Mikael Persbrandt prepared for the role of Carl Hamilton by training with the American Navy Seals in San Diego for an extensive period of time, learning techniques such as silent takedowns and weapon disarming. Mikael Persbrandt was also trained by SSG, the Swedish Elite Force, in preparation for the role.
TV news anchor Anna Lindmarker appears as herself, presenting fictional news in "Nyheterna", one of Sweden's main news programs.