Harald Hamrell is a Swedish director and screenwriter with a strong legacy in both television and film. Known for his versatility and storytelling instinct, he has played a vital role in shaping some of the country’s most beloved and internationally recognised drama series.
Over the past decades, Harald has built a career marked by creative consistency and audience impact. His early start in filmmaking with a Super 8 camera — which began during his teens alongside a successful career as a child actor — laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication to visual storytelling.
He served as the concept director on the award-winning period drama Vår tid är nu (The Restaurant). The series earned a Kristallen Award and quickly became one of Sweden’s most acclaimed productions in recent years. His work on Äkta människor (Real Humans) – a critically acclaimed sci-fi drama sold to over 50 countries – was also widely celebrated, receiving the prestigious Prix Italia.
Harald has also been recognised for his contributions to the long-running crime series Beck, directing multiple films between 1998–2008. In addition, he directed the historical spy mini-series Ramona, which earned a nomination for Best Mini-Series at the International Emmy Awards.
Among his earlier works is the coming-of-age drama Vinterviken (Winter Bay), which garnered a Guldbagge nomination for Best Screenplay, and the award-winning Om Stig Petrés hemlighet (Nothing to Be Ashamed Of), which earned a Kristallen Award and multiple international prizes at the Reims International Television Festival.
Currently, Harald continues to develop new projects for both Swedish and international audiences, with a focus on emotionally charged drama and character-driven storytelling.
The Restaurant/Vår tid är nu - TV Series (conceptual director) - 2017-2019, 10 episodes Miss Friman's War - TV Series (director) - 2015-2017, 9 episodes Äkta människor/Real Humans - TV Series (conceptual director) - 2012-2013, 10 episodes Arne Dahl: Misterioso - TV Mini Series (director) - 2011, 2 episodes Beck - TV Series (director) - 1998-2009, 11 episodes Livet i Fagervik - TV Series (director) - 2008, 4 episodes Om Stig Petrés hemlighet/Nothing to be Ashamed Of - TV Mini Series (director) - 2004, 3 episodes Ramona - TV Mini Series (director/writer) - 2003, 2 episodes En häxa i familjen - Feature (director) - 2000 In Bed with Santa - Feature (contributing writer) - 1999 Winter Bay/Vinterviken - Feature (director/screenplay) - 1996 Snoken - TV Series (director) - 1993-1995, 4 episodes Storstad - TV Series (director) - 1990-1991, 12 episodes
AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
The Restaurant/Vår tid är nu Kristallen (Swedish Emmy Award) – Winner, Best Drama
Äkta Människor/Real Humans Prix Italia – Winner
Arne Dahl: Misterioso British Dagger Award – Nominated
Om Stig Petrés hemlighet/Nothing to be Ashamed Of Kristallen – Winner, Best Swedish Drama
Reims International Television Festival – Winner, Professional Jury Prize
Reims International Television Festival – Winner, Best TV Series
Ramona International Emmy – Nominated
En häxa i familjen Lübeck Nordic Film Days – Winner, Prize of the Children's Jury - 2000
Winter Bay/Vinterviken Guldbagge (Swedish Academy Award) – Nominated for Best Screenplay – 1997
