HARLD 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 recognized drama series.
Over the past decades, Harald has built a career marked by creative consistency and audience impact. His early start in filmmaking with his Super 8 camera — which began in his teens alongside a successful run as a child actor — laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication to visual storytelling.
He served as the conceptual director for the award-winning period drama Vår tid är nu (The Restaurant). The series earned a Kristallen Award (Swedish Emmy) 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. The format was later adapted into Humans by Channel 4 and AMC.
Harald has also been recognized for his contributions to the long-running crime series Beck, directing multiple entries between 1998 and 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 Script, and the award-winning Om Stig Petrés hemlighet (Nothing to Be Ashamed Of), which earned a Kristallen Award and multiple international prizes at the TV festival in Reims.
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 Om Stig Petrés hemlighet - Kristallen - Winner - Best Swedish Drama Om Stig Petrés hemlighet - Reims International TV Festival - Professional Jury Prize - Winner - Best TV Series Ramona - International Emmy - Nominated Arne Dahl - Misterioso - British Dagger Award - Nominated Winter Bay/Vinterviken - Guldbagge (Swedish Academy Award) - Nominated - Best Screenplay - 1997 En häxa i familjen - Lübeck Nordic Film Days - Winner - Prize of the Children's Jury - 2000
