A gripping Nordic noir series on Netflix has captivated audiences, earning praise as a 'masterful' crime drama that many viewers are only now discovering. The Finnish show, titled Deadwind, originally aired in 2018 and has since gained a cult following for its intricate storytelling and atmospheric setting.
Plot and Characters
The series follows Sofia Karppi, portrayed by Pihla Viitala, a recently widowed detective in her 30s working for the Finnish police. Balancing the care of her young son and teenage stepdaughter, she returns to work in Helsinki. Her initial case involves the death of a social affairs consultant, which evolves from a missing person inquiry into a murder investigation concealing dark secrets.
Fan Reactions
Viewers have taken to IMDb to express their admiration. One fan wrote: 'Masterfully written, terrifically told, and beautifully acted.' Another commented: 'Not a lot of people know about this show, it's a Nordic noir show based in Finland, specifically Helsinki. The show is really underrated and a great watch. Definitely one of the best Nordic noir series I've seen, even better than the ones based in Iceland.'
A third reviewer noted: 'Superb! If you've never seen a Nordic crime drama before, watch this in native Finnish with English subtitles and I guarantee you will be hooked. There is no CGI and the acting skills with body language, dialogue, direct plot lines are masterful.'
One enthusiast described it as a 'nailbiting mystery drama,' adding: 'Maybe it's the similar drum beats in the composer that reminds me of AMC's The Killing, but fans of that show are sure to like this one. The two very different partners are interesting to watch.'
Awards and Production
Following its release, Deadwind received a nomination for Best Nordic Screenplay at the 2018 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize ceremony. Produced by Dionysos Films, CEO Riina Hyytiä spoke about the opportunity for Netflix to champion Nordic noir, saying: 'We are extremely proud to launch Deadwind internationally on Netflix because we know that the Nordic noir fan base will be there and it's a unique opportunity for our series to reach a large international audience.'
She added: 'Signing such a big deal is something you dream about, and at the same time it's just a conclusion for long-lasting hard work on the series.'
Where to Watch
All three seasons of Deadwind are currently available to stream on Netflix.
