Netflix Produces New Norwegian Crime Series The Black Forest with 9 Episodes

The streaming platform Netflix has officially confirmed work on a new, full-length crime series produced in Norway. The production, currently known under the working, English-language title The Black Forest, is set to consist of nine episodes. According to industry reports, the thriller's action will be set in the characteristic, harsh landscape of Norway, promising viewers tension, mystery, and a complex narrative. The premiere is planned for 2026.

Scandinavian crime dramas, often referred to as 'nordic noir', gained international fame at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries thanks to series such as the Danish 'The Killing' (Forbrydelsen) or the Swedish-Danish 'The Bridge' (Bron/Broen). This genre is characterized by a slow narrative pace, psychological depth of characters, a dark atmosphere, and often tackles difficult social issues, which distinguishes it from more commercial American productions and constitutes its unique hallmark. The investment in 'The Black Forest' is a deliberate move by Netflix, fitting into its global content strategy. The company has for years invested significant funds in local productions in key European markets, believing that authentic stories from specific regions have universal appeal and can attract subscribers worldwide. The Norwegian project is part of this broader production machinery. This decision also has a business dimension in the face of intensifying competition in the video-on-demand (VOD) streaming sector. Competition with giants such as Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and domestic platforms in many countries forces Netflix to continuously deliver new, high-quality titles that will retain current and attract new users. Local productions have become a key weapon in this battle for viewer attention.

„Netflix bierze się za norweskie kryminały. Nie oderwiesz się od ekranu.” (Netflix is taking on Norwegian crime series. You won't be able to tear yourself away from the screen.) — Editorial team of the Antyweb portal The tone of the initial announcements in Polish industry media is enthusiastic and full of anticipation. Portals describe the project as a production from which 'you won't be able to tear yourself away from the screen', and its teaser is said to 'take your breath away'. Such formulations, although characteristic of marketing hooks and editorial exaggeration, clearly indicate high internal expectations from Netflix itself and an attempt to generate early buzz around the title even before revealing plot details or cast. Although the specific names of creators, actors, or a precise plot outline have not yet been revealed in the analyzed press materials, the announcement of the Norwegian crime series itself was received as a significant event in the series premiere calendar. The success of similar productions in the past, both Scandinavian and other local Netflix hits (e.g., the Spanish 'Money Heist' or the Polish '1670'), creates pressure, but also great potential for 'The Black Forest'.

It is worth noting that information about the series appeared almost simultaneously in several Polish portals dedicated to entertainment and technology, suggesting a coordinated information campaign or a press embargo lifted by Netflix. An article on the swiatseriali.interia.pl website, published on February 26, was the first to report on a 'teaser that takes your breath away'. The next day, February 27, similar reports, albeit with different emphases, appeared on telepolis.pl (highlighting the limit of nine episodes as an asset) and Antyweb (focusing on the genre itself). This sequence of publications shows a typical industry pattern for information distribution: from the release of the first video material to broader commentary and analysis. The lack of conflicting facts in these reports indicates a consistent message from the distributor. Ultimately, the success of 'The Black Forest' will depend on the quality of execution, but the choice of a Norwegian crime series as a format already seems strategically sound, based on the established position of the genre in the consciousness of viewers worldwide.