Autumn is coming and that means people go a bit bananas for all things Nordic. The good news is that there happens to be plenty to get stuck into including the re-release of one of our favourite series, a new Jo Nesbo, and some great releases on Viaplay.
FILMS & TV SERIES
The Investigation | TV Series | Viaplay UK | 2nd September
If you had the misfortune of having missed this fascinating series when it first aired on the BBC a couple of years ago, then this is an opportunity to watch it, and one you should not miss. When it comes to Nordic series, for us personally, this is, quite frankly, one of our absolute favourites.
But with that favouritism comes the realism and the fact that this story is based on a true crime that shook the nation when the murder of Kim Wall hit our headlines. The series focuses on how they managed to catch the killer responsible with incredible police work (and patience).
For some, it might grate because it is a going by the books of a real investigation and the procedural required for that – but that is what makes it so fascinating. Throw in one of the best cast line-ups in a Nordic television series (can it actually be beaten?) and you truly have something very special here. Let’s hope Tobias Lindholm’s new series will be picked up by Viaplay!
End of Summer | TV Series | Viaplay USA | 10th September
Opening with the sudden disappearance of a young boy in the 80s we learn that the search for him is unsuccessful with many of the locals coming to their own conclusions of what happens. Flash forward 20 years later and we catch up with the boy’s sister Vera (played by the brilliant Julia Ragnarsson) who has seemingly managed to move on from the trauma of her past by moving away from the town and living a different, but complicated, life in the city.
One day during one of our counselling sessions a young man named Isak (Erik Enge) appears who seems to be very familiar to Vera, and his background even more so – is it possible that he is her missing brother?
Whilst the series twists and turns there is a solid supporting cast to help the story along with the likes of Vilhelm Blomgren (Midsommar), Simon J Berge (Exit), and Torkel Petersson (The Unlikely Murderer).
All & Eva | TV Series | Viaplay UK Exclusive | 24th September
Prepare for the highly anticipated arrival of All and Eva, a fresh and hilarious take on the comedy-drama genre, starring acclaimed Swedish actor Tuva Novotny (Annihilation, Eat Pray Love) in the lead role. After rave reviews and a record-breaking debut in Sweden, this six-part drama is set to make its UK debut exclusively on Viaplay from 23 September.
The story follows Eva, a confident and independent woman who has taken matters into her own hands to have a baby. Unconvinced by the idea of love, Eva believes her happiness lies in self-love and her close-knit friendships. After selecting the perfect sperm donor in Copenhagen, she can’t resist the urge to meet him in person. What follows is a surprising encounter with Mads (Joachim Fjelstrup – Ride Upon the Storm, The Girl With The Needle), who turns out to be kind, normal, and far from the psychopath she feared. Satisfied with her choice, Eva returns to Stockholm, but Mads can’t stop thinking about her and has his own plans—completely unaware of the secret she’s carrying.
All and Eva is a refreshingly enjoyable series about life, longing, and everything in between. Don’t miss this unique and entertaining comedy-drama.
Taelgia | TV Series | Viaplay UK & USA | 3rd September (UK) & 24th September (USA)
Taelgia, a gripping Swedish crime drama, is set to make its UK premiere on Viaplay on 9 September. Created by Jens Östberg (Blowfly Park), this standout series delves into the lives of residents, police, and criminals as they navigate the harsh realities of Södertälje’s mean streets.
In Södertälje, families, police, and criminals are entangled in a web of loyalties, demands, and guilt. As some struggle to find a better life, others find themselves trapped in a relentless cycle of crime. The series follows the story of Gabriel (John Hanna), who moves into the Ronna district and quickly becomes entangled with Marko (Jonay Pineda Skallak), a local teenager dealing drugs. Together, they descend into the dark underworld of serious crime, where mounting unrest and family debts threaten to consume them.
With the success of Snabba Cash, Deliver Me, and Thin Blue Line, Taelgia is a gritty, must-watch crime drama that sits somewhere between all of those while still feeling very fresh. Don’t sleep on this one!
Billionaire Island | TV Series | Netflix | 12th September
This new Netflix series is filmed on the island of Frøya in Trøndelag and offers a fresh, humorous take on Norway’s widely discussed fish farming industry. Trine Wiggen stars as the ruthless owner of a Norwegian fish farming company, determined to execute a hostile takeover of her local competitor to become the world’s largest salmon producer.
Imagine a Norwegian mix of Succession and salmon fish farms!
Black Sands | TV Series | Viaplay UK | 30th September
Black Sands, the award-winning Nordic Noir series, is set to arrive on Viaplay from the 30th of September. The series was originally released on an ITV channel but those who never got round to watching it can try again with its arrival on Viaplay UK. Co-written by and starring Aldis Amah Hamilton (The Valhalla Murders, Katla), this groundbreaking series has already garnered critical acclaim. Hamilton, the first actress of colour to be nominated for Best Actress at the Edda Awards—often referred to as Iceland’s Emmys—delivers a powerful performance in this dark and compelling drama.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Iceland’s famous black sands, the series follows troubled police officer Aníta Elínardóttir (Hamilton) as she reluctantly returns to her hometown to confront her abusive mother. However, her personal demons must take a back seat when a body is discovered, plunging her into a dangerous hunt for a serial killer who has been disguising murders as accidents for years. As the tension mounts, Aníta must race against time to catch the killer before they strike again.
BOOKS
Blood Ties – Jo Nesbø | 26th September
In the Nordic book world, a new Jo Nesbø book is always a hugely anticipated event. For those waiting for the next Harry Hole series book though it’s a longer wait, as this time round Nesbø, returns to a standalone series, with Blood Ties, a sequel to the 2020 novel The Kingdom.
As brothers Car and Roy Opard seem to have moved on from the dark events of the Kingdom the local sherif still hasn’t forgotten the past. Nesbø never pulls his punches so expect plenty of dark twists in this highly anticipated sequel. As interest builds in the forthcoming Netflix adaptation of his Harry Hole books, readers will get the chance to delve more into what could become a new series.
Blood Ties by Jo Nesbø will be published by Harvill Secker on September 26 2024
EVENTS
Nordic Film Club | 18th September
We will be discusssing Dogs Don’t Wear Pants, a Finnish favourite of ours. Interested? Let us know via email at info@nordicwatchlist.com and we’ll send you the event link.
