The second season of IQ’s hit series Ruset premiered on March 3. Ruset 2 explores how jealousy, betrayal, and alcohol affect male friendships while reflecting the shifting norms as young people drink less and embrace a more conscious approach to alcohol consumption.
The lead roles feature Guldbagge award-winning actor Jonay Pineda Skallak (Vinterviken), Linton Calmroth (One on One), and Perla Rainey Malmberg, making her acting debut. The series is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mats Udd. The first season of Sweden’s first TikTok drama series garnered 1.5 million views.
With its innovative format, Ruset 2 offers viewers the chance to experience the story from two perspectives—that of Dante and Adam. Each character’s unique viewpoint on the same events is released simultaneously as separate episodes.
In Ruset 2, audiences gain deeper insight into how jealousy, betrayal, and alcohol can affect male friendships. The series also portrays the evolving social landscape, where alcohol is no longer as central in young people’s lives. With a strong focus on male friendship, Ruset 2 raises big questions about loyalty and relationships. Dante (Jonay Pineda Skallak) and his best friend Adam (Linton Calmroth) find themselves in a turbulent situation when they both meet Nadia (Perla Rainey Malmberg). Their friendship is put to the test as innocent competition quickly spirals into conflict. Is their bond worth fighting for?
“Seven out of ten young people are exposed to alcohol through popular culture every week, but we are witnessing a historic shift—what was once considered cool is now seen as outdated. More and more young people realize they don’t need alcohol to have fun, and six out of ten describe themselves as sober without completely abstaining. With Ruset 2, we want to highlight this change and encourage young people to challenge traditional alcohol norms,” says Mojtaba Ghodsi, CEO of IQ.
Ruset 2 is directed by Mats Udd, who has previously worked on more than 120 music videos for artists such as First Aid Kit, Roxette, and Thåström. Last year, he directed the short film You Don’t Need to Be Afraid, featuring actor David Dencik.
“Telling a story from multiple perspectives is nothing new in film, but on social media, it’s still largely unexplored. Viewers must piece together the narrative themselves to fully understand each side, making Ruset 2 especially engaging. This approach also gives us more room to portray characters with diverse views on alcohol,” says Mats Udd.
The first season of Ruset premiered in October 2023 as Sweden’s first drama series for TikTok. Created by IQ to spark conversations about alcohol norms among young people, the series was a major success, reaching 1.5 million views. Now, the second season is continuing the conversation.
Ruset 2 premiered on March 3 on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. The ten episodes are being released every other day until March 12.
IQ promotes a smarter approach to alcohol by fostering awareness, reflection, and responsible drinking. Through its initiatives, IQ helps reduce alcohol-related harm in society. IQ is an independent subsidiary of Systembolaget. Learn more at https://www.iq.se/.
Alcohol Awareness 