Just when you thought January couldn’t get any darker, Channel 4 has added a Scandi noir to its catalogue as an accompaniment for those gloomy nights.
This latest addition to the broadcaster’s thriving foreign-language arm Walter Presents, The Pushover, is set in the North Zealand region of Denmark, otherwise known as the Danish Riviera.
Picture a haven of stylish coastline hotels, lovely stretches of dune-backed beach and old-timey sailing boats bobbing in the harbour. This is the setting for our moody thriller.
The six-parter is based on Lone Theils’ sixth book in her bestselling Nora Sand franchise, which has been published in over 20 countries and several languages.
The inciting action for the Danish drama is the discovery of a wealthy woman, dead in her swanky swimming pool. The suspicion soon falls on her boyfriend Tom. Fair enough, because he has a chequered past as a notorious con artist and Tinder-swindler.
Scammer Tom surprises everyone by turning himself in for his girlfriend’s murder, admitting to fraud but insisting his crimes have never gone to the extremes of murder, labelling her death an accident.
On the case are seasoned police inspector Morten Stark and high-flying Danish journalist Nora Sand, neither of whom initially knows they’re hounds on the same scent.
This is the second adaptation featuring the character of Nora Sand, after the hit show Fatal Crossing, which is also available to stream on Channel 4. You lucky things!
The Pushover reunites the writers of that drama, Arne Berggren and Kristine Berg. Channel 4 has promised that this second go at the character leads her towards ‘chilling secrets’.
When the show was announced, author Lone Theils said in a statement: ‘I am incredibly happy and proud that [production company] Shuuto is now shooting the second season from the Nora Sand universe.
What other thrillers can you stream now?
- Fallout. The Amazon Prime post-apocalyptic saga is an adaptation of the hugely popular video game.
- Ponies. Emilia Clarke stars as a widow working undercover in Cold War Moscow, tasked by the CIA with honey-trapping high-level KGB agents to get intel.
- Grosse Pointe Garden Society. Revolves around the four members of a suburban garden club, whose lives go topsy-turvy after a murder.
‘It has been a magical experience to see my character come to life on the screen. I am unspeakably happy that Nora has touched so many readers and viewers alike.’
The show is parsed out into six story-specific episodes: The Murder, The Confession, The Reconstruction, The Interview, The Connection and the rather ominous and obscurely-named finale, The House. Each comes in at around 40 minutes apiece.
Viewers on IMDb have praised the show’s ‘quietly gripping’ action, setting it apart from high-concept crime dramas that bite off more than they can chew. While some found it moved a touch slow, others enjoyed the measured pace.
Is The Pushover one for you?
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Absolutely?
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Scandi noir isn't to my taste
The Pushover is available to stream on Channel 4.
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