Nordic Noir has provided rich pickings over the past few years, spawning a host of quality remakes that come damn close to matching the original feel and quality of the original source material.
Based on the Danish original hit Forbrydelsen, US remake, The Killing is based in Seattle and follows detective Sarah Linden as she deals with the horrors or being a homicide detective. Determined to retire, marry her fiancé and move her family to California she is continually drawn back into the grisly world of murder and politics.
All three seasons are strong, with an excellent supporting cast and a subtle, layered plotting that runs through each season, connecting each to the last. This is assured storytelling, the kind that builds slowly, not building to frenzied mid-season ratings grabbers, or worse, fear of early cancellation. The production design and music serve to make Seattle atmospheric and at times foreboding. Think Twin Peaks without the log lady and Killer Bob.
Mireille Enos as Sarah Linden is a revelation. Relatively unknown by today’s standards she is a refreshingly strong female lead not sold on sex appeal or overtly masculine mannerisms.
While perhaps not the ratings winner it should have been The Killing will no doubt find its audience via word of mouth and availability on Netflix (on which season four has just become available). I guarantee once you start watching, you won’t stop.
Product Details — Certificate: 15 / Language: English | The Killing Season 2 DVD (FHED3131 / 4 Discs / RRP: £29.99) | The Killing Season 3 DVD (FHED3084 / 3 Discs / RRP: £29.99) | The Killing Season 1-3 DVD (FHED3161 / 11 Discs / RRP: £69.99) | The Killing Season 2 BD (FHEB3132 / 3 Discs / RRP: £34.99) | The Killing Season 3 BD (FHEB3160 / 3 Discs / RRP: £34.00) | The Killing Season 1-3 BD (FHEB3162 / 9 Discs / RRP: £69.99).
Release Date: 27th October
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