Imagine a 20 episode, complex, tightly scripted, beautifully acted, crime drama produced by British TV, No? The BBC have continued their policy of scouring the world for high quality crime drama. This time it's Denmark.
Forbrydelson / The Killing is an outstanding, powerful, drama that seeks to show not just the criminal investigation of a murder, but the devastating effect that the crime has on the victim’s family and friends. Part police-procedural, part family drama, part political drama, it chronicles a 20-day police investigation in 20 episodes, allowing for events to unfold realistically from different points-of-view. It reminds me of another brilliant European series – Engrenages (Spiral) from France.
The police investigator in charge is Sarah Lund (Sofie Gråbøl), who is sucked into the case on what should be her last day before taking a new job in Sweden. She's a confident, intelligent, nicotine-gum-chewing policewoman who is extremely good at her job. The contrasts between Lund’s methods of investigation and those of her male co-investigator are highlighted throughout (sometimes to droll comedic effect): the implication is that the different policing styles are firmly gendered, and the ‘male’ style does not come off well at all.
I would highly recommend The Killing - it’s a significant cut above your average crime series, and was rightly lauded in Denmark where it first appeared in 2007.