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| Forbrydelsen | |
|---|---|
| Show name | Forbrydelsen |
| Genre | Crime drama |
| Creator | Søren Sveistrup |
| Starring | Sofie Gråbøl, Søren Malling, Mads Mikkelsen |
| Country | Denmark |
| Language | Danish |
| Num episodes | 36 |
| Runtime | 52–60 minutes |
| Company | DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation) |
| Network | DR1 |
| First aired | 2007 |
| Last aired | 2012 |
Forbrydelsen is a Danish television crime drama series created by Søren Sveistrup and produced by DR. It premiered on DR1 and became a defining example of Scandinavian noir alongside works such as The Killing (U.S. adaptation), The Bridge and adaptations like Wallander (TV series). The series notably elevated the international profiles of actors including Sofie Gråbøl, Søren Malling and Mads Mikkelsen, and prompted discussions in outlets alongside BBC and Netflix acquisitions.
The series is set in Copenhagen and centers on homicide investigations led by Detective Inspector Sarah Lund, portrayed by Sofie Gråbøl. Employing serialized narrative arcs, the show interweaves police procedural elements with political intrigue involving figures such as ministers and officers connected to institutions like Politiets Efterretningstjeneste and agencies referenced in plotlines touching on scandals reminiscent of events involving Thule Air Base controversies and public scrutiny similar to inquiries following the Iraq War. The narrative tone and visual style place it within the same international conversation as productions by Nordic Noir auteurs and networks including SVT and TV4.
Each series (season) follows a central murder mystery that unfolds over multiple episodes. The first season traces a complex homicide investigation that implicates characters linked to Danish Social Democrats-era politics and profiles resembling figures from contemporary European political crises like the Iraq invasion debates. Subsequent seasons broaden scope: the second involves a long-buried case resurfacing with ties to organized figures akin to those in Prohibition-era gang narratives and international trafficking routes associated with ports such as Hamburg and Aarhus; the third engages terrorism, radicalization, and conspiracies intersecting with institutions comparable to Interpol and NATO-related incidents. Throughout, plotlines bring in legal milestones and events echoing inquiries like the War Crimes Tribunal proceedings and public scandals paralleling revelations in Watergate-style investigations.
The principal cast includes Sofie Gråbøl as the central detective, allied on-screen with actors such as Søren Malling portraying senior investigators and Mads Mikkelsen appearing in a guest capacity. Supporting performers include prominent Danish and Scandinavian actors who later worked with filmmakers like Lars von Trier, Susanne Bier, and Thomas Vinterberg. Recurring roles feature politicians, journalists, and law enforcement officials comparable to figures in stories about the European Parliament and national cabinets, with characters interacting across institutions related to criminal justice and media outlets similar to DR Nyheder and Politiken.
Created by Søren Sveistrup, the production was developed within DR Drama and filmed on location across Copenhagen neighborhoods, municipal buildings, and Nordic landscapes reminiscent of sites frequented by productions shot near Frederiksberg and the Øresund Bridge. The writing and direction team included collaborators who had worked on series for ZDF and BBC Four, combining tight episodic structure with long-form character arcs. The series’ aesthetic — muted color palettes, sustained close-ups, and immersive sound design — aligned with cinematographers and composers who later partnered with creators of Borgen (TV series) and Wallander (film series). Production logistics involved cooperation with unionized crews and broadcasters in Scandinavia, and the show benefited from funding models practiced by public-service entities like DR and co-productions with European broadcasters.
Upon its debut on DR1, the series drew strong domestic ratings and became a cultural phenomenon, prompting rebroadcasts and international distribution deals with networks such as BBC Four, ZDF, and streaming platforms including Netflix. Critics compared the series to contemporary crime dramas airing on HBO and AMC, and scholarly commentary placed it within analyses alongside works by Henning Mankell and Stieg Larsson. Audience reception was notable for appointment-to-viewing behavior, merchandizing and fan discussions appearing in outlets like The Guardian and The New York Times. The series also influenced commissioning strategies for Nordic public broadcasters such as DR, SVT, and NRK.
The series received national awards from institutions analogous to the Bodil Awards and selections at festivals like Canneseries and Montreal World Film Festival screenings for television. Cast and crew accumulated honors in acting and writing, with the show credited for catalyzing international careers and adaptations, most famously inspiring The Killing (U.S. TV series) and influencing creators of Broadchurch, Top of the Lake, and later crime dramas across Europe and North America. Its legacy persists in academic curricula focusing on television studies at universities such as University of Copenhagen and media programs that examine the global circulation of Nordic narratives.
Category:Danish television series Category:Crime television series Category:Television series set in Copenhagen