Denmark's True Crime Wave: Murder Mysteries Go Mainstream
A new generation of Danish television and podcasts are bringing cold cases and criminal investigations to international audiences
The KrimiNyt editorial team
Denmark's media landscape has experienced a surge in true crime programming over the past several years, with broadcasters and production companies investing in documentaries and podcasts that examine the country's most perplexing murder cases and criminal investigations.
Among the most recent additions is **Skyggesiden**, which launched in 2023 on TV 2 Play. The series is hosted by two seasoned crime reporters, Janni Pedersen and Carsten Norton, whose journalism experience brings credibility to the investigations. The magazine-format program distinguishes itself through exclusive access to documents and interviews with key figures connected to the cases it covers.
Another significant player in Danish true crime television is **Station 2**, which has been broadcasting on TV 2 since 1994. Unlike newer entries to the market, Station 2 maintains a broader scope, covering both Danish criminal cases and international crimes. Its long-standing presence demonstrates sustained public appetite for crime-focused programming in Denmark.
A documentary series simply titled **Forbrydelsen** premiered on Kanal 5 and takes a distinctive approach to storytelling. Rather than focusing solely on investigations or police perspectives, the series features the perpetrators themselves recounting their thoughts and motivations during the crimes they committed. This dual perspective—combining criminal narratives with law enforcement insight—offers viewers a multifaceted examination of how crimes unfold and are subsequently solved.
The cases profiled in this documentary series span different types of criminal activity. Among them are the Escape from Vridsløselille State Prison, the Rembrandt Robbery, and the Kummefryser Murder. By examining these distinct cases, Forbrydelsen demonstrates the diversity of criminal investigations that Danish media considers compelling enough for extended exploration.
Beyond television, the podcast medium has proven fertile ground for Danish true crime content. **Mørkeland**, a dedicated true crime podcast, debuted on February 20, 2018, and has since established itself as a substantial voice in the space. The podcast has produced over 100 episodes focused on murder mysteries, building an archive of investigative content that remains accessible to listeners worldwide. The podcast format has allowed for deeper dives into cases, with episodes exploring the nuances of investigations in ways that traditional television schedules might not permit.
These programs reflect a broader international trend of true crime entertainment gaining prominence in media consumption. However, the Danish offerings bring a distinctly Nordic perspective to the genre, often featuring cases with regional significance while maintaining the investigative rigor and production values that audiences have come to expect from Scandinavian media.
The success of these programs suggests that international audiences have appetite for true crime content originating from outside traditional American and British markets. As streaming platforms and digital distribution expand the reach of Danish productions, these series and podcasts have the potential to introduce global viewers to Scandinavian criminal cases and investigative methodologies.
While detailed information about specific cases remains primarily available in Danish-language sources, the existence and proliferation of these programs indicate a growing recognition of true crime as a significant genre worthy of investment and production resources in Denmark.
**Sources**
https://www.kriminyt.dk/da/medier/serier/danske-true-crime-programmer-kaster-lys-p-mordmysterier
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/dk/discoverynetworksdanmark/pressreleases/masser-af-fest-fart-og-foelelser-paa-discovery-networks-danmarks-kanaler-til-efteraaret-2624960
https://rucforsk.ruc.dk/ws/files/68082927/Morkeland_Kandidat_Projekt_2020.pdf
https://vbn.aau.dk/ws/files/260540697/Mord_metafysik_KIM_indhold_TRYK.pdf
https://terningkast15.rssing.com/chan-17334893/all_p8.html