Netflix is preparing a new nine-episode crime series with the working title "The Black Forest," set in Norway. The production, described as a thriller, aims to draw viewers in with an atmosphere of mystery and dark narrative. The premiere is planned for 2026. The project is part of Netflix's broader strategy of investing in local European productions with international potential, aimed at attracting new subscribers in the competitive streaming environment.
Netflix's Norwegian Thriller
Netflix is developing a new, nine-episode crime series set in Norway, known under the working title "The Black Forest." The thriller's action is to take place in a rugged, forested landscape, promising viewers a dark atmosphere and an engaging mystery plot.
Local Production Strategy
The investment in the Norwegian series is an element of Netflix's broader tactic, which involves creating high-budget, local content in various European regions that has the potential to gain popularity on the international stage and attract audiences.
Competition in the Streaming Market
The premiere of "The Black Forest" fits into the intense competition among major VOD platforms for viewers' attention. Netflix, losing some market share, is betting on original, strong genre productions to maintain and grow its subscriber base.
Genre Expectations
The service hopes that the new Norwegian crime series will repeat the success of other Scandinavian thrillers that gained global popularity, such as "The Bridge" or "The Killing." Expectations for the series are high, as confirmed by the enthusiastic tone of initial media announcements.
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, rugged 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 21st century 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, distinguishing it from more commercial American productions. 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.
„Netflix wyciąga asa z rękawa. Tylko 9 odcinków, ale za to jakich.” (Netflix is pulling an ace from its sleeve. Only 9 episodes, but what episodes they are.) — Unknown editor of the telepolis.pl portal The tone of 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 trailer is said to be 'breathtaking.' Such formulations, while characteristic of marketing hooks and editorial exaggeration, clearly indicate Netflix's own high internal expectations and an attempt to generate early buzz around the title. Although plot details, cast, or creators' names have not yet been revealed in the analyzed materials, the announcement of the Norwegian crime series alone was received as a significant event in the series premiere calendar. The success of similar past productions creates pressure, but also great potential for 'The Black Forest.'
9 — Number of episodes planned for the Norwegian thrillerIn the context of the Polish audience, the news of a new Scandinavian crime series is particularly interesting, as viewers in Poland have for years been loyal fans of the 'nordic noir' genre. The popularity of such titles on Polish television and streaming platforms suggests that 'The Black Forest' has a chance of a warm reception in Poland as well. Ultimately, the series' success will depend on execution, screenplay, and acting, but Netflix's decision to produce in Norway itself confirms the durability and commercial strength of the Scandinavian model of telling crime stories. The premiere in 2026 will be an important test both for the platform and for the vitality of the genre itself in the new decade.