‘Excellent’ Nordic noir crime thriller Arctic Circle is your weekend TV binge

Crime drama fans looking for your next TV binge, Channel 4 has got you covered. The fourth season of Finnish drama, Arctic Circle, which follows police chief Nina Kautsalo as she investigates a mysterious mass death at a retirement home, has landed on the streaming service just in time for the weekend.

The dark crime series, which first aired in Finland in 2018, follows Nina Kautsalo as she delves into dangerous cases that straddle the border between Russia and Finland, all while trying to sustain a family life with her two children. 

Arctic Circle is the latest addition to Channel 4’s offshoot streaming service, Walter Presents, which features award-winning foreign-language dramas hand-picked by Italian TV producer, Walter Iuzzolino (Professor T, Bookish, The Couple Next Door). 

If you’re a fan of twisty Nordic noir thrillers with breathtaking scenery and compelling crime cases, then it might be worth checking out Arctic Circle. But before you do, find out all you need to know about the show below…

What is Arctic Circle about?

Set during winter in Lapland, the series follows Chief of Police Nina Kautsalo (Iina Kuustonen) as she struggles to balance her demanding job while raising her two children, Santeri (Lily Jääsvuo) and Venla (Venla Ronkainen).

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The story follows Nina as she looks into a mysterious mass death at a retirement home, which is linked to an astronomical event that last occurred 2000 years ago. 

The synopsis reads: “When the rare Eiscat comet blazes across the endless night sky in its first appearance in two thousand years, it draws scientists from around the world to Ivalo for an international conference.

“After the FBI warns of a potential threat, Nina’s former boss, Jaakko Stenius (Kari Ketonen), arrives to lead a covert investigation with her. As they dig deeper, chilling links emerge between the comet and a fanatical sect determined to fulfill an ancient prophecy before the comet disappears again.”

What have viewers said about the show?

The series has been hailed as “excellent” by viewers, who have highlighted the stunning scenery and cinematography.

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One person penned: “If you like Nordic noirs then you’ll love Arctic Circle. The cinematography is beautiful. The acting and plot are well done,” while another added: “The show itself has a brilliant storyline and the location for filming sets the scene nicely. The acting is superb, especially the young girl who plays Venla.”

A third viewer hailed the show as an “excellent” thriller, adding: “This series has it all: interesting story with multiple plot lines, nice balance between drama and thriller, good acting by everyone involved (Finnish actress Iina Kuustonen is a marvel to watch) and beautiful shots of vast snowy landscapes in Lapland. 8/10.”

© Channel 4

Meanwhile, the series has been well received by critics, with The Critic Magazine hailing the second season as “complex and ambitious,” noting the “spectacular” scenery and “world-class” fight sequences.

Seasons one to four of Arctic Circle are available to stream on Channel 4.