There are differing views on the origins of the Nordic noir genre, but most commentators agree that it became well established in literature and on-screen during the 1990s. At first the genre had no particular name and the term “Nordic noir” first appeared in the British media when used to discuss its rise in popularity during the 2010s.
AND OTHER CONTINENTAL CRIME DRAMA
NORDIC NOIR
There are differing views on the origins of the Nordic noir genre, but most commentators agree that it became well established in literature and on-screen during the 1990s. At first the genre had no particular name and the term “Nordic noir” first appeared in the British media when used to discuss its rise in popularity during the 2010s.
LITERATURE
Nordic noir has a very distinctive style: realistic, simple stripped-back dialogue, and stories which unfold in bleak, chilling landscapes, permeated by a sense of isolation and loneliness. The protagonists are typically morose detectives, worn down anti-heroes, while multi-layered plots and themes often link investigations to the dark underbelly of modern society and a corrupt system.
Per Wahlöö and Maj Sjöwall’s 10 Martin Beck novels written between 1965 and 1975 received a great deal of attention for mixing traditional crime fiction with a focus on modern social issues. They went on to directly influence author Henning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander series of books in the 2000s which helped make the genre a mass phenomenon. He is often referred to as ‘the father of Nordic noir’.
LITERATURE
Nordic noir has a very distinctive style: realistic, simple stripped-back dialogue, and stories which unfold in bleak, chilling landscapes, permeated by a sense of isolation and loneliness. The protagonists are typically morose detectives, worn down anti-heroes, while multi-layered plots and themes often link investigations to the dark underbelly of modern society and a corrupt system.
Per Wahlöö and Maj Sjöwall’s 10 Martin Beck novels written between 1965 and 1975 received a great deal of attention for mixing traditional crime fiction with a focus on modern social issues. They went on to directly influence author Henning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander series of books in the 2000s which helped make the genre a mass phenomenon. He is often referred to as ‘the father of Nordic noir’.
ON SCREEN
Henning Mankell’s Wallander was the first Nordic detective series shown in the UK in 2008. It starred Krister Henriksson as the Swedish Detective in 32 episodes between 2005 and 2013.
At the same time, an English language 12 episode adaptation was made by the BBC which starred Kenneth Branagh in the title role. Unlike the Swedish series, the stories were not told in the order of the novels resulting in changes to the character’s backstories.
Both the Swedish and the UK versions were very well-received.
Following Wallander, The Killing was certainly the most influential example of Nordic noir to hit UK screens. Imported from Denmark in 2011, the 2007 series follows the investigation of Detective Inspector Sarah Lund into the murder of a young woman against the backdrop of a mayoral election campaign and a candidate with possible links to the crime.
Although subtitled, it was a ratings hit, noted for its plot twists, dark tone, evocative setting and iconic knitwear! It was an international success and was instrumental in feeding the appetite for similar foreign crime dramas – it ever earned itself a US remake.
In 2012 the acclaimed joint Swedish-Danish venture, The Bridge, aired on the BBC and achieved impressive viewing figures. It begins with the investigation into a body found on the Denmark–Sweden border, in the centre of the connecting Øresund Bridge. It has been shown in more than 100 countries.
The Bridge was followed in 2015 by the Swedish TV series Beck, based on the influential Harry Beck novels, starring Peter Haber as the titular character. Also in 2015 ITV showed Jordskott, again a Swedish series, which followed detective Eva Thörnblad’s investigations into a missing child case.
ON SCREEN
Henning Mankell’s Wallander was the first Nordic detective series shown in the UK in 2008. It starred Krister Henriksson as the Swedish Detective in 32 episodes between 2005 and 2013.
At the same time, an English language 12 episode adaptation was made by the BBC which starred Kenneth Branagh in the title role. Unlike the Swedish series, the stories were not told in the order of the novels resulting in changes to the character’s backstories.
Both the Swedish and the UK versions were very well-received.
Following Wallander, The Killing was certainly the most influential example of Nordic noir to hit UK screens. Imported from Denmark in 2011, the 2007 series follows the investigation of Detective Inspector Sarah Lund into the murder of a young woman against the backdrop of a mayoral election campaign and a candidate with possible links to the crime.
Although subtitled, it was a ratings hit, noted for its plot twists, dark tone, evocative setting and iconic knitwear! It was an international success and was instrumental in feeding the appetite for similar foreign crime dramas – it ever earned itself a US remake.
In 2012 the acclaimed joint Swedish-Danish venture, The Bridge, aired on the BBC and achieved impressive viewing figures. It begins with the investigation into a body found on the Denmark–Sweden border, in the centre of the connecting Øresund Bridge. It has been shown in more than 100 countries.
The Bridge was followed in 2015 by the Swedish TV series Beck, based on the influential Harry Beck novels, starring Peter Haber as the titular character. Also in 2015 ITV showed Jordskott, again a Swedish series, which followed detective Eva Thörnblad’s investigations into a missing child case.
Sofia Helin as Saga Norén, lead
homicide detective in The Bridge.
Sofia Helin as Saga Norén, lead
homicide detective in The Bridge.
While shows such as The Killing and The Bridge ignited the British appetite for continental foreign language crime dramas, it was in fact a French show which led the way.
Spiral, a series which followed the work and private lives of officers in the Parisan police force, debuted in 2003, and was the first subtitled police drama shown in the UK, on BBC4, five years before The Killing. With its gritty, unvarnished depiction of the French capital, criminal underworld and legal system, it ran for eight series over 15 years and has been hailed as one of the most consistently absorbing and gripping police procedurals in TV history.
Also from France, came Braquo, about a Parisian cop drawn into a web of corruption, and Witness, which follows the investigation by a female detective into three seemingly unconnected murders. While other recent examples of Nordic noir include Bordertown, from Finland, and Trapped from Iceland.
