‘Dark and intense’ crime drama based on book hailed ‘visually striking’
A new dark Nordic crime drama is set to be released on Disney Plus in October – and it’s based on a best-selling book
Disney Plus has just unveiled the trailer and first glimpse of a gripping new crime drama branded as “dark, visually striking and suspenseful”.
The programme will be available to watch exclusively on Disney+ in the UK and Ireland and Hulu in the US from October 15.
Comprising six episodes, the show is adapted from bestselling writer Mikael Niemis’ novel and stars Gustaf Skarsgård, recognised for his performances in Vikings and Oppenheimer.
The programme in question is To Cook a Bear, and it unfolds in northern Sweden in 1852.
Skarsgård portrays a pastor, who arrives with his family in the remote village of Kengis.
The limited series is set in 19th century Sweden (Image: DISNEY)
The synopsis states: “With a strong belief in justice and change, he challenges the local elite but faces resistance as his fiery sermons ignite hope for a better life among the poor farmers.
“At the same time, the village is shaken by disappearances and frightening rumours of bear attacks.
“When the pastor and his Sámi foster son, Jussi, lead the search, they make a horrific discovery that creates deep rifts in the village’s fragile community.
The series will air on Hulu and Disney Plus (Image: DISNEY)
“The pastor is drawn into a dangerous battle, where forbidden love, power struggles, and brutal acts push the village toward a violent reckoning where no one is safe.
“What are the villagers willing to do to protect themselves, and where does the line between justice and vengeance lie?”
The programme was shot in more than 40 different locations across Finland and the northern regions of Sweden. Skarsgård described it as a “dark and intense story about social exclusion, truth, and humanity with an amazing Nordic cast”.
The series follows a similar format to Dark – Netflix’s German programme featuring a collection of troubled characters from the fictional town of Winden as they search for clues after a child goes missing.
Dark lasted for three seasons and marked the streaming platform’s debut German-language original production.
Skarsgård continued: “The end of the 1800s were a very interesting time in the northern parts of the Nordics and it ́s been a privilege to bring Mikael Niemis’ great thriller to the screen.”
