Black Sands

A troubled police officer is forced back to her hometown. Confronting her abusive mother is inescapable but the discovery of a body changes everything. She's forced to search for a dangerous serial killer while stuck in a dark pit.

Black Sands (2021-2024) is an Icelandic crime drama series created by Ragnar Jónsson, Aldís Amah Hamilton, Andri Óttarsson and Baldvin Z, produced by Glassriver for Stöð 2 and rooted in the Nordic noir tradition. Aldís Amah Hamilton stars as Aníta Elínardóttir, a troubled police officer forced to return to her hometown, where she must confront her abusive mother, played by Steinunn Ólína Þorsteinsdóttir as Elín. Her return turns into a manhunt when a body is discovered and she is pulled into the search for a dangerous serial killer. The supporting cast includes Lára Jóhanna Jónsdóttir as Fríða Melsteð and Ævar Þór Benediktsson as Gústi. The engine of the series is a tangle of personal history and criminal pursuit, with each episode weaving investigative steps through strained family ties in a close community where everyone knows too much. Spanning two seasons across sixteen episodes, the show is a serialized, continuing story rather than a case-of-the-week format. Its tone is bleak and tense, with stark Icelandic landscapes amplifying a sense of isolation and dread. Fans of Trapped, The Killing and Broadchurch will find resonance in its brooding atmosphere and layered investigation.

• Trappednordic noir tone, troubled female detective, rural isolated community, serialized murder investigation
• The Killingnordic noir, bleak small town mystery, personal trauma driving investigation
• Broadchurchbrooding crime drama, detective confronting family history, dark atmosphere

Created by

Ragnar Jónsson, Aldís Amah Hamilton, Andri Óttarsson, Baldvin Z

Release Date

2021-12-25

Episode runtime

53 min

Rating

6.5 / 10 (14)

What is Black Sands about?

A troubled Icelandic police officer returns to her hometown, where confronting her abusive mother collides with the hunt for a serial killer after a body is found.

What is Black Sands like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Black Sands as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.

Is Black Sands violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Black Sands as moderate.

Which shows are like Black Sands?

Shows with a similar feel include Trapped, The Killing, and Broadchurch.

How long is Black Sands?

Black Sands: 2 seasons, 16 episodes.

Is Black Sands still running?

No, Black Sands has ended.