Though it isn’t, strictly speaking, a genre in itself, Nordic noir shows and movies have quickly become some of the most popular works in the world. There have been many popular grittycrimedramas produced by Scandinavian countries over the years, but it’s the streaming boom of the 2010s that brought renewed attention to these classics, helping define the tropes and themes of this burgeoning genre. While Nordic noir productions run the gamut between thrillers, comedies, and horror, what they all have in common is a powerful sense of atmosphere, stories that reflect on important social themes, and layered characters full of fascinating complexities.
Today, Nordic noir is a massive field that produces no shortage of new projects and international remakes every year. Obviously, not all of them can be great, but the greatest of these shows rank among the best series ever produced. Read on to discover our ranked selection of the best Nordic noir shows of all time, including both acclaimed classics and more contemporary hits.
8‘Wallander’ (2005 - 2013)
Created by Henning Mankell
Adapted fromHenning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander novels,Wallanderis a Swedish series starringKrister Henrikssonas the titular detective. Set in Ystad, Skåne, the series consists of 32 feature-length episodes, each exploring a new case investigated by the troubled police detective. Besides Henriksson, the show also starsDouglas Johansson,Fredrik Gunnarsson,Mats Bergman, and more in supporting roles.
The originalWallanderpremiered its first 13 episodes between 2005 and 2006, receiving critical acclaim and an even better fan reception. Featuring a nationallypopular detectiveof Sherlock Holmes-level standing, the series is very faithful to the spirit of the novels. However, most of the episodes are new original stories created with the involvement of Wallander’s creator, Henning Mankell. A thrilling detective show with all the defining hallmarks of great Nordic noir,Wallanderis a must-see for fans of the genre. A British remake starringKenneth Branaghwas aired in the UK by the BBC from 2008 to 2016.
7‘Bordertown’ (2016 - 2019)
Created by Miikko Oikkonen
A Finnish crime drama series,Bordertown(Finnish:Sorjonen) starsVille Virtanenas Detective Inspector Kari Sorjonen, a respected officer at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation who exhibits traits associated with autism and savantism. The series kicks off when Sorjonen moves to Lappeenranta, a city near the Russian border, with his wife and daughter. The show also featuresMatleena Kuusniemias Sorjonen’s wife, Pauliina, andOlivia Ainalias their daughter, Janina, withAnu Sinisalo,Lenita Susi,Kristiina Halttu, andIlkka Villiin other main roles.
Critically and popularly acclaimed both in Finland and abroad,Bordertownis easily one of the most iconic Nordic noir series of the 2010s. A mystery procedural with intense stories and a fascinating central character, the series is a gritty, atmospheric watch that keeps you engaged from start to finish. The show has earned praise from many notable individuals, including authorStephen King, and its first season won three Golden Venla awards, the Finnish equivalent of the Emmys.
Bordertown
6‘Equinox’ (2020)
Created by Tea Lindeburg
Based on the DanishpodcastEquinox 1985,Equinoxis a supernatural thriller series starringDanica Curcicas Astrid, a young woman haunted by disturbing visions ever since her sister and her classmates disappeared over 20 years ago. When one of the survivors of the trip unexpectedly gets in touch with her, Astrid sets out to find the truth about what happened all those years ago. Besides Curcic, the show also starsLars Brygmann,Karoline Hamm,Hanne Hedelund,Viola Martinsen,Fanny Bornedal, and more.
Equinoxpremiered all six episodes onNetflixin December 2020, receiving great reviews from critics for its cinematography, creepy atmosphere, and powerful performances, especially Curcic’s in the lead role. Essentially a blend of the noir and elevated horror genres,Equinoxis a gripping and spooky thriller that takes inspiration from Norse mythology and folk horror. The show is a must-watch for fans of great horror writing, with some conceptual similarities toAri Aster’sMidsommar.
5‘Marcella’ (2016 - 2021)
Created by Hans Rosenfeldt and Nicola Larder
A British Nordic noir detective drama,MarcellastarsAnna Frielas the title character, a former London detective who returns to work to catch a serial killer who first struck 11 years ago. Each season follows Marcella on a new case as she struggles to balance professional life and her failing home life. Written, directed, and produced byHans Rosenfeldt, the series featuresNicholas Pinnock,Ray Panthaki,Jamie Bamber,Jack Doolan,Nina Sosanya,Charlie Covell,Sophia Brown, and others in supporting roles.
An enthralling show with layered characters and a bleak atmosphere,Marcellapremiered in the UK in April 2016 and aired three successful seasons on ITV. Released internationally on Netflix, the series has garnered a global fanbase, in large part thanks to Anna Friel’s masterful performance as the central detective. Though it isn’t technically a Scandinavian series, the show is firmly rooted in Nordic crime drama sensibilities and is a fascinating,underratedexperience for all crime thriller fans.
4‘The Chestnut Man’ (2021)
Created by Dorte Warnøe Hagh, David Sandreuter, and Mikkel Serup
Based onSøren Sveistrup’s eponymous 2019 novel,The Chestnut Manis a Danish crime thriller miniseries that follows a decades-spanning mystery, which begins in 1987 when a family is found murdered on a remote farm. Thirty years later, detectives Naia Thulin (Danica Curcic) and Mark Hess (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard) investigate the murders of several Copenhagen women, with a mysterious chestnut figurine found at the crime scenes. Besides Curcic and Følsgaard, the show also featuresDavid Dencik,Esben Dalsgaard Andersen, andIben Dornerin supporting roles.
Taking inspiration from Sveistrup’s acclaimed debut novel,The Chestnut Manwas a highly anticipated show ahead of its premiere on Netflix in 2021, and the series delivers on all expectations. A dark and gritty mystery with chilling plot twists and grisly horror elements, the show has received highly positive reviews from both critics and viewers. Featuring some brilliant performances and excellent cinematography,The Chestnut Manis an utterlythrillingand highly bingeable show that’s arguably one of Netflix’s greatest thrillers.
The Chestnut Man
3‘River’ (2015)
Created by Abi Morgan
StarringStellan Skarsgård,Riveris a British noir police procedural following the titular Detective Inspector John River. Haunted by the recent murder of his colleague, Detective Sergeant Jackie “Stevie” Stevenson (Nicola Walker), River teams up with a new partner (Adeel Akhtar) to take on fresh cases while struggling with his trauma and secretly trying to solve Stevie’s murder. A six-part miniseries, the show features an ensemble supporting cast that includesLesley Manville,Georgina Rich,Eddie Marsan,Turlough Convery,Sorcha Cusack,Steve Nicolson, and more.
Riverwashighly acclaimedwhen it premiered on BBC One in October 2015, receiving praise from critics and viewers alike for its complex storytelling and psychological exploration. Powered by the stellar performances of its ensemble cast, the show is a compelling exploration of loss and grief, as well as a solid mystery procedural. Arguably one of Stellan Skarsgård’s best TV projects,Riverhas received several accolades, including one BAFTA nomination and two Royal Television Society nominations.
2‘The Bridge’ (2011 - 2018)
Created by Hans Rosenfeldt
A Swedish-Danish crime series,The Bridgekicks off with a corpse being discovered at the center of the Øresund Bridge, which links Copenhagen, Denmark, and Malmö, Sweden. The case brings together Swedish detective Saga Norén (Sofia Helin) and her Danish counterpart Martin Rohde (Kim Bodnia), who must work together to find the responsible party while simultaneously navigating their personal struggles. Rohde is replaced by Danish officer Henrik Sabroe (Thure Lindhardt) in the third and fourth seasons, and the show also featuresDag Malmberg,Sarah Boberg,Rafael Pettersson, and more in key roles.
One of themost influential Nordic noir showsof all time,The Bridgewas highly acclaimed during its initial run, receiving praise from critics and audiences for its intense plots and bleak yet beautiful visions of Malmö and Copenhagen. The series has earned several accolades as well, including two Golden Nymph Awards at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival. The show’s enduring popularity with genre fans has led to the creation of seven international adaptations, including a short-lived US-Mexican version starringDiane KrugerandDemián Bichirthat premiered on FX in 2013.
The Bridge
1‘The Killing’ (2007 - 2012)
Created by Søren Sveistrup
Arguably themost popular Nordic noir showof all time,The Killing(Danish:Forbrydelsen) is a Danish police procedural that starsSofie Gråbølas Detective Inspector Sarah Lund. Each season explores a new case set in Copenhagen, with each episode covering one day of the investigation. Besides Gråbøl, the series also starsSøren Malling,Lars Mikkelsen,Morten Suurballe, and more in supporting roles.
The Killingwas quite favorably received when it first aired on the Danish national television channel DR1 in 2007. However, it was its international release that brought the show such a massive cult following, with dedicated fan bases around the world. A gritty series with near-perfect storytelling, cinematography, and acting, the show offers viewers a holistic perspective on crime by showing the struggles of the victims’ families and the political consequences of the investigations. The show has earned numerous accolades, including a BAFTA and three International Emmy nominations.
