Realistic and immersive. These Scandinavian TV shows are not typical American stories.
Educational Program Cinema / / December 31, 2020
15. Prisoners
Fangar
- Iceland, 2017.
- Drama.
- Duration: 1 season.
- IMDb: 7.1.
The daughter of a businessman and politician, Linda, is arrested for assaulting her own father. He falls into a coma, and the girl is sent to a women's prison. Accustomed to a rich life, Linda has to adapt to completely new conditions for her. The prisoner has a chance to get out, but then she will have to reveal a secret that will discredit her family.
The Icelandic series can be called a darker alternative to the project “Orange is the new black». Moreover, the plot does not go into the genre of a criminal thriller, but remains a touching drama.
14. Secrets of Silverhoeid
Jordskott
- Sweden, Finland, Great Britain, Norway, 2015-2017.
- Fantasy, thriller, drama.
- Duration: 2 seasons.
- IMDb: 7.2.
Seven years ago, Eve's daughter disappeared without a trace in the Silverhoeid forest, after which the heroine left her native place. Returning in search of her father, she learns that the boy disappeared there, and the locals are clearly hiding something. Then Eva decides to take up the investigation together with the police.
"The Secrets of Silverhoeid" perfectly balances on the brink of crime drama and mysticism. Here you can find references to Swedish folklore and even an atmosphere in the spirit of "Twin Peaks" David Lynch. No wonder the premiere of the series attracted about 15% of the Swedish population to the screens.
13. Valkyrie
Valkyrien
- Norway, 2017.
- Thriller, drama.
- Duration: 1 season.
- IMDb: 7.4.
The talented doctor Raven, whose wife is in a coma, works in a clandestine clinic in an abandoned subway station. Most of his clients are criminals and the working conditions are terrible. But Raven gets the opportunity to treat patients in experimental ways, hoping to find a cure for his wife.
Gloomy and sometimes almost apocalyptic the thriller is very fond of viewers in Norway. And in 2019, the United States released their own version of Temple, starring Mark Strong.
12. Tide
Springfloden
- Sweden, Germany, Belgium, 2016-2018.
- Detective drama.
- Duration: 2 seasons.
- IMDb: 7.5.
Police Academy student Olivia Rönning takes on a 25-year-old case that her late father was working on. Then the pregnant girl was buried alive in the sand, and she drowned during the high tide. Olivia finds investigator Tom Stilton, who was unable to solve this crime. He has become homeless and does not want to remember the past. But soon someone starts attacking vagrants in the streets and posting violent videos on the Internet.
The Swedish TV series pleases with a confusing structure. One storyline is related to the distant past, the other - to the crimes of our day. And all this is spiced with the details of the personal lives of the main characters, which makes the characters more touching and alive.
11. Sorjonen
Sorjonen
- Finland, France, 2016-2020.
- Detective drama.
- Duration: 3 seasons.
- IMDb: 7.6.
Commissioner Kari Sorjonen is being transferred from bustling Helsinki to the quiet Finnish city of Lappeenranta to spend more time with his family. But it turns out that here, too, there are many secrets that the police officer will have to deal with.
Sorjonen is the first Finnish TV series to be purchased for international broadcasting Netflix, which already emphasizes the project level. Well, for residents of the north-western part of Russia, it will be interesting for the familiar landscapes of Lappeenranta, which tourists love to visit. The villains in this series are also often Russian.
10. Wallander
Wallander
- Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Finland, 2005-2013.
- Detective, drama, thriller.
- Duration: 3 seasons.
- IMDb: 7.6.
The reticent and harsh Police Commissioner Kurt Wallander is able to sort out the most difficult cases. However, his methods often look outside the box and sometimes do not fit the law. Even Wallander's daughter cannot always understand her father's way of thinking.
The series is based on a series of books by Henning Mankel, dedicated to Commissioner Walander. These detectives love all over the world, and therefore in 2008 the British film adaptation was launched, where the main role was played by Kenneth Branagh. And in 2020, Netflix releases the Young Wallander series about the early years of the hero.
9. Occupied
Okkupert
- Norway, Sweden, 2015 - present.
- Thriller, drama.
- Duration: 3 seasons.
- IMDb: 7.7.
In the not too distant future, Norway has completely stopped oil production, switching to alternative fuel sources. Then, with the permission of the European Union, Russia occupied the country. The takeover was not supposed to affect the government, but a struggle for power begins among the highest ranks.
The series caused a lot of scandals at the production stage: it was demanded to be banned by both the Norwegians and representatives of Russia. However, the project was released. Although it should be watched only by those who do not take seriously the stereotypical image of aggressive Russian politicians.
8. Heritage
Arvingerne
- Denmark, 2014-2017.
- Drama.
- Duration: 3 seasons.
- IMDb: 7.7.
The four children of the deceased artist Veronica Gronnegard gather on the island of Funen to find out to whom she bequeathed her estate. But it turns out that Signe, a daughter who lived in another family and did not even know her own mother, will receive the inheritance.
The Danish drama perfectly combines the history of family relationships and a swirling ball of intrigue. Signe is happy to find a new family, but her brothers and sisters at first think only about the redistribution of property.
7. Lillehammer
Lilyhammer
- USA, Norway, 2012–2014.
- Drama, comedy, crime.
- Duration: 3 seasons.
- IMDb: 8.0.
New York mobster Frank Tagliano handed over his boss to the secret services and is now forced to hide. Under the witness protection program, he moves to Lillehammer, Norway, and dreams of starting a new life there. But Frank still has to return to his criminal activities.
This series is sometimes referred to as Norwegian “By the Sopranos». He perfectly combines the comedic grotesque with the typical story of the everyday life of the mafia.
6. Trap
Ófærð
- Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, 2015 - present.
- Thriller, drama, crime, detective.
- Duration: 2 seasons.
- IMDb: 8.1.
Fishermen from a small Icelandic town catch the body parts of a dismembered man. At the same time, the strongest blizzard falls on the district, which cuts off residents from the outside world. The police have to rely only on their own strength, and even in bad weather.
Trap is a classic, self-contained detective story in the spirit of Agatha Christie. True, in the case of the Icelandic project, it is combined with everyday drama and even the ideas of a disaster film.
5. Special unit
Rejseholdet
- Denmark, Sweden, 2000-2004.
- Action, detective, thriller, drama.
- Duration: 4 seasons.
- IMDb: 8.2.
The plot tells about a special unit of the Danish police, which investigates the most complex crimes. After the murder of the chief of the department, a woman takes the leading position. However, not all employees are ready to obey her.
The project can be considered the European analogue of many American TV series about special forces police. However, the Danes managed to show the heroes more alive, relying not only on investigations, but also on personal relationships. And Mads Mikkelsen played one of his first roles in "Special Forces".
4. Murder
Forbrydelsen
- Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, 2007-2012.
- Detective, drama, crime.
- Duration: 3 seasons.
- IMDb: 8.4.
Detective Sarah Lund was about to move from Denmark to Sweden, but is forced to stay to investigate the brutal murder of a young girl. It soon becomes clear that the case may be connected with the highest political circles.
The European series has evolved over time into a worldwide franchise. First, the analogue was removed by the Americans. And then Russia got its own remake "A crime".
3. Government
Borgen
- Denmark, 2010-2013.
- Drama.
- Duration: 4 seasons.
- IMDb: 8.5.
Before the elections to the Danish parliament, there are many scandals between the leading liberals and the opposition. As a result, the moderate party unexpectedly wins. Its leader, Birgitte Nyborg, has always adhered to strict moral principles. But the post of prime minister and problems in her personal life change the heroine.
This project was created by the producers of "Murder", and therefore the atmosphere of the series is somewhat similar: thriller intertwined with drama that reveals living human characters.
2. Bridge
Bron / Broen
- Sweden, Denmark, Germany, 2011-2018.
- Detective, crime, thriller.
- Duration: 4 seasons.
- IMDb: 8.6.
A human body is found on the Øresund Bridge, which crosses the border between Sweden and Denmark. Detectives of both countries are taken to investigate the complicated case. Gradually they realize that they are involved in the crime politics.
Another series that has turned into a large-scale franchise. First, their version was filmed in the USA and Mexico, then the Anglo-French "Tunnel" appeared. There are also projects in Germany and Austria, Russia and Estonia, as well as Singapore and Malaysia. In each of them, the police of the two countries are investigating a murder at the border.
1. Shame
Skam
- Norway 2015-2017.
- Drama, melodrama.
- Duration: 4 seasons.
- IMDb: 8.7.
The plot focuses on the life of five friends who are studying in one of Oslo's high schools. Like other peers, they experience first love, difficulties in communicating with their parents and betrayal.
"Shame" came out in a very unusual form. Initially, individual excerpts were posted on the Internet in real time. And at the end of the week, all the stories were collected into a full episode. In addition, all the fictional heroines were set up social media accounts so that fans could communicate with them.
This series was also adapted in many European countries: their versions were released in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and not only.
What Scandinavian TV shows do you like? Noir detectives or mystical thrillers? Or maybe your favorite project didn't make this list? Then tell us about it in the comments.
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