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Created by Marta Szymanek, The Thaw is a Polish crime drama. The show is set in Szczecin, and revolves around a widowed Chief Inspector, Katarzyna Zawieja played by (Katarzyna Wajda), who is investigating the murder of a pregnant woman and the disappearance of her newborn.
While she investigates the murder, she is also battling personal problems, like coming to terms with her husband’s death, who died under mysterious circumstances. The Thaw has all the trappings of northern European crime dramas like bleakness, a color palette of blues and grays, and characters who are morose.
For those viewers who enjoy such grim and gritty investigative thrillers, here’s a list of seven similarly-themed shows.
The Valhalla Murders, The Killing, and other shows to watch like The Thaw
1) Broadchurch
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Created by Chris Chibnall and starring David Tennant and Olivia Coleman, Broadchurch is an investigative thriller that focuses on two detectives—Alec Hardy (Tennant) and Ellie Miller (Coleman)—who investigate the death of an 11-year-old boy and the repercussions it has on a small town. A critically acclaimed show, it highlighted themes like grief, societal dynamics, and involvement of the media.
The show has three seasons and received much praise for its nuanced direction, the dynamic between the two detectives, and the realistic portrayal of small-town life. Broadchurch is similar to The Thaw as both shows revolve around murder, have a bleak atmosphere, and portray a female detective in the lead.
2) Top of the Lake
Created by Jane Campion and Gerard Lee, Top of the Lake is a mystery drama that revolves around detective Robin Griffin (Elisabeth Moss), who specializes in assault cases and investigates the disappearance of a young, pregnant girl in her hometown of rural New Zealand. The show also deals with Robin’s personal secrets.
The show is praised for its riveting performances, well-crafted quality, and themes of feminism. The show is similar to The Thaw as both of them have a female detective at the helm, dealing with their own personal battles and dealing with the murder and disappearance of a pregnant victim. The show also has a sequel.
3) Happy Valley
A British crime-drama created by Sally Wainwright, Happy Valley is set in Calder Valley, West Yorkshire, and is helmed by Sarah Lancashire. The show is about police sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah), who is troubled by her daughter’s suicide and r*pe.
As she tracks down the man who abused her daughter, she unexpectedly uncovers a kidnapping plan and a criminal organization. The show touches on themes like suicide, s**ual violence, and addiction and handles them with nuance. Just like The Thaw, the series Happy Valley has an unshakeable female lead, and both shows deal with gendered violence. The show has three seasons.
4) The Killing
Also known as Forbrydelsen, this Danish crime-drama began the craze for Scandinavian crime shows. Created by Søren Sveistrup and starring Sofie Gråbøl as detective Sarah Lund, the cult classic is set in Copenhagen. Each season has a new murder case, and each episode covers 24 hours of the investigation.
The show is known for its plot twists, brooding atmosphere, emphasis given to the victim’s family, and the effect of the crime in political circles. In the first season, there is a murder of a young woman, which is similar to the storyline of The Thaw. Both the shows have similar moody settings and tenacious female officers.
5) Those Who Kill
A Danish crime-thriller, Those Who Kill stars Natalie Madueño, who plays the role of criminal profiler Louise Bergstein. The show aired in 2019 and is a reboot of a police procedural show of the same name from 2011. When a police officer links the disappearances of teenage, blonde girls over a period of time, he hires Louise to build a profile of the serial killer.
The show has three seasons and revolves around Louise’s attempts at helping the Copenhagen police department solve various crimes. The show’s first season focuses on female murders like The Thaw, and both the female leads hold the key to solving the cases.
6) The Bridge
Created by Hans Rosenfeldt, The Bridge is a Nordic noir crime show and stars Sofia Helin and Kim Bodnia as two polar opposite detectives who have to become partners when two halves of two different women’s bodies are found between the areas of Sweden and Denmark.
The show has all the touches of a Nordic crime thriller, and while Sofia’s character is typically harsh and blunt, Kim’s character is more affable. The show focuses on the murders and the dynamic between the two detectives. And is a must-watch for those who love the cold and unflinching atmosphere of Scandinavian programs. Just like The Thaw, The Bridge is a gripping watch that revolves around murder.
7) The Valhalla Murders
An Icelandic police procedural, The Valhalla Murders, is based on true incidents and tells the story of a serial killer in Reykjavik who kills and slashes his victim’s eyes. An investigative duo of Kata and Arnar is sent from Oslo to solve this perplexing crime. The show also deals with both the detectives’ personal troubles in the background. Starring Nína Filippusdóttir and Björn Thors, the whodunit also has twists and turns.
The show has received praise for its acting, cinematography, dramatically beautiful and vast landscapes, and Scandinavian neo-noir atmosphere. The show is similar to The Thaw, as both shows deal with murder and have a female detective. Both shows also match in tone and represent a bleak atmosphere.
Viewers who love gritty and grim investigative fictions can go through this list and choose a show of their liking.
