'Clark': What is the true story behind the new Swedish Netflix series?

Bill Skarsgard stars in Clark. (Netflix)
Bill Skarsgard stars in Clark. (Netflix)
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Netflix launches new Swedish drama series Clark today, featuring the life of the notorious, charming criminal who gave rise to the phrase "Stockholm syndrome".

Directed by Jonas Åkerlund and starring Bill Skarsgård as Clark Olofsson, it promises to be a must-binge series.

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Here's all you need to know about Clark and the story behind it.

When is Clark available to watch?

The six-episode Swedish series is available to watch in full on Netflix in the UK from today, Thursday 5 May.

What is the true story behind Clark?

Olofsson committed a range of crimes. (Netflix)
Olofsson committed a range of crimes. (Netflix)

Most of us are familiar with the phrase "Stockholm syndrome", meaning when hostages develop a bond of loyalty to their captors while they are being held and after their release.

But what you might not know is that the phrase was first used in 1973 when four hostages taken captive by Clark Olofsson during a bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, refused to testify against him and even defended him.

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Although Clark is a fictional series, it is based on Olofsson's autobiography where he wrote about the truths and lies he told to fool all of Sweden to fall in love with him, despite several counts of drug trafficking, attempted murder, assault, theft and dozens of bank robberies.

The Swedish people loved Olofsson despite his crimes. (Netflix)
The Swedish people loved Olofsson despite his crimes. (Netflix)

Jonas Åkerlund, director and writer of Clark, said: "Swedish rockstar criminal Clark Olofsson is famous all over the world for a reason. He is a master manipulator, a black belt seducer, a media blitz with a psychotic mind and everything in between.

"With wit to match his skills with manipulation, this series will take the viewer on a journey back to the swinging 60s and 70s and onward into the darkness of the late 70s and 80s.

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"It’s the Clark Olofsson story we have not seen before. All told by the Stockholm syndrome man himself – the puzzling man behind all the crimes."

Olofsson served time in prison in Sweden and also later in Belgium, where he was deported to, but was released in 2018 and returned home to Sweden.

Who stars in Clark?

Clark cast in a car
Clark tells the story behind the phrase 'Stockholm syndrome'. (Netflix)

Starring as the man himself is Bill Skarsgård, best known for playing Pennywise in the It films and being the son of Stellan Skarsgård.

Other actors appearing in the cast include Adam Lundgren, Sandra Ilar, Vilhelm Blomgren, Peter Viitanen, Hanna Björn and Isabelle Grill.

Director Jonas Åkerlund is known for his music videos for the likes of Madonna, Lady Gaga, Robbie Williams and the Prodigy.

Clark is currently streaming on Netflix.

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