The Killing

8.0
20071h

The Killing is a Danish police procedural set in the Copenhagen main police department and revolves around Detective Inspector Sarah Lund and her team, with each season series following a different murder case day-by-day and a one-hour episode covering twenty-four hours of the investigation. The series is noted for its plot twists, season-long storylines, dark tone and for giving equal emphasis to the story of the murdered victim's family alongside the police investigation. It has also been singled out for the photography of its Danish setting, and for the acting ability of its cast.

Production

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Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: The Killing Forbrydelsen - Season 1 Trailer

The Killing Forbrydelsen - Season 1 Trailer

Seasons

20 Episodes • Premiered 2007

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lund is looking forward to her last day with the Copenhagen police force, planning to move to Sweden with her fiancé and transfer to the Swedish police. However, everything changes when a 19-year old woman, Nanna Birk Larsen, disappears only to be found raped and brutally murdered. Along with her colleague, Detective Inspector Jan Meyer, Sarah is forced to head the investigation as it soon becomes clear that she and Meyer are chasing a very intelligent and dangerous murderer. Meanwhile, local politician Troels Hartmann is in the middle of a hard-fought mayoral campaign when evidence links him to the murder, adding a political thread and further intrigue to the storyline. At the same time, the girl's family and friends struggle to cope with their loss. Over a span of 20 days, suspect upon suspect is sought out as violence and political pressures cast their shadows over the hunt for the killer.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 1: Episode 1

1. Episode 1

7.9

Monday, November 3. Police detective Sarah Lund is about to leave her job in Copenhagen to move to Sweden. Troels Hartmann is gaining ground in his efforts to lead his party to power at city hall. Theis and Pernille Birk Larsen are the happy parents of three children. The discovery of the blood-stained belongings of a young girl prompts a police investigation that will change the lives of all involved.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 2: Episode 2

2. Episode 2

7.3

Monday, November 3-Tuesday, November 4. Nanna's parents identify her body, and details of her sufferings are uncovered. Lund keeps postponing her departure, and tension arises between her and her new partner as they investigate the connection to city hall and a known criminal identified as the driver of the car Nanna was found in. Hartmann is faced with the choice of cooperating with the police or protecting his political future.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 3: Episode 3

3. Episode 3

8.0

Tuesday, November 4-Wednesday, November 5: Lund and Meyer track down the driver, who ends up injured in the hospital, but also supplies an alibi. They refocus their investigation on Nanna's school. When the story of the connection to his campaign breaks, Hartmann finds himself in media turmoil. The Birk Larsens try to cope with their loss as they arrange the funeral.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 4: Episode 4

4. Episode 4

8.0

Wednesday, November 5-Thursday, November 6: The police investigate the crime scene they have found at Nanna's school and suspect her classmates Oliver and Jeppe of wrongdoing. Sarah Lund's fiancé shows up in Copenhagen, and she promises to leave for Sweden without delay. Meanwhile, Hartmann learns that a trusted employee has sent a suspicious email.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 5: Episode 5

5. Episode 5

6.5

Thursday, November 6-Friday, November 7. Hartmann has won a new political ally, but is drawn into the murder case again when the police uncover new information which turns their suspicions towards teachers at Nanna's school. Theis Birk Larsen is troubled by the financial strain of the house he bought before Nanna's death. He begins to grow weary over the lack of progress in the case and seeks his own sources of information.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 6: Episode 6

6. Episode 6

8.0

Friday, November 7-Saturday, November 8: Lund and Meyer investigate teacher Raman al Kemal's actions on the night of the murder. Hartmann learns of foul play at city hall, and his campaign is put under pressure when his opponent reveals Hartmann's ties with the suspect in a TV debate. On the day of Nanna's funeral, Lund is finally on her way to Sweden, and the appearance of one particular guest makes Nanna's father offer him a ride home.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 7: Episode 7

7. Episode 7

8.0

Saturday, November 8-Sunday, November 9. Lund decides to stay in town to continue the investigation even though it puts her relationship with Bengt under strain. Rama is questioned as the main suspect. When Hartmann chooses not to suspend him, it puts his political position under threat.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 8: Episode 8

8. Episode 8

8.0

Sunday, November 9-Monday, November 10. The police locate the place where Nanna was killed, and Rama is charged with the crime. Hartmann is fighting for his political life, but ends up making a tough choice. Meanwhile, Bengt is in a car accident on his way to Sweden, but tries to help Lund from his hospital bed. When the evidence is cast into doubt, Rama is released, but someone has other ideas.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 9: Episode 9

9. Episode 9

8.0

Monday, November 10-Tuesday, November 11. Theis Birk Larsen's brutal punishment of Rama is interrupted by the police, and Theis is arrested. Lund and Meyer refocus their investigation on the car used by the murderer, knowing that if they do not make progress they might be taken off the case. As it becomes known that Rama is no longer a suspect, Hartmann shakes things up at city hall and relaunches his campaign.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 10: Episode 10

10. Episode 10

8.0

Tuesday, November 11-Wednesday, November 12. Bengt leaves for Stockholm. Lund and Meyer are hindered in their investigation by a secretive boss, but Lund continues inquiries and is dismissed for her sins. Hartmann strikes a deal with higher powers in order to secure his bid for mayor, and a public debate is the scene of a change in political fortunes. Theis is released from prison, new secrets are uncovered about Nanna's last months, and in a last bid to forward the investigation, Lund unlocks the door to a new piece in the puzzle.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 11: Episode 11

11. Episode 11

8.0

Sarah and Jan know who they are looking for but are puzzled by their superiors' reactions.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 12: Episode 12

12. Episode 12

8.0

Sarah and Jan interrogate Troels, whose private information opens a new can of worms.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 13: Episode 13

13. Episode 13

8.0

The spotlight of the police and media is now trained on Troels Hartmann, and he feels his political career is crumbling. Meanwhile strange things are going on at the town hall with fatal consequences.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 14: Episode 14

14. Episode 14

8.0

Troels's political opponent Bremer wastes no time in taking advantage of his discomfort.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 15: Episode 15

15. Episode 15

8.0

Sarah has walked into a life-threatening situation.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 16: Episode 16

16. Episode 16

8.0

Sarah won't get on board when her superiors insist that Nanna's murder has been solved.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 17: Episode 17

17. Episode 17

8.0

Lund and Meyer become convinced there is a link between Nanna's murder and a case that has remained unsolved for 15 years, and frantically try to find evidence. Meanwhile, Pernille and Theis are confused by the fact the case is far from closed, and Hartmann puts everything on the line in a bid to win the election.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 18: Episode 18

18. Episode 18

8.0

Lund and Meyer get more than they bargained for when they visit an abandoned warehouse in their search for evidence. Meanwhile, a prime suspect disappears, and Hartmann struggles to get back into the political arena - but is contacted by a journalist whose efforts to dig up dirt have had some success. Theis and Pernille try to move on from the past 18 days' events and take their sons to see the new house.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 19: Episode 19

19. Episode 19

8.0

Lund finds the odds stacked against her as the search for a missing suspect takes an unexpected turn, and Hartmann and Bremer take part in a dramatic, live TV debate amid a stream of revelations. Meanwhile, it seems something is amiss as Theis and Pernille prepare to move into their new house.

Still image for The Killing season 1 episode 20: Episode 20

20. Episode 20

8.0

Lund is determined to catch Nanna's killer despite being taken off the case, and Hartmann is on a downward spiral - until he receives crucial information. Meanwhile, Pernille and Theis invite friends and family to Anton's birthday party - but there is a sinister twist to the evening in store.

Cast

Photo of Sofie Gråbøl

Sofie Gråbøl

Sarah Lund

Photo of Morten Suurballe

Morten Suurballe

Lennart Brix

Photo of Nikolaj Lie Kaas

Nikolaj Lie Kaas

Mathias Borch

Photo of Sigurd Holmen le Dous

Sigurd Holmen le Dous

Asbjørn Juncker

Photo of Anders W. Berthelsen

Anders W. Berthelsen

Robert Zeuthen

Photo of Olaf Johannessen

Olaf Johannessen

Kristian Kamper

Photo of Jonatan Spang

Jonatan Spang

Kristoffer Kamper

Photo of Trine Pallesen

Trine Pallesen

Karen Nebel

Photo of Tammi Øst

Tammi Øst

Birgit Eggert

Photo of Peter Mygind

Peter Mygind

Tage Steiner

Photo of Helle Fagralid

Helle Fagralid

Maja Zeuthen

Photo of Stig Hoffmeyer

Stig Hoffmeyer

Niels Reinhardt

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