Some have already gained fame, like The Chestnut Man, while others are quickly attracting attention, such as The Asset, which became the third most-watched show on Netflix U.S. after just two days. Yet many more remain “hidden” in Netflix’s catalog. We’re talking about Scandinavian TV shows, all sharing a common feature: suspense intertwined with tension. This is why the genre has come to be known as Nordic Noir.
We’ve selected the must-watch Nordic Noir TV shows from Netflix’s recent releases. For each show, you’ll find its trailer and a summary of the plot.
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The Asset
The story follows Tea, a young Secret Service agent assigned a high-risk mission: to infiltrate a violent criminal network that has slipped out of the authorities’ control. Assuming a new identity, she must get close to Ashley, the girlfriend of the criminal mastermind Miran, and gather crucial information to dismantle the organization. As Tea delves into Ashley’s hidden life, she uncovers not only the brutal realities of the criminal world but also the emotional vulnerabilities of the woman she is spying on.
This growing closeness puts Tea’s loyalty to the test and forces her to make impossible choices. Classic themes of spy thrillers emerge: personal sacrifice, identity manipulation, and the delicate line between duty and emotion.
► Read the full profile and whatch the trailer
Deadwind
Spanning three seasons, this Finnish police thriller (originally titled Karppi) immerses viewers in the heart of Helsinki through the eyes of Sofia Karppi, a detective returning to work after a devastating personal trauma. Rejoining her team, she is partnered with the analytical Sakari Nurmi to investigate the disappearance of a woman. When the body is discovered buried in a garden, the case rapidly escalates into a murder investigation tied to a construction company.
For Sofia, solving the crime becomes more than a duty—it’s a path to reclaiming meaning and piecing her life back together after the loss of her husband. The tension between her private life and professional responsibilities makes her acompelling and credible protagonist: a mother of two and a determined detective.
The Chestnut Man
This Danish miniseries is the brilliant creation of writer Søren Sveistrup, adapted from his novel of the same name. It explores the boundaries between fiction and reality, alternating moments of raw violence with eerie calm. The story begins in 1987, when a family is found brutally murdered on their isolated farm. Years later, in Copenhagen, the discovery of a young woman’s mutilated body—with a severed hand—appears to bear the signature of a ruthless killer: a figurine made of chestnuts and sticks.
Detective Naia Thulin and her colleague Mark Hess will investigate the case. What connection does the disappearance of politician Rosa Hartung’s daughter have with the killer known as “The Chestnut Man”?
Barracuda Queens
Set in the 1990s, this Swedish series spans two seasons and combines psychological tension with the raw energy of coming-of-age, capturing the courage of a generation determined to defy the rules. Unusually for the genre, the story centers not on the police but on the criminals themselves. The action unfolds in Stockholm’s upscale Djursholm district, where four seemingly perfect teenagers lead double lives. Confronted with financial struggles and existential frustrations, they begin burgling the homes of their wealthy neighbors.
What follows is a dangerous game between appearance and reality, between the desire for freedom and the risk of collapse. As their thefts grow bolder, the group faces not only the authorities but also their own moral limits. With an elegant blend of suspense, classic crime elements, and social commentary, the series exposes the cracks in a society that can no longer even safeguard its privileged youth.
A Nearly Normal Family
This legal thriller revolves around a seemingly perfect Swedish family whose life is turned upside down when their teenage daughter is arrested on a murder charge. As the trial unfolds, hidden secrets and lies surface, severely testing mutual trust and forcing each family member to confront their conscience, revealing how far they are willing to go to protect one another.
Based on the bestseller by Mattias Edvardsson, which has sold over 550,000 copies across 35 countries, the series brings the author’s vision to life. “I’m overwhelmed! It’s a dream come true to see my book adapted as a Netflix series,” Edvardsson said.
The Nurse
Technically a medical drama but also a true crime story, this Danish miniseries recounts the harrowing case of Christina Aistrup Hansen, a woman who killed her patients at Nykøbing Falster Hospital in Guldborgsund, southern Denmark, by unknowingly administering large doses of morphine and diazepam (Valium). Her crimes were uncovered thanks to her colleague, Pernille Kurzmann Larsen, who persuaded the police to investigate what was happening inside the hospital.
When her serial killings were exposed in 2015, peaceful and orderly Denmark was shocked. The trial sparked a media frenzy, fueled by detailed testimonies from colleagues that cast dark shadows over the entire ward.
► Read the full article and watch the trailer
Katla
The series takes its name from Katla, a subglacial volcano looming over the Scandinavian landscape, known for its rare but devastating eruptions. In its shadow, the town of Vik is being evacuated to avoid potentially lethal volcanic activity. Gríma is the only resident who chooses to stay, driven by hope of finding her sister Ása, who vanished during the eruption.
Gríma also persuades her father, Þór, and the local hotel owner to join her search for Ása. They are later joined by hospital staff, security personnel, and Darri, a passionate geologist who has studied Katla’s activity for years.
Equinox
This Danish psychological thriller follows Astrid, a woman haunted by the mysterious disappearance of her sister Ida and their entire school class in 1999. At the time, she was only nine years old, and the traumatic event left deep scars, including disturbing visions that continue to torment her. Twenty-one years later, in 2020, Astrid has become the host of a late-night radio show.
When one of the three survivors of that tragedy contacts her — and dies shortly after under suspicious circumstances — she decides to reopen the case. Her investigation will lead her to uncover a dark and disturbing truth, involving her family much more than she ever imagined.
► Read the full article and watch the trailer
