Fans of gripping crime dramas set against breathtaking landscapes with a captivating lead character are being directed to a Finnish series that critics and audiences alike have praised. Bordertown (also known as Sorjonen) is a Nordic noir series set in Lappeenranta, Finland, about 30 kilometres from the Russian border, and is available to stream free on Channel 4.
Plot and Cast
Created by Miikko Oikkonen, the show stars Ville Virtanen as Detective Inspector Kari Sorjonen, a highly regarded officer at Finland's National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Sorjonen, who displays traits of savantism and is a high-functioning autistic man, relocates his family to Lappeenranta, where he tackles complex cases while balancing his demanding home life.
The series spans three seasons with 31 episodes. Virtanen is joined by Matleena Kuusniemi, Anu Sinisalo, Lenita Susi, Kristiina Halttu, Olivia Ainali, and Ilkka Villi, among others. The show's success led to a film spin-off, Bordertown: The Mural Murders, which debuted in autumn 2021 and is now on Netflix.
Critical and Audience Acclaim
Critics have praised the series for its twist on traditional police procedurals and its beautiful Nordic landscapes. One reviewer wrote: "That European register... gives a twist to the most traditional [police series], supported by the beautiful Nordic landscapes." Another noted: "Detective Inspector Kari Sorjonen follows in a long tradition of savant detectives; he's eccentric, brilliant, obsessive, better with evidence than navigating social situations. But as created by Miikko Oikkonen, he's also complex and nuanced."
Audience reviews echo this sentiment. One IMDB user called it "Finnish crime noir tour-de-force!" and added, "Bordertown is an endearingly intelligent, moorishly entertaining Finnish crime-noir drama series of the highest ilk." Another wrote: "Simply outstanding. All crime series are second to this. It's utterly gripping, fantastic acting, great storylines and the horrifying details will keep you glued to the TV in anticipation for the next scene or episode."
A Rotten Tomatoes review stated: "This show is big, it's bold, packed with drama, tension, and action in all of the right places. All of this is perfectly complimented with beautiful imagery set in the Finnish town of Lappeenranta paired with a brilliant soundtrack. It takes crime busting TV to an entirely different level." An IMDB review added: "SUPERB CRIME DRAMA! Well......this is a gripping nail biting edge of your seat crime drama with excellent twists n turns n heaps of tension n suspense throughout."
Streaming Details
Sorjonen (Bordertown) is available to stream for free on Channel 4.
