Douglas Henshall’s Nordic noir thriller is free to watch

Douglas Henshall trades the rugged landscapes of Shetland for the icy setting of Iceland in The Darkness, a six-part Nordic noir mystery that gives the actor a very different role.

Best known for playing Detective Inspector Jimmy Pérez in the BBC crime drama, Henshall appears here as Petur, a widowed neighbour whose own experience of loss connects him to the troubled detective at the heart of the story.

The 2024 series follows veteran Reykjavik detective Hulda Hermannsdóttir, played by Lena Olin, as she prepares to leave the police force. What should be her final investigation instead draws her into a case that becomes increasingly disturbing.

It begins when the frozen body of a young Russian asylum seeker is discovered inside a glacier.

Hulda’s final investigation takes a darker turn

Based on Ragnar Jónasson’s thriller series, The Darkness centres on Hulda as she approaches early retirement.

Rather than simply preparing to step away from her career, she becomes determined to uncover the truth behind the woman’s death. She is joined by Lukas, played by Endeavour star Jack Bannon, and the pair begin piecing together a mystery that soon proves far more complicated than expected.

Their investigation eventually uncovers links to a human trafficking operation exploiting refugees.

At the same time, Hulda is forced to confront painful parts of her own past. The death of her daughter continues to affect her deeply, making an already difficult case increasingly personal as the danger surrounding the investigation grows.

Directed by Lasse Hallström, the English-language series premiered in 2024 and was filmed in Iceland. It is based on Jónasson’s bestselling work.

Douglas Henshall steps away from his familiar detective role

For viewers who know Henshall primarily as Jimmy Pérez, The Darkness provides a noticeable change of pace.

His character, Petur, is Hulda’s neighbour and a member of her walking group. Like Hulda, he is also a widower and is attempting to rebuild his life after suffering a major loss.

Rather than placing Henshall at the centre of the investigation, the role allows him to deliver a quieter performance while Hulda’s case drives the main storyline.

The cast also features Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Þorsteinn Bachmann and a number of Icelandic performers.

A slow-burning mystery built around atmosphere

Much of the series’ appeal comes from the way it builds tension gradually.

Viewers have praised the performances, describing the characters as believable and the acting as gritty. The mystery unfolds at a measured pace, allowing Hulda’s personal struggles and the wider investigation to develop alongside one another.

The Icelandic setting is equally important. Remote, snow-covered landscapes give the drama a stark sense of isolation, reinforcing the bleak mood as Hulda gets closer to the truth.

Audience reactions have also highlighted the depth of the characters. What begins as an investigation into a body found in a glacier develops into a story with increasingly complicated personal and criminal connections.

Six episodes make it an easy weekend watch

With only six episodes, The Darkness offers a relatively compact mystery for viewers looking for something they can finish over a weekend.

The story follows Hulda from the discovery of the body through the investigation’s increasingly complicated twists. The first episode is titled The Mountain of Pigs, while the sixth and final episode is So Eden Sank to Grief.

For fans of Henshall, the series also provides an opportunity to see him in a role far removed from the determined police officer he played in Shetland.

Where to watch The Darkness for free

The Darkness is currently available to stream for free on All4.

The six-part drama stars Lena Olin as Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir, Jack Bannon as Lukas and Douglas Henshall as Petur. Lasse Hallström directed the series, which is based on Ragnar Jónasson’s The Darkness.

For viewers drawn to Nordic crime dramas, bleak landscapes and mysteries that become increasingly personal, The Darkness offers a darker and more understated way to see one of Shetland’s best-known stars.