Jo Nesbo is such a good storyteller, so this crime series was on the viewing list. Although, I wondered if I could take another brilliant, tortured detective, rife with his own demons. But it is Nordic noir, so that makes it essential to watch. It is atmospheric, suspenseful and a little gruesome, so keep track of the plot in case you have to shut your eyes. Detective Harry Hole is hunting a serial killer in Oslo whilst battling a corrupt rival. He’s lost a colleague and knows the murderer’s identity but has to prove it. It takes a while to get going, but is worth it, being a faithful adaptation of Nesbo’s The Devil’s Star.

Go back to the beginning, before you watch the film that has been released. There are six seasons to get you up to date. This viewer is coming late to Peaky Blinders due to the perception that the trailers appeared rather harrowing and depressing, and violence seemed to be the rule. It seemed to be always raining and the characters were always wading through mud. The talented cast, with Cillian Murphy in the lead, was always a huge drawcard. The very best of British. The story tells of Thomas Shelby and his brothers who return to Birmingham after serving in the British Army during WWI. Shelby and the Peaky Blinders, the gang he is leader of, control the city of Birmingham, but as Shelby’s ambitions extend beyond Birmingham, he plans to build on the business empire he’s created, and stop anyone who gets in his way. Excellent viewing, if you can get past the violence.

There are two seasons of this violent French action-thriller, which follows Lyna, a young woman seeking revenge who gets entangled with the enigmatic and brutal Furie, a dangerous liaison, which leads to some intense fight scenes. It’s action-packed and I became quite exhausted as everyone seems to run and jump everywhere. There’s a lot of running. Paris has a dark underworld that I certainly haven’t noticed on my visits. There is a lot going on here and that does sometimes feel it’s at the expense of the plot.

This dystopian tale is adapted from the novel which came from the incredible mind of Philip K. Dick. Set in a mundane world where the Axis powers won WWII, the series depicts a divided America under Nazi and Japanese rule. It is slow paced at times and keeping track of how the various characters are connected does take concentration. It’s bleak, dark and dreary, but is saved by the wonderful Rufus Sewel with the convoluted title of Obergruppenführer. Try saying that very fast. There is also a menacing portrayal by Burn Gorman as The Marshall. There are four seasons, which could be a bit harrowing for a binge watch.

This one is quite interesting until it nears the end and then events become a little illogical and hard to fathom, but this may not be the case for all viewers. Some of you may get what’s going on immediately. The story follows a migrant steamship heading west to leave the old continent behind. The passengers are of various European origins, united by their hopes and dreams for the new century and their future abroad. But their journey takes an unexpected turn when they discover another migrant ship adrift on the open sea. What they will find on board will turn their passage to the promised land into a horrifying nightmare. The special effects are excellent in this one. One never knows if you’re on a ship, or not. It’s been described as “a multilingual German epic period mystery science-fiction drama” so that gives you some idea, perhaps. There’s an excellent ensemble cast attached. From the creators of The Dark.

This historical drama, which veers off into horror, crime and cocaine usage is unusual in that it is not a biography as such. It’s more like fantasy. Set in 1886 Vienna, young Sigmund Freud is still far from being a globally-revered national figure. His peculiar concept of the unconscious and his use of hypnosis draw ridicule and see him marginalized by the medical establishment. His professional reputation is at stake. But he goes off on a tangent when he teams up with a police inspector and a medium to solve murders, heavily involving hypnosis and dark supernatural elements. It’s very Gothic, and even though lacking in fact, it is entertaining.

This comedy drama from Denmark is great viewing with the story revolving around unconventional schoolteacher Rita, a very outspoken, rebellious woman who is competent in the classroom but needs her own advisor when it comes to her personal life. When her son arranges a dinner with his soon-to-be in-laws, Rita is confronted with an old flame she had long forgotten, much to everyone’s embarrassment. Plus, Rita’s actions are not always acceptable to the parents of the children she teaches, which sees her dealing with a variety of conflicting situations, especially when she espouses that her job is to protect the children from their parents.

=== RESIDENT ALIEN ===

Based on the Dark Horse comic, an alien, who has crash-landed on earth on a mission to destroy humanity, assumes the identity of Dr. Harry Vanderspeigel so he can remain undetected by the residents of Patience, Colorado. He learns “to be human” by watching Law and Order and mimicking the late, great Jerry Orbach. The sheriff of Patience, Mike “Big Black” Thompson, shows up at his isolated cabin. There has been a murder in town and they need a doctor. The murder victim is the town doctor. Tudyk mixes physical comedy with his emotions, and his facial expressions which are hilarious. If quirky sci-fi is your thing, this is it.

=== RADIOACTIVE EMERGENCY – BRAZIL ===

Based on the 1987 Goiânia radiation accident, this series follows two foragers who, in September 1987, break open a discarded radiotherapy device from an abandoned clinic, discovering a glowing blue powder (Caesium-137). Thinking it is valuable, they sell it, leading to widespread contamination throughout the neighbourhood as locals touch, share, and play with the material, unaware of its lethal nature. The story focuses on physicist Márcio and his colleagues as they navigate a strained, under-equipped response. This is a realistic depiction of a disaster unfolding, all of which I was unaware of. Reports outside of Brazil must have been scarce. This is excellent viewing.

=== HOMICIDE: NEW YORK – DOCUMENTARY ===

After viewing this documentary series, I reflected on the times that I visited NYC and sat in Central Park at sundown, in winter it would be just me and the snow. I never felt in any danger, but it’s happening out there, according to this true-crime docu-series from Dick Wolf (creator of Law & Order), which offers a gritty, look at some of NYC’s most infamous cases. It features in-depth interviews with retired NYPD detectives and prosecutors, focusing heavily on investigation techniques. Harrowing, confronting viewing.