In the annals of Cold War blunders, few are as inherently comical as a Soviet submarine running aground in neutral Swedish waters. This real-life incident, a geopolitical farce of the highest order, provides the backdrop for “Whiskey on the Rocks,” a new Nordic political satire coming to Disney+ (select countries) and Hulu (U.S.) on January 22, 2025. For those who prefer their history served with a side of wry absurdity, this six-episode series offers a binge-worthy deep dive into international bumbling.
The show focuses on Swedish Prime Minister Thorbjörn Fälldin, caught in the awkward position of mediating between the superpowers after the submarine’s very public mishap. With Reagan and Brezhnev at loggerheads, Fälldin likely had his hands full — a diplomatic tightrope walk between escalating tensions and the ever-present threat of nuclear annihilation. All while trying to figure out how to politely ask the Soviets to get their sub off his lawn, so to speak.
“Whiskey on the Rocks” boasts a creative pedigree that may pique the interest of viewers beyond those with a penchant for Cold War history. The producers of the Oscar-nominated film “The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared” are behind this project, aiming to translate their quirky comedic sensibilities to the small screen. The series stars Rolf Lassgård, Elsa Saisio, Anders Mossling, Niklas Engdahl, Filip Berg, Adam Lundgren, Kęstutis Stasys Jakštas as Leonid Brezhnev and Mark Noble as Ronald Reagan.
Swedish viewers, naturally, get a first crack at the series, with a Christmas 2024 premiere on SVT1. The rest of the world will have to wait until the new year to stream the complete series. This co-production between SVT and The Walt Disney Company Nordic & Baltic represents the first Nordic Original series for Disney+, perhaps signaling a growing appetite for international content with a distinctive flavor.
“Whiskey on the Rocks” was filmed in Sweden and Lithuania.
The series airs on Disney+ (select countries) and Hulu (U.S.) on Tuesday, January 22, 2025. Swedish viewers can catch it on SVT1 during Christmas 2024.
