Skilda världar

Skilda världar takes place in Stockholm and follows two intertwined families, one rich and one poor, whose lives collide as love complicates their loyalties. Daniel Toivonen and Sandra Bovallius come from opposite ends of the social spectrum, and a forbidden romance blooms despite pressure from parents, employers, and the expectations of a close knit community. As the years pass, friendships, rivalries, and long held secrets pull the couples and their circle into a tangled web where affection and obligation constantly clash. The series gradually broadens its scope beyond the romance to examine class prejudice, neighborhood codes, and the ways ambition can tilt a family toward conflict.

Created by Ulf Hansson and Joachim Bergenstråhle, Skilda världar aired on TV4 from 1996 to 2002. It drew on the 1980s Australian soap Sons and Daughters for its premise while developing a distinctly Swedish tone.

Skilda världar became one of TV4's most watched programs, anchoring the network's daily schedule for years. Its longevity as Sweden's longest running daily soap made it a cultural touchstone, with familiar settings and characters returning to viewers day after day. Its peak moment in the 1990s Swedish TV landscape cemented its place in popular memory.

Critical reception reflected a melodramatic but human scale, with an ensemble led by Bengt Dalqvist as Daniel Toivonen and Matti Berenett as Tom Bovallius supported by Nina Gunke, Tuva Novotny and Pia Oscarsson. The show balanced brisk pacing with long running arcs that let viewers grow attached to the characters, while occasional twists kept the sense of unpredictability.

Awards: There is no widely documented record of major nominations or wins for Skilda världar. Its enduring popularity came from loyal audiences and social buzz rather than formal recognition, leaving a lasting imprint on Swedish daytime television. Many viewers remember it for its family dynamics and cliffhangers.