Wallander

Wallander is a British crime drama, adapted from Swedish novelist Henning Mankell's best-selling "Wallander" detective novels. The show, led by Kenneth Branagh as the grizzled Detective Kurt Wallander, revolves around solving gruesome crimes in the picturesque but often sinister landscapes of Skåne, Sweden. Branagh brings a tangible sense of world-weariness and existential dread to his character, making you feel the weight each case adds to his already heavy shoulders.

One thing that sets this series apart is its stunning cinematography. Wallander is known for making the most of its rural Swedish setting, presenting us with a breath-taking but eerie backdrop which becomes a character in its own right. On top of this, there's a palpable blend of the melancholia, dread, and occasional humour that is characteristic of Scandinavian crime fiction.

Wallander isn't without its flaws. Some of the episodes are way too grim, and the pacing can be a bit on the sluggish side. Nevertheless, for those seeking a deeply character-driven detective series that's willing to dive into the existential cesspool with its protagonist, "Wallander" is going to hit the spot.