Renée Nyberg and David Hellenius are a great couple and colleagues. It's always a pleasure to see them together. Now they are featured in TV4's new big entertainment program Fortune Hotel.

Fortune Hotel is a strategy game that has been described as a mix between The Traitors and White Lotus. In the program, ten couples compete to win a bag containing a large sum of money – one million kronor! The couple who plays their cards right in this social game and manages to keep the bag with
The million takes home the entire profit.

I know that David is best in certain contexts when he is given the freedom to take control in the moment, while I may be better at preparing.

– One of the reasons we jumped on this bandwagon was that it's a new genre for us to lead but also because it's a new format, says Renée when INRIKES meets her and David via Zoom. It's also a genre that has developed a bit within the so-called competitive reality that has become a bit more strategic in its structure, with different elements and alongside the social game, there's now a lot more strategy – you have to be able to 'think' in several ways if you're in Fortune Hotel. David nods in agreement and adds that the participants have to be able to lie and manipulate their opponents and that's why it's important to also build alliances.

– At the beginning, when everyone has checked in, they are happy and think 'this is not going to be that serious'. But as there is more and more competition for the coveted million, betrayal, intrigue and lies appear. What we hope and believe is that the viewers will become very involved in these couples. It is about one million kronor and it says
It became clear pretty quickly which of the participants would need a million, that it could change their lives.

What is the best and worst thing about working together?
David: – The best thing is that we get to be together and that we understand each other. We like the combination, that we get to be together and work together. The worst thing? There probably isn't anything actually. We work quite similarly to each other. Renée: – We have supported each other all these years, even if it hasn't been apparent from the outside, we have always
have worked closely together. We already knew before we embarked on this project what our possible differences are and our different advantages and disadvantages. I know that David is best in certain contexts when he gets the freedom to direct in the moment, while I am perhaps better at preparing. We can complement each other, we don't need that initial stretch that you might need if you are working together for the first time.
the time.

A good relationship simply, as people, married couples and colleagues.
David: – Haha. Yes, we have that respect that you should have if you work together. If you work together with someone you don't know, it can be difficult to have that natural collaboration, so that's an advantage. The program is a lot about couples and relationships between couples, so it's also a good fit that we are a couple even in private and can occasionally relate to that in the program. It's an advantage that
be able to agree and not disagree and pull together
each in their own way when you are in this program. It's fun that it is a new program and
viewers place higher demands on the content.

In the program, the contestants had to be very good at lying. How would you handle that part if you were competing?
Renée: – I'm disastrously bad at lying, haha.
David: – I'm a little better. It's scary. Haha.
Renée: – It's the actor in David that allows him to lie.
David: – It's harder to lie within the family, which is good. It's easier to lie outside the family. Haha.
Tell us about the hotel where the program was recorded. .
Renée: – It is a five-star hotel called Porto Plomari and is located on the Greek island of
the island of Lesvos. They have a private beach, infinity pool and everything from paddle tennis to spa and gym. The opinion
is that the participants and those who watch the program should feel that it is a bit luxurious and exclusive. In each program we also do a day trip where the participants compete against each other, so it also becomes a little travel experience for the viewers. Did you stay at the hotel?
David: – No. We were staying at another hotel nearby. They basically film reality shows around the clock, so we had to hide in the room so as not to disturb the filming.

What should a hotel have to impress you?
David: – I find it difficult with typical luxury hotels, which can be very rigid. We like more charming and personal boutique hotels that are not too big.
What is luxury for you?
David: – To live. Haha. If you're going to go after finances and stuff, then it's a luxury not to have to worry. It's a luxury to be able to buy a new bike or a new winter jacket for your child.
Renée: – We're not that luxurious. I think I have a designer bag that I bought twelve years ago at an outlet store, so for me it's not luxury. Luxury, however, is being able to take all the children and now also the grandchild and be able to go on a trip together or just go to a restaurant and eat together – that's a hell of a luxury.
David: – We both come from a classic suburban upbringing, and now we have a better economy than we did growing up. But we still live a pretty ordinary life.
Renée: – We have a country house in the archipelago and even though we have had it for many years, we pinch each other's arms for having that place. It is such a luxury to be able to watch the sun set into the sea. It is a privilege for few, so it is very luxurious. But for us, the beautiful sunset does not need to be complemented by a Ferrari, a Porsche or Prada bags.
David: – Luxury is also being able to control your own work. You can have more time off and the children are starting to get older. What you thought was luxurious when you were 20, but now that you are starting to get older and you have people around you who are starting to get sick or disappear, you appreciate even more that luxury is being healthy. But, it is a luxury to just be together and not work, work, work all the time.

I'm guessing that you regularly receive offers for various more or less interesting collaborations. What is the most bizarre job offer you've received?
David: – I got a weird request once. There was a message that said 'we've noticed your hairline is starting to creep up. We might consider working with you if you'd consider getting a hair transplant.' Haha. First they came up with an insult and then the 'offer' that they might 'consider' 'helping me'. It was probably the funniest thing I've ever experienced when it comes to bizarre job offers. It was like you didn't know whether to say 'thanks' or 'go to hell' Renee: – I'm just waiting for it to happen
come to me an offer for a collaboration with adult diapers. Haha. We both have
have been employed at TV4 for many years and then you are not allowed to do commercial collaborations.
David: – I understand that it can be tempting to make your own wine, razors or shoes, but it's not possible when you're employed. Otherwise I might have jumped at that offer of a hair transplant. Haha.
What does a normal everyday life look like for you?
David: – We probably don’t have regular days. Our children are old enough that we no longer need to drive them to and from school. When we work on a specific production, there are classic work days, but since we work on projects, we can be off during periods when others are working. Some people wonder what
we do when we have 'free time'. Some people are so damn good at being active, they play golf and climb mountains. But we don't have any of those activities.

Some people are so damn good at being active, playing golf and climbing mountains. But we don't have any of those activities.

Renée: – Now that our youngest, Leo, has graduated, we have to think of things to do.
David: – Readers are welcome to get in touch if they have any hobby suggestions for us. Haha. I think the days go by so quickly, so I am incredibly impressed by those who manage to squeeze in both playing golf and taking a ceramics course alongside everything else they do on a regular day.
Renée: – With the children having grown up, a bit of a new chapter begins for us. It has been the case with the children that it is their days that govern our everyday lives. As I said, Leo graduated from college and will soon be flying out of the nest, and then we really need to play mini golf anyway. Haha.

I'm guessing you don't plan on quitting your job, because you like to take on new exciting projects.
David: – We've both been working on what we do for a long time and it's fun to continue working on what you enjoy. But if Fortune Hotel were to be the very last project we do, that's fine – it doesn't matter, because we've had so much fun.

Do you have a dream project that you want to do in the future, individually or together?
David: – I make films and stuff, which is a lot of fun. I would like to do more films and TV series, maybe direct something.
Renée: – I have a dream that it would be really fun to write. I have told many stories in documentary form for many years, from reality, but it would be fun to at least try writing fictional stories. I took a course in writing TV series at Folkuniversitetet a semester a few years ago. I have great respect for the craft and it would be fun to try even if it would never become a reality.

With the enormous shared experience you have in film, television, screenwriting, production and so on, you have every opportunity to make major film and television series projects together.
David: – Yes, it would be fun to maybe shift the focus from entertainment and maybe create a little more content and keep the entire production going. So that's what we think we'll do together going forward.

5 FAST
Prefer a day off?
Renée: – Soft.
David: – Working out and treating myself to a good lunch with a glass of wine.
Renée: – I chill and David works out. You can see that we complement each other, haha. What are you listening to right now?
Renée: – The summer talk. We've probably listened to most of them this year.
David: – I have an obsession with listening to all the Summer Talk, so when I wake up before Renée, I go for a walk and listen. What are you looking at?
Renée: – We've had a 'classics summer' with our sons, which has meant we've rewatched everything from The Key to Freedom and Dead Poets Society to Fight Club and The Godfather. It's been incredibly fun.
David: – Our sons didn't know there were such good movies, so it's been great to watch them together! What are you reading?
Renée: – I just finished reading Emma Hamberg's new book Love's Idiots.
David: – My friend Peter Magnusson, with whom I have made several films, including Summer with Göran, has written a book called Exit Nils, which I have just read. I am very weak for audiobooks.
What are you laughing at?
David: – I like spontaneous and self-deprecating humor. Henrik Schyffert's latest show is one of the best I've seen. He's my favorite comedian.
Renée: – I laugh at David, he's so funny in everyday life. People often ask me if David is as funny at home as he is on TV. And he is.

RENÉE NYBERG
Occupation Program host and journalist.
Age: 59.
Bor Central Stockholm and the Stockholm archipelago.
Family Husband David Hellenius, three children. Tom and Emma, whom she has with ex-husband Jan Zachrisson, and Leo, whom she has with David Hellenius.
Career in brief: Renée began her long television career as a presenter in the early 1990s. Over the years, she has hosted popular programs such as Byggfällan, Blåsningen, 45 minuter, Klassfesten and Renées brygga. Renée is one of Sweden's most popular presenters and has been awarded several
awards for their work.
Currently As a presenter together with David Hellenius for TV4's new entertainment program Fortune Hotel.

DAVID HELLENIUS
Occupation Host, comedian, screenwriter, producer.
Age: 51.
Bor Central Stockholm and the Stockholm archipelago.
Family Wife Renée Nyberg, son Leo together with Renée and two bonus children.
Career in brief: David is one of Sweden's most popular and award-winning presenters, including in Let's Dance, The Masked Singer and his own talk show on TV4 Hellenius hörna. He has also appeared in
feature films such as Summer with Göran and Once in Phuket and A Last Race.
Currently As a presenter together with Renée Nyberg for TV4's new entertainment program Fortune Hotel.