The following that TV/web series ‘Kalamaja Blues’ has found among Estonian language learners surprises showrunner Vivian Säde. Available on Jupiter, the series is filmed in Tallinn’s Kalamaja neighbourhood and centres on 20-something friends and lovers. This makes for relatable viewing for a wide swathe of Tallinn residents, regardless of your first language. As a celebration of both the second season’s launch and the neighbourhood itself, Säde organised a screening in the cosy intimacy and perfect timing and placement of Heldeke! during Kalamaja Days. As one of the language-learners who’d been introduced to the series earlier this year, I jumped at the opportunity to meet the creator behind the show.
‘Kalamaja Blues’ was first commissioned by Finnish broadcaster YLE off the strength of Säde’s pilot script, developed at a workshop in Finland – during which her mentor came on board as executive producer, not least because Finns love Kalamaja. The first season was released on split dates between Finland and Estonia, with Finns getting first look. The second season, however, was joint commission of YLE and ERR, and launched 14 Feb 2025 in both countries.
As a result of its original commissioning, the format follows Areena Stories specs (a season is four episodes of 5-10 minutes), but Säde and her team didn’t find this incompatible or requiring any real compromise on the story that they wanted to tell. Season 2 catches us up with best friends Olli and Moonika and their respective partners, Sofi and Jan, as they navigate trust and family issues. The episodes and characters are dynamic, engaging, and high-energy, capturing the spirit of the neighbourhood specifically and that age generally, when you’re pushing through the end of your school years and dipping toes into what comes next.
It was incredible to be able to watch the show with others, especially with the showrunner involved. Säde focuses on coming-of-age stories, which as she presented it made me reflect that, really, the good stories are ones that unfold the coming of ANY age, whichever it is, and grasps at the humanity and the stakes of each stage. Säde has shown a deft hand at understanding and translating the generalities of these struggles into the specifics of characters’ lives and relationships.
While Season 3 has not yet been commissioned, the same team is working on longer-form television storytelling, and separately the short film format. Whether we get to join the inhabitants of Kungla tn. again or not, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what the future brings – and I’ll no doubt be rocking some KB merch when it arrives. I’d seen and coveted the “Kalamaja resident (meeshoor)” shirts in the wild, so I’m thrilled to know how my next not-a-swap-meet clothing acquisition will happen. And in the meantime, I’ll be on the hunt for more entertaining, Estonian-language content and creators.
Author: Laurie
Laurie likes alliteration, ambiance, and lists with three things.
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