Kjell is a puppet show, technically—but not really. It's set in a world that feels painfully close to our own. Real people, real problems. Gambling addiction, depression, unemployment, the quiet struggle of being human. The characters just happen to be made of foam.We made three seasons across nearly a decade—each one for a different Swedish broadcaster: ZTV in 2007, SVT in 2009, and finally TV4 in 2015. That alone probably says something about the strange and stubborn life this show has had.

I co-created Kjell with Björn Carlberg, who might be the funniest person I’ve ever met. He’s an incredible puppeteer and voice actor, with a huge following of his own. Making this series with him was pure joy. Katja Serrander, Joakim Tessert, Josephine Owe, Jacob Eklund, Carl Sander and Johan Junker among others has also been a huge part of Kjell.

Over time, Kjell built something of a cult following. People of all ages have found it online and kept it alive in ways we never expected. It’s deeply rooted in the place where I grew up—full of references, tone, and characters drawn from our own lifes.
Kjell, Peter and Birgitta aren’t just puppets anymore. They’ve become part of us.

You can find all 3 seasons of Kjell here

Daniel Eskils

Director

Kjell

©2006-2025

daniel@eskils.com