The Killing – Forbrydelsen is a must-watch the original Danish language classic Nordic Noir. This Danish police procedural drama television series was created by Søren Sveistrup and it stars Sofie Gråbøl as the lead actor.
Although you can also find the series with the same name The Killing from the USA, we humbly suggest you all – watch the original TV series Forbrydelsen from Denmark first. Although we have seen both the Danish and the USA versions of The Killing series, we really loved its Danish version more. The Killing is a USA remake produced by the American cable network AMC in 2011, which stars Mireille Enos and has a slightly different storyline than that of the original Danish series – Forbrydelsen.
Table of Contents
Focus:- Nordic/Scandi/Scandinavian – Noir
Before we delve any further into the details of The Killing TV series, allow us to explain the Nordic Noir briefly.
Well according to the Nordics: “The Nordic Noir is most often considered to be a specific genre of TV series. However, it also includes literature, film productions, and video games. Besides, it has even been extended to style, design, and music. Its key elements include a murky atmosphere, dark narratives, and flawed protagonists. Its popularity may lie in the fact that it usually undercuts the dominant narrative of the Nordics as thriving states with happy people and successful economies, but there is a dark underbelly here, too.”
The Nordic Noir genre is also known as Scandinavian Noir or Scandi Noir, as it is set in the Nordic or Scandinavian countries of Europe. This kind of crime fiction genre is usually written from a police point of view. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland Islands are part of the Nordic Region.
Now, that you have got the basic information, let us talk about The Killing series.
The Killing – Forbrydelsen series:- details
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller |
| Original title | ‘Forbrydelsen’ (Danish) means ‘The Crime’ (English) |
| Seasons & Episodes | Season 1 (Twenty – 20 Episodes) released in 2007 Season 2 (Ten – 10 Episodes) released in 2009 Season 3 (Ten – 10 Episodes) released in 2012 Three (3) Seasons = Total = Forty (40) Episodes |
| Creator | Søren Sveistrup |
| Cast | Sofie Gråbøl, Morten Suurballe, Lars Mikkelsen, Søren Malling, etc. |
| Awards | BAFTA Awards 2011 – Winner – BAFTA TV Award – Best International – Søren Sveistrup, Piv Bernth, Birger Larsen, Sofie Gråbøl (The first season won in the “Best International” category.) Crime Thriller Awards, UK 2011 – Winner – Dagger – Best International TV Drama Crime Thriller Awards, UK 2011 – Winner – Dagger – Best Leading Actress – Sofie Gråbøl Crime Thriller Awards, UK 2011 – Winner – Dagger – Best Supporting Actress – Ann Eleonora Jørgensen Crime Thriller Awards, UK 2013 – Winner – Dagger – Best International TV Drama – For Series Three Danish Film Awards (Robert) 2013 – Winner – Audience Award – TV Series Danish Film Awards (Robert) 2013 – Winner – Best Actor in a TV Series (Årets mandlige hovedrolle – tv-serie) – Nikolaj Lie Kaas Danish Film Awards (Robert) 2013 – Winner – Best Actress in a TV Series (Årets kvindelige hovedrolle – tv-serie) – Sofie Gråbøl Danish Film Awards (Robert) 2013 – Winner – Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series (Årets mandlige birolle – tv-serie) – Olaf Johannessen Danish Film Awards (Robert) 2013 – Winner – Best Danish Television Series (Årets danske tv-serie) |
The Killing – Forbrydelsen Series:- {Spoilers Free} brief review
I enjoyed every minute of this incredible crime drama – great themes, tight storylines, superb acting, et al. I think, this dark and haunting crime drama from Denmark, might leave you shaken to your core.
In the leading role of Detective Sarah Lund, actor Sofie Gråbøl has excelled; and on a side note I personally loved her collection of beautiful sweaters (winter wear – pullovers) that she has worn in this engrossing crime series. No, I am really serious about the high-quality designs of her sweaters. If you don’t believe me then check her pictures on the posters shared below.
Besides, the awesome theme music of this series still haunts me, whenever I listen to it. It is a beautiful piece of music. To appreciate the beauty of a very well-written, directed and acted crime Nordic Noir drama.
Actually, this Danish show has crossed borders and garnered critical acclaim in other European countries – particularly in the United Kingdom, Germany and The Netherlands. Since then, this Scandi Noir “Forbrydelsen” has become an international hit. I believe The Killing (Forbrydelsen) should be put in the category of a must-watch series. Oh yes. Surely. Positively. Definitely.
The Killing – Forbrydelsen {Season 1} Series
Forbrydelsen {S1/2007} series:- poster
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Forbrydelsen {S1/2007} series:- synopsis
Detective Sarah Lund (Sofie Gråbøl) puts her retirement plans on hold when a young girl is found brutally murdered in a car linked to prominent politician Troels Hartmann (Lars Mikkelsen). As she tracks the intricate web of suspects, Sarah becomes increasingly consumed by the case. This highly acclaimed Danish crime thriller spans the course of a 20-day police investigation into the murder of a young girl.
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Forbrydelsen {S1/2007} series:- trailer
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Forbrydelsen {S1/2007} series:- ratings
| FM’s rating | 4.25/5 |
| IMDb rating as of the date | 7.99/10 |
The Killing – Forbrydelsen {Season 2} Series
Forbrydelsen {S2/2009} series:- poster
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Forbrydelsen {S2/2009} series:- synopsis
Two years after the Nanna Birk Larsen case, Sarah Lund (Sofie Gråbøl) is a shell of her former self. But when the body of a woman is found with ties to the military and the political sphere, Detective Inspector Sarah returns to hunt a violent, calculated killer. Season two of the series has ten episodes where part of the police investigation supposedly takes place in Afghanistan.
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Forbrydelsen {S2/2009} series:- trailer
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Forbrydelsen {S2/2009} series:- ratings
| FM’s rating | 4.10/5 |
| IMDb rating as of the date | 7.76/10 |
The Killing (Forbrydelsen) {Season 3} Series
Forbrydelsen {S3/2012} series:- poster
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Forbrydelsen {S3/2012} series:- synopsis
After 25 years in the police force, Sarah Lund (Sofie Gråbøl) is finally at peace. But when a young girl is kidnapped, she finds herself caught between a wealthy shipping family and the prime minister as the case leads to a dark secret that implicates every party. This original Scandi Noir offers an insight into the political and business worlds of Denmark.
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Forbrydelsen {S3/2012} series:- trailer
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Forbrydelsen {S3/2012} series:- ratings
| FM rating | 4.19/5 |
| IMDb rating as of date | 7.92/10 |
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Please note: The overall IMDb rating of The Killing (Forbrydelsen) series is 8.40/10 as of date.
Check out a few more Nordic Noir:-
Featured & Other Images: The Killing (Forbrydelsen) | IMDb.