“Highly bingeable… the filmmakers return more visually expressive than in the first season to really highlight the mental struggles of some of the characters.”

Looking for a gripping new thriller? Black Sands Season 2 brings “Little Iceland” back to our screens, a saying often used by Icelanders when funny coincidences occur—like when your childhood bully ends up being your psychologist. These among many more small-town connections are found in Black Sands second season, the gripping Icelandic noir series now available in the UK and USA with Viaplay.

Aldís Amah returns as the police woman Aníta, now dealing with the challenges of raising her new born daughter in their small hometown Glerársandur, which still has many dark secrets and fresh murders to solve. Returning as well are Aníta’s colleagues in the police Fríða played by Lára Jóhanna Jónsdóttir and Tómas played by Aron Már Ólafsson. A body is found in a car accident, which after further investigation is being treated as a murder case. The woman found dead in the car was Tómas’s grandmother, and one of the suspects is Aníta’s uncle…Little Iceland. 

The Dark Themes of Black Sands Season 2

Abuse cases in foster homes is something that the Icelandic nation is sadly very familiar with, new cases have been springing up in the last fifteen years almost non-stop. So it’s not surprising that filmmakers have started exploring the effect those cases can have on small communities.

This season takes the audience back in time to see where most of Black Sands troubles began, which was the foster home Anita’s grandmother ran. The scars run deep which really makes you wonder; How can you be a police officer in such a small community where everyone knows everyone? 

The acting ensemble in this season is incredibly strong, not just the veteran actors, but also the newer talents such as Mímír Bjarki Pálmason who plays the younger version of Davíð, Aníta’s uncle and Aðalbjörg Emma Hafsteinsdóttir who plays Jonna the daughter of Gústi the Police chief, both of them show great promise. Ævar Þór Benediktsson has long been known in Iceland for both his comedy roles and children programs, so it’s fun to see him return as the tough ill-tempered police chief Gústi. 

Motherhood and relationships with mothers is a strong theme throughout the season as Aníta struggles to find her motivation and willpower to raise her daughter, often recalling the fractured relationship she had with her own mom.

Aldís Amah in a recent interview with Nordic watchlist highlighted the importance of putting light to this subject. Opening up the space for people to talk more comfortably about the difficulties and the demands of what being a parent often is.  

The fictional Icelandic town of Glerársandur (cleverly named after the director’s production company Glassriver) has definitely seen better days as secrets unravel and everyone is affected…or murdered, in this highly bingeable return for Black Sands Season 2.

The filmmakers return more visually expressive than in the first season to really highlight the mental struggles of some of the characters. 

Where to Watch Black Sands Season 2

If you are a dedicated fan of dark, layered Icelandic noir, Black Sands Season 2 is a highly bingeable mystery that absolutely deserves a spot on your current watchlist. For viewers looking to catch up or experience the dark secrets of Glerársandur from the very beginning, both seasons are available for streaming right now on Viaplay in the UK and USA. Don’t miss this gripping and visually stunning crime drama.

Black Sands Seasons 1 and 2 are available to watch on Viaplay US and Viaplay UK