Realistic and immersive. These Scandinavian TV shows are not typical American stories

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Danish noir, Swedish mysticism and Icelandic detectives are waiting for you.

15. Prisoners

• 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 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

• 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" by David Lynch. No wonder the premiere of the series attracted about 15% of the Swedish population to the screens.

13. Valkyrie

• Norway, 2017.
• Thriller, drama.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

A 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.

The dark and sometimes almost apocalyptic thriller has become a favorite among viewers in Norway. And in 2019, the USA released their version of "Temple", where Mark Strong played the main role.

12. High tide

• 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 the 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 connected with the distant past, the other with crimes today. And all this is spiced up with the details of the personal lives of the main characters, which makes the characters more touching and alive.

11. Sorjonen

• Finland, France, 2016-2020.
• Detective drama.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

Commissioner Kari Sorjonen is moving 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 purchase Netflix for international broadcasting, which already underlines the level of the project. 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

• 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 are loved 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 is releasing the Young Wallander series about the early years of the hero.

9. Occupied

• 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 is worth watching it only for those who do not take seriously the stereotypical image of aggressive Russian politicians.

8. Legacy

• 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

• USA, Norway, 2012–2014.
• Drama, comedy, crime.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

New York mobster Frank Tagliano turned in his boss to the special 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 the Norwegian "Sopranos". He perfectly combines the comedic grotesque with the typical story of the everyday life of the mafia.

6. Trap

• 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 the inhabitants from the outside world. The police have to rely only on their own strength, and even in bad weather.

Trap is a classic, introverted 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

• Denmark, Sweden, 2000-2004.
• Action, detective, thriller, drama.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

The plot tells about the 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 police forces. However, the Danes managed to show the heroes more alive, betting not only on investigations, but also on personal relationships. And Mads Mikkelsen played one of his first roles in "Special Forces".

4. Murder

• 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 in Russia there was a remake of "Crime".

3. Government

• 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: the thriller is intertwined with a drama that reveals living human characters.

2. Bridge

• Sweden, Denmark, Germany, 2011-2018.
• Detective, crime, thriller.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

A human body is found on the Øresund Bridge, which runs the border between Sweden and Denmark. Detectives of both countries are taken to investigate the intricate case. Gradually, they realize that politics is involved in the crime.

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

• 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 plots were collected into a full-fledged 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.