Douglas Henshall’s gripping Nordic crime thriller is free to watch
The Shetland star takes on a very different role in this atmospheric six-part mystery, which has been praised for its tense story and gritty performances.
Fans of atmospheric crime dramas have another reason to seek out Douglas Henshall, with the Shetland star appearing in the six-part Nordic noir thriller The Darkness.
The 2024 series puts Henshall in a very different setting from the BBC crime drama that made him a household name. While viewers know him best as Detective Inspector Jimmy Pérez in Shetland, he plays Petur in The Darkness, a widowed neighbour whose life has also been shaped by loss.
The series follows veteran Reykjavik detective Hulda Hermannsdóttir, played by Lena Olin, as she takes on what is supposed to be the final investigation of her career.
And the case begins with a chilling discovery: the frozen body of a young Russian asylum seeker is found in a glacier.
A final case turns increasingly personal
Based on Ragnar Jónasson’s thriller series, The Darkness centres on Hulda as she approaches early retirement. Rather than quietly stepping away from the job, she becomes determined to solve the cold case surrounding the woman’s death.
Her new partner Lukas, played by Endeavour star Jack Bannon, joins her investigation. The two have to work together as Hulda follows a trail that takes her into increasingly disturbing territory.
The investigation reveals connections to a human trafficking operation exploiting refugees, while Hulda is also dealing with painful events in her own life.
Her daughter’s death continues to weigh heavily on her, adding another layer of personal trauma as the investigation becomes more dangerous.
The six-episode series was directed by Lasse Hallström and premiered in 2024. The English-language production is based on Jónasson’s bestselling work and was filmed in Iceland.
Douglas Henshall takes on a quieter role
Henshall’s part is considerably removed from the determined police detective audiences associate with Shetland.
As Petur, he plays Hulda’s neighbour and a member of her walking group. A widower himself, Petur is trying to rebuild his life after experiencing a major loss.
The character gives Henshall a more understated role within a story dominated by Hulda’s increasingly intense investigation.
The cast also includes Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Þorsteinn Bachmann and other Icelandic performers.
Viewers praised its atmosphere and performances
The series has attracted praise from viewers who enjoyed its slow-building tension, bleak Icelandic setting and complicated characters.
One of the recurring themes in audience reactions is the strength of the performances. Viewers have described the acting as gritty and believable, while others highlighted the way the mystery gradually draws the audience deeper into the story.
The pacing has also been singled out. Although the drama takes its time developing the characters and Hulda’s personal struggles, viewers have praised the way the story maintains suspense and keeps the investigation moving.
The Icelandic scenery is another major part of the show’s appeal. Its remote, wintry landscapes reinforce the isolated atmosphere of the investigation and give the series a distinctly Nordic noir feel.
A number of viewers also felt the characters had more depth than they initially expected, with the story continuing to unfold after the central mystery is introduced.
A six-episode mystery to binge
The Darkness consists of six episodes, making it a relatively easy crime drama to watch over a weekend.
The series was released in 2024 and follows Hulda’s investigation from the discovery of the body through the increasingly complicated case. Official series information lists six episodes, with the first titled The Mountain of Pigs and the final episode So Eden Sank to Grief.
For Henshall fans, it also offers the chance to see the Scottish actor in a role that is markedly different from Jimmy Pérez.
Watch The Darkness for free
The Darkness is currently available to stream for free on All4, making it an easy choice for viewers looking for a dark crime thriller.
The six-part series stars Lena Olin as Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir, Jack Bannon as Lukas and Douglas Henshall as Petur. It is directed by Lasse Hallström and is based on Ragnar Jónasson’s The Darkness.
If you enjoy Nordic crime dramas built around an atmospheric setting, a troubled detective and a mystery that gradually becomes more personal, The Darkness offers a darker way to see one of Shetland‘s best-known stars.