There's a tongue-in-cheek irreverence to this - I love how employees freely talk back to their bosses - yet it still manages to tell an interesting tale. The script is brisk and avoids much of the soap opera backstory that kills so many productions. Kjell Bergqvist is perfect as the irascible but brilliant lead. The supporting cast doesn't disappoint. To top if off, the cinematography and palette are pleasing to the eye. It's all presented with low-key direction that lets the actors and action breathe, punctuated with some above-average CGI effects to mix it up.
28 Reviews
Cocky Old Character Entertains
patricia-haertlein28 April 2021
I disagree that you have to be Scandinavian to truly enjoy this series. This narcissistic detective is irascible and lovable at the same time. Great scenery, very fun supporting cast, and I love the imagined flashbacks. This is a great escape with heart and some unexpected laughs 😉
I am astonished at its relatively low rating here... It is more than okay!
BeneCumb2 May 2020
True, as for profundity and tone, it is no Bron/Broen, Innan vi dör, or Springfloden, but Kjell Bergqvist is still excelling! And the story is there, with its ups and downs and "rattle", but giving food for thought, opportunities to ponder on and over different elements of police business... Well, I am not sure about the real use of taxpayers´money and the inclusion of a young boy to such investigations, but the story remained in its tracks and had its twists and turns - and complex ending.
If Season 2 is created, I will definitely watch it.
PS Season 2 is fine as well -- people can be funny, but crimes never are, this line is well maintained. And again, Berqqvist excels all the others.
If Season 2 is created, I will definitely watch it.
PS Season 2 is fine as well -- people can be funny, but crimes never are, this line is well maintained. And again, Berqqvist excels all the others.
Arrogant, egocentric 'hero' gives this a different, fun feel
bbosma-244036 May 2022
Surprised at some of the low ratings here. This is a very different, very enjoyable series. True to life? Well I hope not, but very entertaining. And I liked the acting. Not hammy and 'deep' in the usual American way, but natural - except for the lead, who always plays his character as an arrogant but brilliant a#$hole, which is the way he should be played.
better then the america version.
surfisfun4 March 2021
A Swedish Sherlock Holmes with an adorable mini Watson.
dklecan27 April 2021
Is this a Swedish noir police procedural? It has none of the elements. 1. It is Not dark and brooding. 2. The protagonist' malleable and lugubrious face is more akin to an Italian or french detective. 3. The camera work is so well lighted, I didn't have to adjust my TV settings to view the scenes. 4. There is actual laughter and jokes with Backstrom and his fellow officers. 5. The crime scene is just a found skull. There are no horrific chopped up bloody bodies, victims tied up in basements, kids abused, or serial plus copycat serial killers. 6. Except for Backstrom recreating an evening in the victim's life, he doesn't seem to drink anymore than most European detectives. 7. There are no long sweeping camera on a drone of the beautiful Swedish landscape. 8. Backstrom is not a lone wolf, but Has a pint size partner in Sweden, and a funky funny officer when working in Thailand, and 9. There some hints for next season, but Backstrom doesn't seem to have a horrific childhood.
I would almost put this murder mystery in the comedy/murder mystery category a la Midsomer Murders or Death in Paradise, etc.
This show has the the most adorable sidekick. Backstrom works the case with the neighbor's kid. The kid steals every scene he is in and is smart and believable not obnoxious.
This show should be renamed Lackstrom or Rackstrom as it has no connection with the US version of Backstrom. There are always those annoying comparisons with the written version or other cinematic versions. The American Backstron, filmed in Portland, is a unique classic, unfortunately, cancelled by corporate idiots. The only similarities between the two Backstroms is that the shows are described as "an arrogant detective.". So? Starting with the first greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes and ending with Batman, they are all arrogant. So just Watch and enjoy both Backstroms.
I would almost put this murder mystery in the comedy/murder mystery category a la Midsomer Murders or Death in Paradise, etc.
This show has the the most adorable sidekick. Backstrom works the case with the neighbor's kid. The kid steals every scene he is in and is smart and believable not obnoxious.
This show should be renamed Lackstrom or Rackstrom as it has no connection with the US version of Backstrom. There are always those annoying comparisons with the written version or other cinematic versions. The American Backstron, filmed in Portland, is a unique classic, unfortunately, cancelled by corporate idiots. The only similarities between the two Backstroms is that the shows are described as "an arrogant detective.". So? Starting with the first greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes and ending with Batman, they are all arrogant. So just Watch and enjoy both Backstroms.
Season 2 -Pretty good at times, but could be better.
larmo27 October 2022
Overall I like the acting, writing, and plots of the series. I've even laughed out loud at some of the dialog from time to time. The production values are good, and I'm frankly surprised that this is an Acorn production, because it looks like it has a larger budget than many of their other series. There are basically two things that I don't like about the second season. The first thing is something that many series are guilty of, and that is what one professional reviewer calls "bloat". Production companies "pad" their series so that they have more episodes than they actually need. The streaming services like the practice because it means that people will keep renewing their monthly subscriptions longer. This means that subplots, some of which can be very unimportant, and at times really annoying, are added to the storylines. The second thing that I didn't like with the second season of the series. Is that Backstrom is not only kind of a self-important weasel, but as the episodes continue. He becomes even more unlikeable, and kind of "chicken hearted". In a way it gets pretty melodramatic, and I don't think it serves the character very well. If there is a third season of the series. I hope Backstrom is more professional and less cowardly, while still being something of a conniving weasel.
Can't wait for the 2nd Season!
graciego14 September 2022
What a breath of fresh air. Layered character development and outstanding performances PLUS a great mystery to unravel. The dialogue is mostly in Swedish and German but I became so engrossed in the story that I did notice the sub-titles after the first few minutes.
The title character, Backstrom (sorry cannot manage the umlauts), is introduced as somewhat of a genius, a celebrity/detective specializing in murders and starring in a television show in which he discusses his cases. He is a little rude and rubs many the wrong way.
I watched it on Acorn but see it can also be viewed in the US on Amazon Prime.
Definitely worth watching.
The title character, Backstrom (sorry cannot manage the umlauts), is introduced as somewhat of a genius, a celebrity/detective specializing in murders and starring in a television show in which he discusses his cases. He is a little rude and rubs many the wrong way.
I watched it on Acorn but see it can also be viewed in the US on Amazon Prime.
Definitely worth watching.
Terrible story and acting
hasslerdag5 April 2020
Great series
sdr-computer14 August 2020
No way he'd be that successful if he drank as much as portrayed
donkey_dick28 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I liked the series but if he drank as much liquor in real life as much as he is portrayed drinking in this series his life would fall to pieces and he'd more likely be laying in a gutter somewhere than be Sweden's number 1 homicide detective. Pretty fun series though. Not bad.
Arrogant Is Mildly Put
westsideschl4 September 2021
Positive: Still and another way for a crime to occur; the usual least expected. Forensics, just average intelligent & believable.
Negatives: Even the series official synopsis calls our lead detective arrogant which to me is putting it mildly. The usual detective character & department issues. Most everyone you meet comes across as someone you wouldn't want to know thus an overall negative vibe. Acting is marginal & staged & police character portrayal not believable. Watching is like sitting though hours of eating spoiled food. What's the point of adding such negativity to one's life?
Negatives: Even the series official synopsis calls our lead detective arrogant which to me is putting it mildly. The usual detective character & department issues. Most everyone you meet comes across as someone you wouldn't want to know thus an overall negative vibe. Acting is marginal & staged & police character portrayal not believable. Watching is like sitting though hours of eating spoiled food. What's the point of adding such negativity to one's life?
Compelling...
canuckteach6 May 2021
I don't get where the low ratings are coming from. This a unique, excellent crime mini-series made in Scandinavia, with some location shots in Thailand. Backstrom is a bit of a scoundrel, not unlike Sherlock Holmes, but he is a terrific investigator. A device the Director uses frequently: Backstrom re-constructs a scene in his head & we watch it replay with him (a little like the true crime series, HOMICIDE HUNTER, JOE KENDA). He has great instincts, but he cuts corners and ticks off a Chief Prosecutor, an ambitious blond lady who, in turn, is determined to bring Backstrom crashing down to earth.
Driving the mini-series are 2 crimes: an armed heist of an armoured vehicle in Sweden, and a murdered Oriental woman whose skull is found on a small island. The DNA in the skull matches that of an Oriental female who died in a Tsunami 5000 miles away! What could the solution be? While Backstrom walks over, through or around his superiors, determined to find the answers, his enemies at home plot his demise-but it won't be easy: Backstrom has powerful friends everywhere.
9/10 after 5 episodes.. looks like another binge for me...
Driving the mini-series are 2 crimes: an armed heist of an armoured vehicle in Sweden, and a murdered Oriental woman whose skull is found on a small island. The DNA in the skull matches that of an Oriental female who died in a Tsunami 5000 miles away! What could the solution be? While Backstrom walks over, through or around his superiors, determined to find the answers, his enemies at home plot his demise-but it won't be easy: Backstrom has powerful friends everywhere.
9/10 after 5 episodes.. looks like another binge for me...
It grows on you..
kentjohansson-7417220 April 2020
Today (20th of April) the last episode was released on cmore, and after watching the full series I have to give it a top notch rating.
This is good, this has all the turns and puzzles one can expect from a good mystery solving drama.
Anyone thrashing this series after a episode or two have not given the story time to evolve and expand.
This is good, this has all the turns and puzzles one can expect from a good mystery solving drama.
Anyone thrashing this series after a episode or two have not given the story time to evolve and expand.
Complete Nonsense
crumpytv31 July 2021
The first couple of episodes were so irritating because the eponymous character came across as an arrogant, rude, narcissistic bore. The crimes seemed to be secondary to him.
This type of character was far more successfully portrayed in the Belgian drama, Professor T.
Then it turned into the more standard Nordic crime drama with a lot less emphasis in the lead's character.
However, I had no idea what the plot was about during episodes 3 and 4 or where it was leading.
I am afraid the boy is just too implausible for words. Could he really walk into a police station and take photos of a crime board without being seen. I don't think so. His role is completely ridiculous as is the whole situation with the lead character and TV coverage.
The plot is just so full of holes in the end it just falls apart. Nothing makes any sense.
This type of character was far more successfully portrayed in the Belgian drama, Professor T.
Then it turned into the more standard Nordic crime drama with a lot less emphasis in the lead's character.
However, I had no idea what the plot was about during episodes 3 and 4 or where it was leading.
I am afraid the boy is just too implausible for words. Could he really walk into a police station and take photos of a crime board without being seen. I don't think so. His role is completely ridiculous as is the whole situation with the lead character and TV coverage.
The plot is just so full of holes in the end it just falls apart. Nothing makes any sense.
Entertaining series.
keithnovak14 August 2021
If you don't like this you may be lacking a sense of humour ... Kjell Bergqvist is not only charismatic he's also pretty funny at times. I'm up to episode four and I'm thoroughly enjoying it but not taking it too seriously ... and I think that is the key!
Stopped watching
gwinegarden-2406618 August 2021
Great tv shows & strong characters that everyone is missing out
nonsensefans1 December 2022
How come this show has low rating? It was really entertaining, It is about detective story solving crimes shows but the main character here was outstanding. Really love the main lead played by Kjell Bergqvist who delivers a strong characteristic as a detective who's somewhat arrogant but has emotional past stories. Storylines also very good , fast paced , some tense moments , mysteries & intriguing. I hope this show could continues for more seasons , more thrilling moments . I really enjoyed binge watching all 2 seasons so far. Need more people to watch this ! It was far better than any american drama series out there.
Absolute Gem!
dee_uson30 April 2021
Great series and I agree with others, the whole show and cast really is very magnetic and you grow with it. I love each and every character, every scene is so delicately balanced with the right amount of intensity, humor and drama. I hope they're are more seasons to come!
Really not up to the grade
laduqesa11 June 2022
From the ludicrousness of the eponymous "hero" to the annoyingness of his brat, this wasn't a show that endeared itself to me. The whole situation was unbelievable inasmuch as a serving cop was allowed a prime position on a red top TV show.
Three stars because I watched both seasons but I have to say that the second one was with a mounting sense of incredulity and unease. The characters just didn't ring true and the storylines were contrived.
I can't recommend this at all.
Three stars because I watched both seasons but I have to say that the second one was with a mounting sense of incredulity and unease. The characters just didn't ring true and the storylines were contrived.
I can't recommend this at all.
When will we get series 2
geoffreyawhite25 February 2021
Phenomenal crime drama from GW Persson.
robertglaso29 April 2020
The writer Leif GW Persson have done a great work with the book and the director took this amazing book and made it a film.
Kjell Bergqvist is the right man for this role, there is more behind the story that meets the eye and you have to read between the lines.
Cant wait for more seasons to come and building further on this review
Kjell Bergqvist is the right man for this role, there is more behind the story that meets the eye and you have to read between the lines.
Cant wait for more seasons to come and building further on this review
Hoping for more!
zdarov14 June 2021
This is just the 'weight' I like in police/murder mysteries. It's a bit edgy without being grotesque. The acting is all good, the characters likable or unlikeable to their realistic degrees. :) I liked the story portrayed, and how it wrapped up. The episode length is nice, too, sometimes I want a 90-minute show but these are easy to fit in and watch two without staying up too late.
Hoping to see more!
Hoping to see more!
Not all "Scandi-noir" is good!
qui_j9 August 2022
This Scandinavian series is just low budget rubbish. The premise is a silly one, and the acting really bad. The audio track is barely audible. The characters fail to engage viewer interest.it is not worth neither time nor effort to watch.
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