Top Nordic TV series to get hooked on this autumn

As we are singing on the last chapters of summer and with days rapidly getting shorter, the temptation to enter despair arrives. But fear not, we are here to help with recommendations for the best Nordic TV series not to miss. So you can snuggle up on the sofa with a nice cuppa, and prepare to get hooked.

Forbrydelsen/The Killing (2008) – Denmark
Norwegian, 2017

Arguably the series that positioned Denmark on the world stage when it comes to top-quality drama storytelling. In the dark and deeply disturbing storyline, Sofie Gråbøl plays the detective Sara Lund, who is willing to go to extreme lengths and sacrifice everything, including her family life, to get to the bottom of a murder case. Not only did Gråbøl become a big international name during the three seasons it ran, but she also inspired a fashion trend with the Icelandic jumper she wore more often than not, with it becoming her trademark.

It can be rented or purchased on Amazon Prime.

Photo: Adam Wallensten, DR

Huset/Prisoners (2022) – Denmark

When aired on Danish TV, it became an instant hit. Unlike other drama shows, the social realism alongside its political undertones struck a tone. The quality of the show was backed up by the fact it was quickly snapped up by mainstream distributors BBC and Canal+. The series was also something of a breakthrough for the talented actor Youssef Wayne Hvidtfeldt, who we had the pleasure to feature in our January issue. He plays the character Sammi and stars opposite Sofie Gråbøl as Miriam. It is rumoured there’s a second season of the series coming.

If based in the UK, you can watch it on BBCiPlayer and in mainland Europe Canal+.

Photo: Lilja Jóns, RVK Studios

Ófærð/Trapped (2015) – Iceland

Next up is something not for the faint-hearted as we are venturing off to Iceland in this gripping and dark crime drama that ran for three seasons. In the first season, we are introduced to Andri Ólafsson, played by Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, as the chief of police in a remote town in Iceland, solving the murder of a former townsman whose mutilated corpse is recovered by fishermen.

It is available to stream on a variety of platforms.

Photo: Fisher King, Yle

Sorjonen/Bordertown (2016) – Finland

Detective Inspector Kari Sorjonen, played by Ville Virtanen, is a highly respected officer who is autistic with savantism traits. Due to this, his thought process is always ahead of others, making him accomplished at his job, but it also means that he lacks some personal skills. The series, which ran for three seasons, opens with Sorjonen taking on a new role leading the Serious Crime Unit (SECRI), all while his wife battles brain cancer.

Unfortunately, Bordertown is not currently available to stream.

Photo: Nikola Predovic, Netflix

Störst av allt/Quicksand (2019) – Sweden

In this psychological and crime drama from Sweden, we are introduced to a subject that is not often featured in Nordic TV series. After a school shooting takes place at a senior high school, 18-year-old Maja Norberg, played by Hanna Ardéhn, is arrested on suspicion of murder, while her ex-boyfriend is found dead at the scene. In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Maja admits to murder but denies the crime. The series follows her time in prison, how the prison staff, her family and her lawyer prepare her for the trial, as well as the trial itself and the aftermath, while we learn through flashbacks about the relationship with her ex-boyfriend. The six-episode series was Netflix’s first Swedish-language production.

It is currently available to stream on Netflix.

Photo: Eirik Evjen, Monster AS

Nobel – fred for enhver pris/Nobel – Peace at Any Cost (2016) – Norway

In the thought-provoking Nobel, we follow Erling Riiser, a lieutenant paratrooper patrol commander who returns from Afghanistan, where Norway has maintained troops since 2001. He subsequently finds a system in Oslo that’s just as volatile and corrupt. Played by Aksel Hennie, the powerful portrayal of Riiser dealt with an often taboo subject of people coming back from war. The one-season TV series received a warm welcome from critics and the public when broadcast on the national TV channel NRK in 2016.

Unfortunately, it is not currently available to stream.

Photo: Netflix

Lilyhammer (2012) – Norway

With Lilyhammer, Norway showcased that it masters the combination of light-hearted and dark humour at the highest entertainment level, poking fun at the Norwegian and New York ways of life. Mafia boss Frank Tagliano is testifying as a witness against the new head of the New York Mafia and placed in the Witness Protection Programme. He is subsequently given the opportunity to build a new life in Norway’s Lillehammer. Tagliano, who is played by The Sopranos star Steven Van Zandt, is soon up to his old tricks, often clashing with the naive locals. The successful show ran for three seasons.

It is currently available to stream on Netflix.

Photo: Andrea Testoni, Netflix