Lena Meriläinen
Known For & Full Filmography16 Titles
Drama Series - 2014, 16 episodes • as Lenita Pakkala
Like good soldiers in a war-zone, hospital staff are expected to respect the chain of command when dealing with life and death situations. But what happens when smug doctors, arrogant surgeons, and out-of-touch administrators make that easier said than done? Nurses deals with the professional and personal lives of four female colleagues who cope in different ways with the challenges of life on the trauma ward. With determination, strength, and a dark sense of humor, they achieve the demanding and inspiring task of saving lives in a system that sometimes seems designed to do the opposite.
Drama Series - 1995, 16 episodes • as Eeva Mäkimaa
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Drama Series - 1995, 16 episodes • as Eeva Virtanen
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Drama Series - 2018, 16 episodes • as Dr. Satu Kela
During a routine search of an old cabin in the remote and wintery back country, Finnish policewoman, Nina Kautsalo, discovers two dead prostitutes, with a third still fighting for her life. The ensuing investigation takes a surprise twist when an extremely rare and deadly virus is discovered in the surviving woman’s bloodwork. When the Finnish Bureau of Investigation takes over the case, German virologist, Thomas Lorenz is called in to assist in identifying and containing the virus. Set within the endless white expanse of the arctic circle, Nina and Thomas must rely on each other to have any hope of saving the ones they love. But what takes precedence? A deadly virus or an active serial killer?
Drama Series - 1982, 16 episodes • as Pohjola's daughter
Rauta-aika (The Age of Iron) is a dramatic four-part miniseries completed in 1982 by Finnish broadcast network Yle TV2. The production attempts to adapt the national epic of Finland, the Kalevala, for the television audience by way of humanizing the mythological characters whose thoughts and actions drive the narrative. The protagonists of Rauta-aika, Väinö, Ilmari and Lemminki, have been inspired by the tales in the Kalevala and go in search of a woman, eventually finding themselves at war with the Nordic people, and in the end pay dearly for their pursuits.
Drama Series - 1991, 16 episodes • as Marjatta Hujanen
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Movie - 2025, 2h 15m • as Lenita Pakkala
The trauma center is facing its busiest day of the year: New Year's Eve. Jannica Ronkainen, a surgical nurse on duty, is already looking forward to the end of the year. Tired of her relationship troubles, Jannica wants anything but new romantic worries for the coming year – until she encounters a ghost from her past at the hospital. New Year's Eve offers Jannica the chance for one last adventure of the year, but the clinic's new and demanding surgeon, Eero Mustonen, adds challenges to Jannica's plans.
Movie - 1987, 2h 15m • as Malviina
The first part of Hella Wuolijoki's family saga. Loviisa comes to Niskavuori as Juhani's young wife. She has to fight for her right to the house and her husband, but finds her own way of life and takes her place as the mistress of the house. Based on Hella Wuolijoki's play of the same name from 1940.
Drama Series - 1989, 16 episodes • as Sanna
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Movie - 1977, 2h 15m • as Sinikka
The story of a man raised in a boy's home and prison who doesn't conform to the rules and discipline of the military.
Movie - 2023, 2h 15m • as Lenita Pakkala
Everything is on track in the life of the beloved but eccentric surgeon Petteri Holopainen but when a patient close to him is rushed to the hospital, nothing can go back to the way it was. Holopainen loses everything he holds dear. When a familiar person from the past enters his life, Holopainen must decide what still matters.
Movie - 2018, 2h 15m • as Psychiatrist
The story of a Finnish rap artist Cheek and his brother.
Movie - 2012, 2h 15m • as Maria Välitalo
19th century drama set on the plains of Ostrobothnia, western Finland, which are controlled by groups of knife-wielding thugs, the toughs. Traditionally, the first-born son inherits everything, so when Esko – a bum and a gang leader – learns that his father will leave the Välitalo estate to his younger and exemplary brother, all hell breaks loose.
Movie - 2003, 2h 15m • as Sami's mother
Taavi,the enigmatic 18-year-old lead, has just inherited his long-deceased wealthy parents home and estate. It is high school graduation and Taavi's birthday, and after his fiends greet him au natural and are arrested, Taavi invites his friends to the mansion for a wild party. Taavi lives with a recording camera to his eye, a machine that allows his to keep interpersonal distance from everyone. Among his friends are Jere who considers himself a woman's man, Markus (who appears the well-adjusted one, and chubby, pierced Sami whose sexuality is ambiguous. The party gets wild, guests sleep around, and Taavi records it all!
Movie - 2008, 2h 15m • as Hanna Kajaste
Recovering from a nail gun shot to the head and 13 months of coma, doctor Pekka Valinta starts to unravel the mystery of his past, still suffering from total amnesia.
Movie - 2021, 2h 15m • as Lenita Pakkala
Iiris tries to recover from her difficult separation with Artturi when she unexpectedly meets Anton. The relationship doesn't get a chance to progress far when Iiris' son Niilo suddenly becomes ill. Niilo would only need a small operation, but once the boy enters the operating room, the hospital is subjected to a cyber attack. The power is cut off, the ventilators stop working and all access to patient data is blocked. Nurses have to prioritize whose life is the most valuable.