Kenneth Branagh turns detective

While the name may not be as instantly recognisable as the previous two, Mankell's fast becoming a publisher's delight. He's sold about 25 million copies of his books about detective Kurt Wallander and has been published in 33 countries.

Branagh, 47, brings the Swedish inspector to life in new three-part series Wallander.

It will be his first appearance on TV in more than five years, but the Oscar-nominated actor jumped at the chance to play the crime-solving expert and co-produce the series.

"What has been so terrific for me about this role is that I was already a big fan of the books and had read them purely for pleasure," he explains.

"My first experience of these books, their stories and characters was entirely as a member of the public enjoying these rip-roaring tales and great whodunnits."

Wallander investigates violent crimes, making the show a world away from the usual tea-time detective yarns.

"The world that he lives in is a raw world where people have to deal with terrible news and with the death of loved ones in terrible circumstances," Branagh says.

"Wallander is very self aware, perceptive and intelligent about human behaviour."

The detective is a weary Everyman type - he's divorced, a diabetic, drinks too much and has a poor diet.

Branagh says these qualities, alongside Mankell's ability to tell gritty, non-glamorous stories, that make Wallander so popular.

"Partly what made the books successful was that readers could experience the stories through Wallander's view of the world," he says.

"Rick Cottan's script captures this and allows the viewers to become a part of how Wallander reacts to what he is seeing and I think this will make the television series very compelling."

The stories are set in the sleepy Swedish town of Ystad, where the scenery is a direct contrast to the violent crimes Wallander is trying to solve.

To ensure the screen version of Mankell's stories reflect his original vision, the BBC decided to do away with computer effects after filming in the UK and the crew headed out to Sweden.

Branagh says this was vital to the the production's success.

"It is absolutely right that we came to shoot in Sweden as they have a different relationship to the landscape," he says.

"People are much more aware of what the environment can do to you in sometimes a bleakish landscape and in that kind of atmosphere it is a really good place for drama."

As well as bringing Mankell's beloved character to life, Branagh had the added pressure of co-producing the series.

"I always think there is a responsibility to try and do something as well as you can and with such a fine writer as Henning Mankell we really wanted to do it justice," he says.

"I think everyone involved already loved the books and the responsibility to get it right was keenly felt by all."

And it seems he was more worried about disappointing the author than anything else.

"I hope that we deliver very compelling stories that make you want to watch from the word go," he says.

"I hope that we deliver images which are unusual that are born out of being in another country, and in another kind of atmosphere."

It's certainly different to Branagh's other recent project - voicing an Irish pub landlord in cult US cartoon The Simpsons. Branagh, who divorced actress Emma Thompson in 1995 and is now married to art director Lindsay Brunnock, follows in the footsteps of luminaries like Tony Blair and Ringo Starr.

But given that he's played Hamlet, Henry V and Iago, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised at whatever he does next.

KENNETH BRANAGH FACTS:

He's a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

He made his West End debut in Another Country, which led to him wining the Society of West End Theatre's Award for Most Promising Newcomer.

In 1985 he founded the Renaissance Theatre Company.

He received a Tony nomination for directing the stage comedy The Play What I Wrote.

He received Academy Award nominations for Best Actor and Best Director for his 1989 production of Henry V.

Wallander begins Sunday November 30 on BBC One.

Kenneth Branagh turns 48 on December 10.