Harmonica
Back in the 1990s, couple Harry and Monica were the chart-topping country music duo Harmonica. Since then, their life has gone a little off key. In a last-ditch attempt at salvaging their career and their relationship, they take off on a European tour, bringing their problems to a crescendo, but also offering them a chance to find their long-lost harmony. This five-part Swedish offering is a treat, and stars the show’s creators Jonas Karlsson (The Perfect Patient) and Josephine Bornebusch () as Harry and Monica.
The Dreamer – Becoming Karen Blixen
Danish (who was no stranger to pseudonyms) became known for her writing talent, most notably for her semi-autobiographical novel Out of Africa (which was later adapted into the Academy Award-winning Sydney Pollack film starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep). But this period drama takes us back to before she was recognised as an artist (Blixen was born in 1885), and when, as a young woman, she was humiliated and scorned by a society in which she was forging her own place. In this sensitive and dreamy series, which was in competition at this year’s Canneseries, Connie Nielsen portrays the talented Blixen with depth and aplomb.
Huss
Following in her mother’s footsteps, Detective Katarina Huss (Karin Franz Körlof, ) is a newcomer to the force. Being so green gives her the momentum she’ll need to overcome the hardship of working with crime. Her colleagues present a challenge too, being suspicious of her abilities, and you’d think her mother Irene (Kajsa Ernst) would be more supportive, but no. Betrayal and corruption await Huss; her work’s certainly cut out for her in this Swedish crime drama.
Blackport
Exploring how power and wealth can corrupt, this follows Harpa (Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir) and Grimur (Björn Hlynur Haraldsson) who, with their childhood friends, have built a small fishing empire. But its success has transformed the couple, resulting in feuds fuelled by jealousy, greed and betrayal. Expect deadpan humour, too, in this intriguing offering set in the 1980s.
Delete Me
Teenagers Marion (Amalia Holm) and Marit (Thea Sofie Loch Naess, , now streaming at SBS On Demand) are about to finish high school and have their eye on an American college scholarship through their places on the national synchronised swimming team. But in the midst of enjoying the infamous Norwegian high school celebration – “a month-long celebration centred on drinking, party buses and wild challenges” – they discover how quickly their lives can turn upside down by the releasing of a sex tape. With its contemporary themes, this coming-of-age seven-part drama from creator Marie Kristiansen is on point.
Pørni
Norway’s refreshingly relatable six-part comedy-drama Pørni is about the dilemmas you end up in when you do your best for your loved ones and yourself: in that order. Pørni has two daughters with a self-absorbed ex who has moved to Copenhagen, an ailing father who is going through a teenage-like phase, and has taken in her 15-year-old nephew, after her sister was killed in a car accident. Also on her laden plate is her job in child welfare, where she has a crush on Bjørnar, the county lawyer. Pørni is about an everyday but challenging life, and celebrates the humour present in the chaos.
Two Sisters
Based on the book series by Hannah Widell and Amanda Schulman, Julia Ragnarsson and Dilan Gywn star as sisters Vanessa and Alicia. The pair live together and share everything, but when little sister Alicia moves in with her boyfriend, she rocks the boat for Vanessa, who, not used to fending for herself, finds self-destructive ways to deal with the change. Meanwhile, Alicia is trying to adapt to an unfamiliar lifestyle of luxury with the wealthier Philip (Hannes Fohlin). This eight-part Swedish sibling drama is full of love and intense emotion.
Dough
Winner of the 2022 Kristallen award (Sweden’s equivalent of the Emmy® Awards) for Best Drama Series of the Year, this funny and dramatic mini-series from Sweden is about robbery, money laundering and running a bakery. At first glance, Liana (Bianca Kronlöf) and Malou's (Helena Af Sandeberg) live couldn't look more different. While single mother Liana is an indebted single mum and her boyfriend is behind bars for robbery, Malou looks to be a woman living the decadent and luxurious life in Stockholm, but that façade is on the verge of collapsing. When she accidentally stumbles upon the stolen millions of Liana's boyfriend she opens a bakery to launder the money and the paths of theese two women cross in unimaginable ways.
Witch Hunt
Inspired by true stories of whistle-blowers in Norway, fighting for justice and taking huge risks, these people often become targeted themselves – the systems that are meant to protect them can let them down, leaving them alone and unsupported with tremendous stress and fear.
Peer Eggen (Mads Ousdal), a major finance and businessman, is positioning himself for an important acquisition, all while a troublesome tax case is on its way to court. Meanwhile, an invoice from an unknown Dutch company lands on the desk of Ida Waage (Ingrid Bolsø Berdal), chief accountant at the influential law firm Biermann & Gude. The amount is modest, but seemingly lacks basis, and Ida discovers the invoice is part of a money laundering operation on behalf of B&G’s biggest client, Peer Eggen. She alerts the board, but instead of going after the ones responsible, they turn on her with harassment and fabricated accusations.
Exit
Based on shocking true stories from the exclusive world of Oslo’s high finance, this Norwegian drama follows four friends who seem to have it all. The men are driven by narcissism and getting whatever and whoever they want. At their private party pad, they escape the boredom of their lives with hedonism and reckless partying.
From successful writer/director Øystein Karlsen (Dag, One Night), the series boasts an award-winning cast from the stage and screen, many of whom will be familiar to SBS viewers, including Simon J. Berger (Conspiracy of Silence), Pål Sverre Hagen (Valkyrien), Tobias Santelmann (The Last Kingdom), Jon Øigarden (Mammon), Ine Marie Wilmann (Sonja: The White Swan) and Agnes Kittelsen (Happy, Happy).
