Branagh to play Wallander in TV series

LOS ANGELES, July 14 (UPI) -- Kenneth Branagh is to star in a new TV series based on the Kurt Wallander detective books by Swedish author Henning Mankell, "Masterpiece Mystery" announced.

Branagh, a co-producing partner and longtime fan of the novels, said in a statement his latest character is "wonderfully complex and compelling."

Shot in rarely seen locations in southern Sweden, "Wallander" is to air on "Masterpiece Mystery" on PBS in the spring or summer of 2009.

"We're thrilled to be presenting Kenneth's passion project on 'Masterpiece Mystery," executive producer Rebecca Eaton said in a statement. "'Wallander' will introduce PBS audiences to a stunning part of the world -- and a fascinating new detective."

Branagh, a Northern Irish actor-filmmaker who recently directed a remake of "Sleuth," has starred in the films "Much Ado About Nothing," "Hamlet," "Celebrity" and "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein." He will soon be seen in the big-screen war movie "Valkyrie," opposite Tom Cruise.