Netflix has some excellent Scandinavian shows that are worth binge-watching. We absolutely love Icelandic TV shows and dramas (and also the scenery which sometimes does steal the limelight). If you’re planning to visit Iceland, these shows will provide inspiration for some of the must-visit places!
In this article, you will find the best Icelandic TV series and movies available on Netflix including information about where in Iceland they were made.
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Best Icelandic TV series on Netflix
Katla
Year of release – 2021
Number of seasons – 1
Number of episodes –
Genre – Mystery thriller, Supernatural
Synopsis – An underground volcano that has been erupting for over a year starts to affect a local community in ways they could not predict when naked people start to emerge covered in ash. This is all the more horrifying when people who have been missing or died start to appear.
The series explores the impacts of loss and grieving.
Starring? Guðrún Ýr Eyfjörð, Íris Tanja Flygenring, Ingvar Sigurðsson, and Sólveig Arnarsdóttir.
Where was it filmed in Iceland? It was filmed in Vík in Iceland
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Trapped (Ófærð)
Year of release – 2015
Number of seasons – 2
Number of episodes – 20
Genre – A crime drama series.
Synopsis – In season one the body of a murder victim appears just as a major snowstorm is about the hit. Police officers Högni (Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson) and Árni (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson), Polar Patrol, uncover how the body ended up there as a storm rages around them.
In season two the crime thriller follows an investigation into a young girl’s disappearance and how it connects to a series of murders around the town.
Starring? – Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Ingvar E. Sigurðsson
Where was it filmed in Iceland? Season one was filmed predominantly on location around Egilsstaðir and Höfn – including the Mývatn area. Season two was filmed in Reyðarfjörður.
Entrapped (Ófærð – Eftir Ást)
Year of release – 2017
Number of seasons – 1
Number of episodes – 6
Genre – A crime drama series.
Synopsis – The series follows a serial killer, who leaves victims in an unusual manner: he locks them into specially adapted rooms filled with water, and they need to find ways to escape before they drown.
Starring? – Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson
Where was it filmed in Iceland? Filmed on location around Reyðarfjörður and Akureyri.
The Valhalla Murders (Brot)
Year of release – 2016
Number of seasons – 1
Number of episodes – 6
Genre – A crime thriller.
Synopsis – A detective embarks upon a blood-soaked mission to solve the disappearance of his wife and son in this dark Icelandic mystery series, following six all-new mysteries set during the final days leading up to Yule, the day when spirits roam the world of the living.
Starring? – Georgina Haig, Elliot Cowan and Hugo Petterson
Where was it filmed in Iceland? – The first two episodes were set and filmed on location at various areas around Iceland while the remaining four are shot in stages at Pinewood Studios in Reyðarfjörður.
Case
Year of release – 2015
Number of seasons – 1
Number of episodes – 9
Genre – An award-winning Icelandic crime drama that is best described as a Nordic Noir.
Synopsis – The series is about a chief detective investigating the murder of a young woman. As he delves into the case, his own life begins to unravel.
Starring? – Þorsteinn Bachmann and Helgi Björnsson
Where was it filmed in Iceland? – The series was mainly shot in southeast Iceland, including Hveragerði, Selfoss and around Reykjanes peninsula. Some scenes were also shot in Reykjavik.
Click to watch Case on Netflix
Out of thin air
Year of release – 2017
Number of seasons – 1
Number of episodes – 8
Genre – A true crime mini-series.
Synopsis – This documentary series explores the unsolved murder of two drug dealers, in Iceland’s most notorious prison, Litla Hraun. The story is told, for the first time by inmates and prison guards and is still one of Iceland’s most controversial cases.
Where was it filmed in Iceland? – The shooting locations are mainly near Hólmur and Reyðarfjörður, West Iceland.
And Breathe Normally
Year of release – 2018
Genre – Drama
Synopsis – An Icelandic couple have to decide how far they will go when faced with an impossible dilemma: to save the lives of their young children, should they use every means at their disposal? Or are there moral limits that even parents shouldn’t cross? This searingly honest portrayal was written and directed by Ísold Uggadóttir whose own experiences as a parent inspired this deeply personal story.
Starring – Kristín Thóra Haraldsdóttir (Breathe), Björn Hur Haraldsson (Breathe), Sóley Huld Sigurðardóttir, Steinn Ármann Magnússon, Hlynur Pálmason
Where was it filmed in Iceland? – It was shot on location around Reykjavik.
Heartstone
Year of release – 2016
Genre – Drama
Synopsis – In a remote Icelandic farming valley, two orphaned boys vie for the affection of their beautiful foster mother while struggling to come to terms with their own parents’ abandonment and betrayal.
Starring – Steinþór Hróar Steinþórsson (Heartstone), Jóhannes Haukur Jónsson (Reykjavik-Rotterdam), Sævar Ásgeirsson (Brennuflöt).
Where was it filmed in Iceland? – The movie was filmed on location in Skagafjörður
Click to watch on Amazon Prime
DO YOU WANT TO WATCH THE GREAT SHOWS LISTED IN THIS GUIDE?
WITH SURFSHARK VPN YOU CAN!
✅ With Surfshark VPN you get unrestricted access to the Netflix libraries of 15 countries.
✅ Access to the US, UK and German Netflix libraries (plus a further 12 countries)
✅ Access 13 Amazon Prime libraries including the USA and UK
✅ 1 subscription covers every gadget in your house
More to watch from around the world
As well as these great Icelandic TV shows on Netflix why not take a look at these posts which all feature more to watch from around the world: