.de graded the series 5 out of 10, criticised the visuals and opined that there was not much to do for the ensemble. In conclusion Armknecht wrote, "The global threat can only be felt in a few places, If you don't know the story, you may be surprised at the strange occurrences, at least at first - especially since some maritime attacks are really perfidious."

## References

1. ↑ The Swarm (Der Schwarm). *Berlinale.* 16 January 2023.
2. ↑ Frank Schätzing rechnet mit »Der Schwarm«-Verfilmung ab (Frank Schätzing settles accounts with »The Swarm« film adaptation) *Spiegel.* Mirror Group. February 15, 2023.
3. ↑ Whittock, Jesse. Berlinale Series Unveils Eight World Premieres & TV Jury. *Deadline Hollywood.* 16 January 2023.
4. ↑ Staskowiak, Julia. Schon vor TV-Ausstrahlung: So seht ihr die Serienadaption eines maritimen Sci-Fi-Epos vor allen anderen ("The Swarm" is now streaming - even before the TV premiere: broadcast dates, plot and cast at a glance) *Kino.de.* 1 March 2023.
5. ↑ Vlessing, Etan. CW Nabs Big-Budget Euro Series ‘The Swarm’ for U.S. *The Hollywood Reporter*. May 18, 2023.
6. ↑ White, Peter. Scandinavian SVOD Viaplay Boards 'The Swarm' From ‘Game Of Thrones’ Exec Producer Frank Doelger *Deadline Hollywood.* 26 February 2020
7. ↑ The Swarm Crew United. 5 February 2023
8. ↑ Boffey, Daniel. ZDF targets international sales and will dub eight-part series for domestic audience. *The Guardian*. 8 October 2021.
9. ↑ Staskowiak, Julia. "Der Schwarm" Staffel 2: Wie steht es um eine Fortsetzung der ZDF-Thriller-Serie – Ende erklärt ("The Swarm" Season 2: What about a continuation of the ZDF thriller series - the end explained). *kino.de.* 17 March 2023
10. ↑ McCahill, Mike. ‘The Swarm’ Converts Ecological Collapse Into Pacy, Briny Pulp: Berlinale TV Review. *Variety*. 20 February 2023.
11. ↑ Goldbart, Max. Six International Dramas To Watch In 2023: Dystopian Thrillers, Scandi Adaptations & Cult Indie Remakes. *Deadline Hollywood.* 24 December 2022
12. ↑ Armknecht, Oliver. Der Schwarm (The Swarm). *film-rezensionen.de.* 23 February 2023.

## External links

* *The Swarm* at Berlinale
* *The Swarm* at Cineuropa
* *The Swarm* at ZDF in German