As It Is in Heaven

A renowned international conductor who suffers a heart attack and retreats to a northern Swedish village. He carries the burden of a painful childhood spent being bullied, which shapes his cautious but passionate personality. He seeks to use music to heal others while rediscovering his own joy. He is reserved, deeply empathetic, and brave enough to face hidden hurts in the community.

A young choir member who catches Daniel’s eye; she is open, caring, and passionate about music. They fall in love, and she hopes the relationship can endure Daniel’s ties to the musical world. She confronts insecurities about Daniel’s future and remains a steady source of warmth for the choir.

A vulnerable, mentally challenged member of the choir who is initially shunned but gradually included. His presence softens the group’s dynamics and highlights the village’s capacity for compassion. He embodies resilience and the need for belonging within a community that often excludes.

Ambitious for the choir’s success and perfectionist about tiny details, he overlooks larger moral failings. His competitive drive creates tension within the group and with Daniel. He represents the dangers of ego and narrow vision in a community striving for harmony.

The village minister whose jealousy of the choir fuels attempts to shut it down. He experiences a nervous breakdown as the choir’s influence grows, illustrating how power fears being challenged by art. His arc reveals the fragility of authority in the face of communal healing.

Married to the minister, she struggles with a loveless marriage but demonstrates quiet strength and empathy. Her perspective helps the community confront its moral blind spots. She supports the choir and the people around her, seeking deeper connection.

Gabriella’s abusive husband, a bully who blames the choir for his wife’s choices. His hostility culminates in violence and legal consequences, revealing the danger of unchecked aggression. He embodies the destructive edges of domestic conflict within the village.

Beaten by her husband, she finds the strength to leave and seeks safety and independence. Her courage becomes a catalyst for change in the village, as neighbors rally to support her. Her resilience demonstrates how personal courage can inspire communal solidarity.

A member who endures being called 'Fatso' by Arne, Holmfrid gradually asserts his voice and dignity. He shows quiet fortitude in the face of ridicule and contributes to the choir’s warmth. His arc highlights the importance of standing up for oneself within a community.

A morally rigid member who clings to strict boundaries, sometimes to the detriment of personal joy. She embodies the village’s moral tension and the conflict between propriety and freedom. Her presence keeps the group honest, even if it creates friction.