Format

TV4 has commissioned Boxen, a local adaptation of Seefood TV’s reality competition format The Box, set to premiere in spring 2026. The series will be the first civilian version of the format, featuring 13 ordinary Swedes instead of celebrities. Each contestant will step through the glowing yellow doors of the iconic Box, where they are immediately thrown into extraordinary challenges with no advance preparation. The tasks—ranging from physical trials to strategic puzzles and moral dilemmas—are designed to test courage, quick thinking, and raw instinct.

Hosted by popular presenter Pär Lernström, Boxen will deliver unexpected twists, high tension, and a visually striking production that sets it apart from other competition formats. “We believe The Box is a perfect fit for our viewers,” says Alex Adamo, Senior Developer & Format Manager at TV4. “It combines thrilling challenges, strong storytelling, and a distinctive identity—qualities we look for in building new audience favorites.”

The format, created and distributed by Norway’s Seefood TV, has rapidly gained traction since its launch on TV 2 Norway in 2024, where it won praise from critics and delivered strong ratings. Season 2 of the original version has just wrapped filming and will air in early 2026, pushing the format further into uncharted territory with even fewer instructions and greater emphasis on the “unknown.”

International demand continues to grow: The Box has now been commissioned in ten countries, including ITV in the UK—where Gary Lineker will host a celebrity edition in 2026—and TF1 in France. Another civilian version is already confirmed and will be announced later this year.

“This shows how flexible the format is,” says Aleksander Herresthal, creator and partner at Seefood TV. “Whether featuring celebrities or everyday people, the heart of the show is the same: the moment of stepping into the unknown. That’s what makes The Box so universally gripping.”

With its bold visual identity, scalable production model, and instantly relatable premise, The Box is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most in-demand formats in the international entertainment market.