5 Best Scandinavian Detective TV Hidden Gems on Netflix & Apple TV
Gray skies and cold temperatures are the perfect excuse to wrap up in a blanket and watch a few Scandinavian TV shows.
Scandinavian detective shows have won love and acclaim around the world for their well-crafted plots and clever intrigues.
But what really sets Scandinavian projects apart are the stunning landscapes: snow-capped mountains, pristine forests, and frozen fjords.
1. The Killing, 2007-2012
Where to Watch: Apple TV
The 2007 Danish-Swedish-Norwegian co-production The Killing tells the story of detective Sarah Lund, who is forced to postpone her move with her fiancé while she investigates a brutal crime in Copenhagen.
The show has been well received by viewers and critics alike, with some calling the project one of the best in its genre and comparing it to the classic Twin Peaks ( but without the mysticism).
2. Jordskott, 2015-2017
Where to Watch: Apple TV
Seven years ago, Eva's daughter disappeared without a trace in the Silverhojd Forest. When she returns to find her father, she learns that a boy has disappeared at the same place, and the locals are clearly hiding something, forcing Eva to join the police investigation.
Jordskott is a perfect balance of mystery and detective, with references to Swedish folklore and an extremely intriguing investigation. No wonder that the premiere of the show attracted about 15% of the Swedish viewers to the screens.
3. Spring Tide, 2016-2018
Where to Watch: Netflix
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Olivia takes on the task of investigating a 25-year-old case her late father worked on. The pregnant woman was buried alive in the sand and drowned when the tide came in. She finds investigator Tom, who was unable to solve the crime. He has become homeless and refuses to return to the past, but soon someone is attacking homeless people on the streets and posting gruesome videos on the Internet.
The show fascinates with its complex structure – one storyline is connected with the distant past, the other with crimes in our days. And all this is seasoned with details from the personal lives of the characters, which makes them more relatable.
4. Trom, 2022
Where to Watch: Apple TV
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The show tells the story of Hannis, who receives a letter from an animal rights activist. The girl introduces herself as his daughter and says that she is in danger. Unfortunately, when he returns home, the Faroe Islands, he first discovers that the girl has disappeared, and then sees her dead body with his own eyes.
Driven by an inquisitive mind and an irresistible desire for the truth, Hannis decides to solve the case, but learns that the local population is as harsh, unfriendly and cold as the local nature.
5. Trapped, 2015-…
Where to Watch: Apple TV
A detective, thriller, and drama in one show, Trapped offers viewers incredible snowy landscapes and the feeling of being caught in an icy trap. Fishermen from an Icelandic town find body parts of a dismembered man.
At the same time, a massive blizzard hits the area, literally cutting off the residents from the outside world – leaving the police to fend for themselves. During the investigation, the number of corpses only increases, and the chances to keep one's sanity are dwindling.