Snake Killer & Rinnan slither onto Prime Video—Nordic crime hits level

Prime Video’s first Danish original, *Snake Killer*, premiered in January and has set the tone for a broader push into Nordic storytelling.

The four‑part series, starring Pilou Asbæk as Brian “Smiley” Petersen, follows a Copenhagen narcotics unit as it battles a brutal heroin baron. , the show marks a milestone in the service’s Scandinavian strategy.

The platform is now adding two more crime‑heavy dramas: *Rinnan*, a Norwegian World War II series about Gestapo agent Henry Rinnan, and *Murder in the Dark*, a four‑part saga based on Dan Turèll’s novels.

Both aim to broaden Prime Video’s appeal beyond its traditionally male‑dominated Nordic audience by incorporating more feminine perspectives and younger casts.

Widstrand, who took over the Nordic originals team in August last year, is steering a shift toward female‑led stories and unscripted formats while maintaining a strong crime core. Her goal: to deliver 20‑25 local originals each year that mix high‑budget drama with regional talent and international co‑productions.

## Background & Context

Prime Video entered the Danish originals arena with *Snake Killer* earlier this year. The series, directed by Anders Ølholm, follows a notorious Copenhagen narcotics police unit known as Uropatruljen that operated from 1965 to 2001.

The show was produced in collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios and has become a reference point for the platform’s Scandinavian ambitions.

In addition to *Snake Killer*, the Nordics slate includes *Rinnan*, co‑produced with Norwegian broadcaster TV2. The Miso Film production is set to launch in the fall and dramatizes the life of infamous traitor Henry Rinnan.

Widstrand noted that partnerships with local broadcasters “help us with deep understanding of the local audience, while we bring the Amazon package and the premium feeling of doing high‑end drama.”

Another Danish entry, *Murder in the Dark*, is a four‑part series from SAM Productions and Amazon MGM Studio based on Dan Turèll’s book series. The narrative centers on a retired journalist and his daughter, an ambitious police detective, offering a broad appeal across gender lines.

Widstrand added that the series follows Prime Video’s aim to “build on that psychological thriller and crime vibe” while integrating strong female perspectives.

The platform’s expansion strategy also includes *Sarek*, a Swedish four‑part psychological thriller adapted from Ulf Kvensler’s debut novel. The show stars Felix Sandman, Kitt Walker Johansson, Alva Bratt, and Nora Rios and targets a younger demographic with a known IP.

Widstrand described the project as an example of the Nordics’ “strategy to age down the audience and focus on well‑known IP.”

## What People Are Saying

“We’re really trying to build on that psychological thriller and crime vibe, doing it with strong creators and within established Nordic genres,” Widstrand told during a Copenhagen TV Festival interview.

She added, “Moving forward, we’ll have a more feminine point of view.” Her comments reflect the platform’s observation that female‑led stories such as *The Idea of You*, *Pretty Little Liars*, and unscripted shows like *LOL: Last One Laughing* have performed well globally.

“When we started out, we had a very broad audience, and we’ve really seen the appeal of female‑led stories through global hits like The Idea of You and Pretty Little Liars, as well as unscripted shows like LOL: Last One Laughing,” Widstrand continued. She emphasized that Prime Video is “building on that… alongside our crime audience.”

The platform’s commitment to local IP and co‑production models was further highlighted when she discussed *Rinnan*: “We’ve had a fantastic collaboration with TV2 in Norway with Rinnan, a project we’re launching this fall.” She noted that the partnership allows both parties to “react together” and “benefit from their deep understanding of the local audience.”

On talent and funding, Widstrand said, “I would say both.

Talent has had a few tough years, and I think it’s hard for talent to navigate what commissioners want to commission and what their creative vision is.” She also mentioned that “Budgets have been kind of the same… even though there’s been inflation, so it’s really hard to adapt to that.” The need for collaboration with local broadcasters has become “more collaborative space with financing,” she added.

## What Happens Next

Prime Video plans to launch *Snake Killer* in January, with *Rinnan* slated for a fall release and *Murder in the Dark* targeting Christmas Day. *Sarek* is expected to join the slate later this year, aiming to attract a younger audience through its star‑studded cast.

The company anticipates adding 20‑25 local originals annually across scripted and unscripted formats.

Widstrand has expanded her remit to include unscripted content, stating that “Strategy and programming are still separate, but I took on the overall responsibility for our Nordic local originals.” This move reflects a broader industry trend toward blending scripted dramas with high‑profile reality shows, such as *LOL:

Last One Laughing*, which she noted performs well “across territories.”

The platform’s next steps involve further co‑production deals with broadcasters like TV2, as well as exploring international rights sales. “It really speaks to that strategy,” Widstrand said of *Sarek*.

She emphasized that the show’s setting in Kiruna and its youthful ensemble highlight Prime Video’s focus on “well‑known IP” and “collaborative financing.”

Prime Video’s ambition to balance crime thrillers with female‑led narratives and unscripted formats signals a strategic shift toward a more diverse Nordic audience.

With new releases lined up and partnerships deepening, the platform looks poised to broaden its footprint in Scandinavia while maintaining the high‑production standards that have defined its global brand.