With Legenden (The Asset in English) taking top spot amongst Netflix viewers around the world in week 44, Danish TV is making waves on global screens. But people have been saying “Danish TV is sooo hot right now” for years and Legenden is far from the first success story from Denmark. And there’s sure to be more high caliber programming on the way with a Danish tax incentive to attract international TV and film productions launching in 2026.
To help you discover great Danish TV, we’ve pulled together a list of 15 watch-worthy Danish series. These are sure to entertain you through the dark days of winter — and potentially grow your Danish language skills at the same time!
While there are always classic series to fall back on (like the 24 episodes of Matador from 1979-1982), we’ve focused on newer, potentially lesser known programs. This means we’re skipping past Nordic noir pioneer Forbrydelsen (The Killing, which had 40 episodes over 3 seasons from 2007-2012 and spawned a Seattle-based American version) and Danish-Swedish joint venture Broen (The Bridge, which ran for 38 episodes over 4 seasons from 2011-2018 and inspired an incredible 6 international versions). We’re also assuming most people have heard of Borgen (the globally successful political drama that ran from 2010-2013 on DR, plus an 8-episode collab with Netflix in 2022), although with a parliamentary election coming in 2026 it might be time for a re-watch.
Some of our picks are popular internationally and others barely made a ripple outside of Denmark. Some are binge-in-a-day affairs, while others require several sessions on the sofa. Some are the gritty suspense-filled rides typical of Scandi productions, with others lean to the lighter side. And all would make for good entertainment during the Twixtmas stretch between Christmas and New Year’s when no one really knows what day it is anyway.
1. The Character-driven Crime Series: Legenden
6 episodes on Netflix; 1 season (renewed for a second); 2025-
A fast-moving morally complicated tale of espionage, with young police officer Tea (Clara Dessau) infiltrating an international crime ring in Copenhagen. It’s been praised for the combination of action and character development.
2. The Creepy Rich People Thriller: Reservatet
6 episodes on Netflix; season 2 coming May 2026; 2025-
One of Netflix’s most-streamed shows in the first half of 2025, Reservetet (The Secrets We Keep) centers on the disappearance of a Filipino au pair in a wealthy suburb north of Copenhagen (known locally in real life as ‘The Reserve’). The ominous soundtrack may haunt your dreams.
3. The Humorous Look at Parenthood: De bedste år
8 episodes on TV 2; season 2 coming in 2026; 2024-
A charming, compassionate, and gently funny approach to the everyday challenges of parenting young children while staying afloat yourself. Sleep deprivation made funny — and possibly all too relatable.
4. The Horror-laced Detective Show: Kastanjemanden
6 episodes on Netflix; season 2 coming in 2026; 2021-
A slow burn with deeply disturbed cops (Danica Curcic as a Copenhagen detective and Mikkel Boe Følsgaard as her reluctant partner from Europol) trying to solve a gruesome murder. Best for those who like their police dramas on the grisly side.
5. The (Hopefully not Prophetic) Climate-change Drama: Familier som vores
7 episodes on TV 2 Play; 1 season; 2024
Due to rising sea levels, six million Danes become refugees. Within that premise, characters navigate the nationwide evacuation — and their own internal conflicts. The cast – all well known in Denmark – has received accolades for keeping Familier som vores (Families like Ours) from veering into melodrama.
Image credit: TVPRISEN
6. The Glimpse at Christiania’s Underbelly: Bullshit
6 episodes on Viaplay and Prime Video; 1 season; 2024
Motorcycle gangs, rock music, riotous parties, and documentary-style camera work make for a captivating (and at times brutal) mini-series about Copenhagen in the 1970s. And somehow there’s a love story at the heart of it.
7. The Comedic Take on Classical Music: Orkestret
20 episodes on DR TV; 2 seasons; 2022-2024
With sharp satire typical of creator Adam Price (also behind Borgen), big personalities and bigger egos clash at Copenhagen Symphony Orchestra. There’s humor to be had with competing clarinettists played by Frederik Cilius and Bo Rasmus Bruun — and some space to poke fun at sexism, too.
8. The Cozy Coastal Dramedy: Badehotellet
64 episodes on TV 2 Play; 10 seasons; 2013-2023.
Set at a seaside resort from the late 1920s into the 1940s, Badehotellet (Seaside Hotel) follows interwoven stories of the guests. A feel-good ray of sunlight and the most popular Danish series for several years running for good reason.
9. The Based on a True Story Torment: Sygeplejersken
4 episodes on Netflix; 1 season; 2023
Terrifying in a totally different way from typical Nordic Noir, Sygeplejersken (The Nurse) follows the real-life events of a newly qualified nurse who suspects a colleague of attempting to kill patients. A peek into the nursing profession in Denmark and the potentially harrowing dilemmas that face medical professionals.
10. The Post-apocalyptic Thriller: The Rain
20 episodes on Netflix; 3 seasons; 2018-2020
Atmospherically shot, this dystopian show sees a deadly virus spread by rainfall bring the characters (mostly adolescents) together and pull them apart in a fictionalized Scandinavia. An entertaining, if uneven, survivalist story.
11. The Everywoman Comedy-drama: Rita
40 episodes on TV 2 and Netflix; 5 seasons; 2012-2020
With a glimpse into the Danish educational system and strong female roles (most notably the titular character as an unconventional teacher), Rita is all rebellious energy and big heart. Hang on for the ride (and the laughs) as Rita makes questionable decision after questionable decision in small-town Denmark.
12. The Not-too-heavy, Not Quite Nordic Noir: Dicte
30 episodes on TV 2 Play; 3 seasons; 2013-2016
While some actors were criticized for accents that veered far from the Aarhus setting, this combination of Dicte solving mysteries, clashing with local police, and trying to untangle her messy personal life is a relatively light watch. Almost more soap opera than krimi — and easy to keep coming back to.
13. The Big-budget Historical Epic: 1864
8 episodes originally shown on DR 1, available through Blockbuster; 1 season; 2014
Covering the Second Schleswig War between Denmark and the combined forces of Prussia and Austria, this was the most expensive Danish-produced series at the time — and the stagecraft shows. Impressive production values and a lot of storylines to follow.
14. The Dramatization of DR TV’s History: Krøniken
22 episodes on DR TV: 4 seasons 2004-2007
History, romance, and family dynamics take the front row in this period piece about DR’s TV network that follows two families from 1949 to the 1970s. Some reviewers called Krøniken the dramatic successor to Matador and the quality holds up.
15. The Durable Police Procedural: Rejseholdet
32 episodes on DR TV; 4 seasons; 2000-2004
Co-starring the big name in Danish cinema (yes, we mean Mads Mikkelsen) and known as Unit One internationally, this detective drama follows a specialized police unit investigating crimes across Denmark. It shows its age, but the twists and turns (and blue ribbon cast) make it worthwhile.
A Tangle of Talent
Image credit: DR TV
As you’re enjoying Danish series, there’s a bonus fascination of spotting actors in different roles. With a smaller population to draw from, the talent tends to be recycled and casting recombinations abound.
For instance, Mille Dinesen plays the lead in Rita and shows up in 6 episodes of Borgen. Borgen featured Søren Malling as a news producer and he pops up in Forbrydelsen, 1864, and Dicte. Dar Salim was also in Dicte and played the Green Party chairman in Borgen. It’s a Venn diagram waiting to happen!
