In recent decades, Scandinavian detectives have experienced an unprecedented take-off - “The Hypnotist” and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” appear in the movies, on the screens “Bridge” and “Murder” collect the highest ratings. Surely in the harsh North Atlantic characters and landscapes there is something that captivates the viewer. It’s like you are watching a fairy tale: cold, gloomy and alarming, but so exciting that you can’t come off. It is not surprising that series similar to The Bridge (Sweden, Denmark) began appearing in TV programs around the world.
Telehit Adaptations
Unfortunately, many techniques and methods of the Scandinavian noir at this moment are poorly reproduced far from their "area". Despite the popularity of adaptation, Nordic hits lend themselves very poorly. The only exception is the American “Murder” with M. Inos and the British “Wallander” with C. Bran. The remaining attempts, including the domestic “Crime” or the English-French “Tunnel”, although they relate to series similar to the “Bridge”, alas, do not exceed their originals.
In the big movie, the abundance of Hollywood adaptations of the novels of the Scandinavian authors is also not observed. Fincher with his "Girl with a Dragon Tattoo" demolished, it would seem, all the barriers. But few followed. Although interest in film and television productions of the Nordic countries is growing every day, actors who have played the main roles are surrounded by international armies of fans, amateur enthusiasts do not get tired of translating texts, and television people from different countries remove new adaptations. For example, soon the public will be able to evaluate the Russian “Bridge” with M. Porechenkov and I. Dapkunaite in the lead roles.
The cult Scandinavian television series
When listing TV shows similar to The Bridge (Sweden, Denmark), a bit of attention should be paid to the original project. The brainchild of screenwriter, producer and writer Hans Rosenfeldt is an exemplary Scandinavian noir: gloomy, cruel and cold in the north. At the center of the story is the autistic Saga Noren (Sofia Helin) from the Malmo Police and the police detective Copenhagen Martin Rode (Kim Bodnia). They are investigating a murder whose victim is thrown on the Ă–resund bridge. Moreover, the head of the corpse is located in Sweden, and the lower part of the body is in Denmark. The killer does not stop there, continuing to terrorize the population of both states. And Martin and Saga, forced to become partners, each time find themselves one step behind the maniac.
American option
The leader's position among the series similar to Most (Sweden, Denmark) is taken by the American adaptation of the project. Despite the fact that the investigation of the mysterious murder that connected the United States and Mexico is still inferior to the European version, it has impressive potential for the future when it can go on a free voyage.
During a short power outage, a corpse appears on the border between the US and Mexico. Accordingly, its upper part lies on American soil, and the lower - in the jurisdiction of Mexico. Detective Sonya Cross (Diane Krueger) and investigator Marco Ruiz (Demian Bishir) take up the investigation. According to critics, it is difficult for American actors to compete with Scandinavian colleagues. Kruger loses to Sofia Helin, who even with all the baggage of oddities looked like a man, and Demian Bishir, unfortunately, does not create such a disposable and attractive image as Kim Bodnia. Also, the calm cool atmosphere disappeared from the narrative, the American “Bridge” is Latin-American bright, noisy and vociferous.
Skeleton in the closet
Among the series similar to Most (Denmark, Sweden), another product stands out, which is the result of the collaboration of television men from Denmark, Norway and Sweden - Murder (2007-2012). The story begins with the murder of a young girl, which entailed a protracted police hearing. The main character - detective Sarah Lund (Sophie Grobel), who is about to get married, is forced to postpone the event until the end of the investigation. Indeed, suspicion falls on the first candidate for mayor of Copenhagen. But soon the detective concludes that despite the politician's obvious involvement in the crime, the circle of suspects is much wider.
The English version of the Scandinavian "Murder" also refers to the series, similar to the series "Bridge" (Sweden). The project tells about one crime from three points of view - detectives, suspects and family members of the deceased. The plot turns out all the secrets, political intrigues. And when the characters begin to think that they have survived the worst, the past does not leave them alone.
List of the best TV projects
TV shows similar to “Bridge” (Sweden, Denmark) can also include such television projects:
- “Killing on the beach” (2013-2017). Detectives Ellie Miller (Olivia Coleman) and Alec Hardy (David Tennant), despite mutual hostility, have to unite to investigate the death of an eleven-year-old student. The news of the murder spreads throughout the town, and a chain reaction and investigation will pull out all the secrets of Broadchurch residents.
- The Collapse (2013-2016). In this series, the population of Belfast in Northern Ireland is terrorized by a serial maniac (Jamie Dornan), and local policemen are not able to figure out the murderer. Therefore, an expert - detective Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson), who is able to understand this mysterious and terrible case, is sent to help them.
- Usually the plot component in series similar to The Bridge (Denmark) is famously twisted around the personality of an investigator or a duet of detectives. The television movie “The One Who Kills” (2011) was no exception. At the center of the story is investigator Catherine Rhys Jensen (Laura Bach). For an impressive period, she leads the criminal investigation department. Catherine with particular passion searches for rapists and maniacs, as in childhood she herself was subjected to violence from her stepfather. In investigations, she is assisted by Stig Melbek and Thomas Schaeffer.
Recommended for viewing
“Tunnel” (2013-2018) - adaptation of the “Bridge” by French and British television people. The corpse is now found in the tunnel between the UK and France. The investigation is conducted by the Frenchman Elise Wasserman (Clemence Poesy) and the Englishman Karl Roebuck (Stephen Dillane). As in the original version, detectives expect a shocking discovery.
Code 100 (2015) is a 12-episode police series related to films similar to the Bridge series. Maniac kills young girls, puts the bodies on a bed of daffodils. Panic is mounting in Stockholm. To help the local police, American detective Tommy Conley (Dominic Monaghan) is sent, who, with the Swedish partner Mikael Eklund (Mikael Nyukvist) begins the hunt for a serial killer.