In 2024, streaming service Viaplay exclusively brought U.S. audiences some of the very best in European and Nordic television. Please consider a winter binge of these top ten award-winning English and foreign language series and films and see what you’ve been missing. Viaplay’s ‘Best of 2024’ features the hugely popular BBC crime drama Rebus, the revealing music docuseries Ace of Base: All That She Wants, Russell Tovey’s critically acclaimed isolationist thriller The Fortress, The New York Times ‘Best International Show’ selection All and Eva, BBC hit Nordic Noir End of Summer, Netflix Europe hit and big-budget fantasy series Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter, award-winning LGBTQ+ feature film Listen Up!, riveting true crime docuseries Under the Radar, and intimate sports docuseries Max Verstappen: Anatomy of a Champion on the four-time F1 racing champion.

Though Scandinavia is known for Nordic Noir, the Nordics continue to produce a diverse mix of premium television series with first-rate production values, relatable characters, incredible scenery, stellar acting, and edge-of-your-seat storylines, including Viaplay’s recent International Emmy® win for the LGBTQ+ young adult series One of the Boys. Viaplay is a hidden treasure among streaming services and one of the best values at just $5.99 per month. Please check out Viaplay’s ‘Best of 2024’ below.  Screeners are readily available upon request. Sign up as PRESS or login at https://viaplaycontentdistribution.com/login

Viaplay U.S. ‘Best of 2024’ - Binge Now

Best British Crime Drama

Rebus

*Aired on the BBC to rave reviews and more than 10 million streams

“I’m loving and I highly recommend a weekend binge of Rebus…recalls shows like Happy Valley and Prime Suspect…I loved Richard Rankin in the title role…definitely worth a test-drive of Viaplay” –Vogue

From the surprising and intense opening scene, Rebus proves itself as a first-rate British crime drama with an excellent lead performance by Outlander’s Richard Rankin as the iconic, conflicted detective Rebus created by Sir Ian Rankin. Int’l BBC Trailer (English language)

Best Music Documentary

Ace of Base: All That She Wants

NBC News Segment

As part of this year’s 30^th anniversary celebrating the international success of their iconic debut album, Swedish pop band Ace of Base share the revealing story of the highs and lows of their meteoric career with never-seen, home movie footage and intimate diaries. Ace of Base is one of the most successful bands of the 1990s with #1 pop/dance hits "All That She Wants", “The Sign”, and “Don’t Turn Around”. Trailer (3 Episodes, English language)

Best Thriller

The Fortress

The New York Times feature

“Smartly written… thrillingly fast-paced” -TIME

“Supremely satisfying… one of the most thought-provoking series of the summer” -Houston Chronicle

Featuring an all-star global cast led by Russell Tovey (Feud, American Horror Story), Tobias Santelmann (Netflix’s Harry Hole, Exit), and Eili Harboe (Succession’s final season, The Architect) and winner of Best Screenplay at Series Mania, the timely Norwegian isolationist drama series THE FORTRESS is set in an eerily familiar 2037, where Norway has chosen to sever all ties with the rest of the world. Trailer

Best Comedy

All and Eva

The New York Times “Best International Shows” selection

‘Best Comedy’, ‘Best Actress’, and ‘Best Supporting Role’ Kristallen nominations (Swedish Emmy equivalent)

Following its rave reviews and a record-breaking Swedish debut, the hilariously fresh take on the comedy-drama genre stars award-winning actress Tuva Novotny (#1 Netflix movie The Abyss, Annihilation). The charming, Fleabag-inspired ensemble series follows the ups and downs of Eva and her friends’ lives after she tracks down her sperm donor and finds love in an extremely unexpected place. Trailer

Best Nordic Noir

End of Summer

“If there's one country that consistently puts out top-quality TV shows and movies more people should discover, it's Sweden. The country is especially good at producing thriller series, and a new title that is coming to Viaplay to underscore this is End of Summer.” - Collider

“Your next streaming obsession” -What to Watch

Aired on the BBC and from the director of the iconic series The Bridge, this absorbing Nordic noir is based on the award-winning crime novel by a former police officer and follows the haunting secrets behind a long-lost disappearance. Trailer

Best Fantasy Adventure Series

Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter

Netflix Europe ‘Top 10’ Series in 15 Countries, #1 in Sweden

“Amazingly lush-looking” -TV Guide Magazine

Considered one of the most ambitious and expensive Nordic series ever, this enchanting fantasy adventure series is the first live-action TV adaptation of the classic novel from beloved, bestselling Swedish author Astrid Lindgren (“Pippi Longstocking”) and is written by Hans Rosenfeldt, creator of iconic Scandinavian drama, The Bridge. (English dubs available) Trailer

Best Feature Film

Listen Up!

A festival favorite with wins for “Audience Award” and “Best Youth Film,” the coming-of-age LGBTQ+ comedy feature film stars comedian Asim Chaudhry and tackles important themes, including family, culture, gender identity and belonging, in a unique and hugely entertaining way. Trailer

Best True Crime

Under the Radar – Secrets of a Swedish Serial Killer

TV Insider Feature - ‘Under the Radar’: Can Cryptic Song Solve Florida Double Murder?

When a cryptic song from a notorious Swedish serial killer reveals murder confessions in the US, a documentary director goes on a quest for justice in America. This riveting true crime docuseries reveals the chilling links between the killer and several unsolved Florida murders, including a suspect sketch that closely resembles him. (English and Swedish) Trailer

Sports Documentary

Max Verstappen – Anatomy of a Champion

Max recently achieved an incredible fourth straight Formula 1 racing title. With unprecedented access, this behind-the-scenes portrait examines the relationships that shaped Max into the record-setting driver he is today. (English, Dutch) Trailer

Special Mention from 2023:

One of the Boys

2024 International Emmy® Winner for Best Kids: Live Action

Beautifully shot in the Scandinavian countryside, the LGBTQ+ coming of age drama explores themes of masculinity, queerness, and sexuality with poetic sensitivity. Socially awkward Lau goes on the traditional “Man Camp” in the hopes of fitting into the hypermasculine culture of his small Danish town but finds himself developing feelings for a charming newcomer on the trip. (Four 17-minute episodes) Trailer

Honorable mentions:

Taelgia – A ‘Male Actor in a Leading Role’ nominee at the Swedish ‘Emmy’ Equivalent (Kristallen Awards) and ‘Best European TV Fiction Series’ nominee at the top European broadcasting festival, this intense Swedish crime drama explores families, police and criminals caught in a crossfire of loyalties, demands and guilt. “Tremendously impactful…stellar performances, excellent pacing and slick writing, this is a must-watch” -Nordic Watchlist. Trailer

Secrets - Award-winning director Kaspar Munk’s captivating drama series on complex family relationships, abuse and co-dependency starring a top-shelf international cast led by Pilou Asbæk (Game of Thrones, Uncharted), five-time Danish Film Awards nominee for ‘Best Actress’ Iben Hjejle (Honour, High Fidelity), and Evin Ahmad (Who Is Erin Carter?). Trailer

Veronika – A unique, first-rate Nordic Noir with a supernatural twist featuring Nordic superstars Alexandra Rapaport and Tobias Santelmann. The clever, slow burning and intricately woven plot will keep viewers riveted until the very end. Trailer

About Viaplay:

The Viaplay streaming service features thousands of hours of premium Nordic and European series and films from Scandinavia's largest and most recognized television/streaming platform. Viaplay’s US content offering focuses on the Nordic region’s high-quality and psychologically penetrating titles: from atmospheric and suspenseful crime dramas and provocative and stylish young adult series to award-winning dramas and riveting documentaries. On par with the best on television, Viaplay series feature first-rate production values, incredible scenery, award-worthy acting, and edge-of-your-seat storylines. Viaplay is available as an add-on subscription on Prime Video Channels, The Roku Channel, Comcast Xfinity, and more for only $5.99 a month. All titles are available in their original language with English subtitles.

COMING UP IN 2025:

• The Bunker (Thurs., Jan 16) – A shocking true crime docuseries following a woman revisiting her past trauma of being abducted and held in a bunker (Watch Trailer)
• Bullshit (Thurs., Jan 30) – A powerful, multi-award-winning biker gang miniseries inspired by true events (Watch Trailer)