Where the Sun Always Shines Season 2: Kristofer Hivju Joins the Cast
SkyShowtime has renewed its breakout Swedish drama Where the Sun Always Shines for a second season, with Game of Thrones star Kristofer Hivju confirmed as a series regular. Cameras are already rolling on Season 2, which also adds Swedish comedian Johan Glans and actress Celie Sparre to the ensemble. For audiences outside SkyShowtime's European footprint, the show remains — for now — frustratingly out of reach.
What's Happening With Where the Sun Always Shines Season 2
If you're a streaming viewer in India, the US, or the UK without access to SkyShowtime's European service, the news hurts a little: one of the most talked-about Scandinavian dramedies in recent memory just got bigger, and you still can't watch it easily. Deadline confirmed on May 11, 2026 that SkyShowtime — the Comcast and Paramount-owned European streamer — has renewed the Swedish dark comedy Where the Sun Always Shines (originally titled Där Solen Alltid Skiner) for a second season. More significantly, the renewal brings Kristofer Hivju, globally recognized for his role as Tormund Giantsbane in Game of Thrones, into the fold as a series regular. Fellow newcomers Johan Glans and Celie Sparre also join the returning core cast, with production already underway.
Why This Matters for European Streaming and Nordic Drama
The renewal of Where the Sun Always Shines is not just good news for fans of the show. It signals something larger about the direction SkyShowtime is taking as a platform — and about the sustained global appetite for Nordic content.
SkyShowtime launched as a joint venture between Comcast and Paramount to serve markets in Central and Eastern Europe, the Nordics, and Southern Europe, including Spain. Its pipeline has historically leaned on US content from its parent companies — think Paramount+ blockbusters and Peacock originals. But the platform has been deliberately building out local language originals, and Where the Sun Always Shines is the clearest proof that strategy is working.
According to the official SkyShowtime press release, the first season became the platform's biggest viewership success in Sweden and a breakout hit across Europe. That's a meaningful benchmark. Sweden is a competitive streaming market — Netflix, Disney+, and SVT Play all operate there — and for a co-production to outperform expectations on a newer platform says something real about the show's quality and word-of-mouth pull.
The attachment of Kristofer Hivju also matters commercially. His international profile, built largely through Game of Thrones but sustained through projects like The Witcher and Fast & Furious 7, gives the show a hook for non-Swedish audiences who might otherwise scroll past a foreign-language comedy-drama. Casting a Norwegian actor with global name recognition in a Swedish show set in Spain is a quietly clever piece of audience-expansion strategy.
Broader context: Nordic noir and Scandinavian drama have enjoyed a decade-long run of global crossover success, from The Bridge to Borgen to Young Royals. Light-toned Scandinavian dramedies — think Bonus Family, also from director Felix Herngren — have been slower to travel internationally. A second season with Hivju attached could change that calculus for Where the Sun Always Shines.
Background: The Show, Its Creator, and the Cast
Where the Sun Always Shines is a six-part dark dramedy created and directed by Felix Herngren, the filmmaker behind Bonus Family, one of Sweden's most successful Netflix exports. The show is produced by Scandinavian production company FLX, with SkyShowtime and Swedish public broadcaster SVT serving as co-producers. It was filmed on location in Mallorca, giving the series a warm Mediterranean visual identity that contrasts sharply with the messy family dynamics at its core.
The premise is sharp and immediately relatable. Per Lasson plays Tom and Lisa Linnertorp plays Petra — a wealthy Swedish couple who sell their hypermarket business and relocate to Spain, chasing a sun-drenched version of the good life. The dream curdles fast. Tom's 50th birthday party becomes the catalyst for erupting tensions involving his brother Timmy (played by Erik "Jerka" Johansson) and Timmy's wife Maja (Rakel Wärmländer). Season 1 premiered exclusively on SkyShowtime on November 10, 2025.
As reported by Sweden Herald, the renewal was swift — a reflection of how strongly the first season performed. Season 2 picks up directly where the first ended, following both expat families as they attempt to settle into Spanish life while old wounds refuse to close.
Kristofer Hivju takes the role of Anker — described as an eccentric Norwegian intellectual and artist who has turned his back on modernity in favor of an obsession with Roman ideals. It's a character built for Hivju's particular brand of physically imposing, philosophically unhinged charisma. He said of the role: "I loved Season 1, and it's a real joy to join this incredible cast as 'Anker,' a character I hope will bring plenty of life and stir things up where the sun always shines. Working with Felix Herngren and the rest of the team has been an absolute pleasure, and I can't wait for audiences to see what's in store for season two."
Sweden's Grammy-winning artist Molly Sandén performs the title song, which features in the official trailer and adds another layer of cultural prestige to the production.
Where to Watch Where the Sun Always Shines
Here's the honest answer: your options depend heavily on where you live.
- SkyShowtime markets (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, the Nordics, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and others): Both seasons will be available directly on SkyShowtime. This is the primary and currently exclusive home of the series.
- Sweden (SVT): As a co-producer, SVT has broadcast rights in Sweden. Swedish viewers can access Season 1 via SVT Play.
- India: No confirmed availability on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, or JioCinema at the time of writing. This could change if a licensing deal is struck.
- United States: Not currently available on any major US streaming platform. SkyShowtime does not operate in the US market.
- United Kingdom: The UK is not currently a SkyShowtime territory. No confirmed UK streaming home exists for this title yet.
- Spain: Available on SkyShowtime, which is active in Spain — making this one of the few markets outside Scandinavia with easy access.
Readers tracking international availability can check movieott.com for updated streaming listings across regions as distribution deals evolve.
What Viewers Should Know Before Watching
Is Where the Sun Always Shines in Swedish or English? The series is primarily in Swedish, with subtitles available on SkyShowtime. Some scenes may include Spanish dialogue given the Mallorca setting. A dubbed version has not been widely confirmed for international markets.
Do I need to watch Season 1 before Season 2? Yes. Season 2 picks up directly from where Season 1 ends, continuing the story of both expat families. The character arcs, unresolved conflicts, and relationship dynamics established in the first six episodes are essential context.
Who is Kristofer Hivju playing in Season 2? Hivju plays Anker, a Norwegian intellectual and artist who rejects contemporary life in favor of an idealized obsession with ancient Roman culture. He's described as eccentric — which, given Hivju's track record with outsized characters, should be taken seriously.
Is this show connected to Bonus Family or other Felix Herngren projects? Not directly. Herngren created both, and they share a tone — grounded family dysfunction with dark comedic undertones — but Where the Sun Always Shines is an entirely separate story with no character crossover.
When does Season 2 premiere? A specific premiere date for Season 2 has not been announced as of May 2026. Production is currently underway, with cameras rolling since the renewal announcement.
Conclusion: A Show Worth Tracking Wherever You Are
Where the Sun Always Shines has quietly become one of the most compelling arguments for SkyShowtime's investment in local European originals. The Season 2 renewal, combined with Kristofer Hivju's casting, gives the Swedish drama genuine international momentum. Whether that translates into wider distribution deals — bringing the show to Netflix, Prime Video, or platforms accessible in India and the US — remains to be seen. But the trajectory is clear.
SkyShowtime is also building out its Scandinavian slate with sports documentary Schmeichel, crime drama Veronika, and the upcoming series The Trio, premiering June 1. If you're already tracking Nordic content, the platform deserves attention. Keep an eye on movieott.com for real-time updates on when and where Where the Sun Always Shines Season 2 becomes available in your region — because based on Season 1's performance, you won't want to miss it.
