New Nordic Noir

Murders… Rain… Sinister struggles… More rain… It’s New Nordic Noir! Thanks to a run of massively successful dark Danish dramas, international audiences are getting to know Copenhagen's streets like the back of their hands.

Following on from the Emmy-nominated series The Killing, featuring Danish actress Sophie Gråbøl and that sweater, Borgen is the latest hit TV series in a strong wave of new Nordic Noir.

Here are some fun facts about The Killing and Borgen, as well as deadly new Nordic Noir to look forward to, and inspiration for a Copenhagen city break with a difference...

If you love The Killing, why not...

• Try one of the five excellent Danish drama series that have won Emmys in the last ten years. They include The Protectors (Livvagterne), Unit One (Rejseholdet), The Eagle (Ørnen), Nicolaj og Julie and Young Andersen.

  

• Come to Copenhagen! Denmark's capital is the place to experience the unique atmosphere of Danish dramas such as The Killing and Borgen. The historic city centre is compact and you can pack a lot in on foot.

• Curl up with one of Denmark's many thrilling page-turners, from Peter Høeg’s international bestseller Miss Smilla’s Feeling for Snow (Miss Smilla's Sense of Snow), to popular new reads Only One Life by Sara Blædel, The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler Olsen and The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl and Agnete Friis.

 

• Immerse yourself in Scandinavia and see how Danish crime fiction has been chilling readers for years, with Barry Forshaw’s book Death in a Cold Climate: A Guide to Scandinavian Crime Fiction. 

 

• Venture to one of Copenhagen’s popular suburbs, each with their own unique charm, attractions and locations from many a dark, Danish drama on page and screen. Click on the following suburb guides, for inspiration and events. 

Borgen

A tense new taste of Danish politics
Borgen follows female Prime Minister, Birgitte Nyborg (Sidse Babett Knudsen, left) and her fictional power struggles in Danish politics.

Borgen also stars Mikael Birkkjær (The Killing) and is already a huge ratings success. A US remake is in production and series two will air in the UK later in 2012.

Fiction or reality?
In 2011, Denmark elected its first-ever female Prime Minister. Borgen was written before the election took place, but mirrored the events that followed with spooky accuracy. See photos of Prime Minister Thorning-Schmidt in action.


Visit Folketinget, The Danish Parliament
On an island at the heart of the Copenhagen’s old town is the Danish Parliament. Take an English guided tour of Folketinget and the mysterious crypts below. Tours include the intriguingly-named Wanderer’s Hall, which contains an original copy of the Danish constitution.

What they're saying about Borgen:

• 'It's brilliant, it's Danish – and it's got knitwear! It's Borgen, the new The Killing' - The Guardian.
• The Independent calls Birgitte Nyborg 'this year's Sarah Lund'.
• 'Borgen is the Danish West Wing' according to The Telegraph.

 

The political impact of Borgen:

• The Telegraph - 'The Killing has gripped government, and I expect Borgen will have the same impact this year.'

• The Guardian - 'For anyone wanting to see a woman politician operating at the top of her game, the new Danish drama Borgen offers a brilliant, if fictional, example.'

 

The next Sarah Lund?

The series Those Who Kill has already sold to over 25 countries with an American remake on the way. This crime thriller introduces another strong female lead, happy to run around in the dark with only a torch, Detective Katrina Ries Jensen. A big screen version of the series has just been released in Denmark.