TV: The Killing Series II

Sarah Lund is back. Hurrah. The Danish TV thriller has returned to our screens complete with broody music, dark, grizzly landscape, and Lund’s never-ending penchant for the woolly jumper. This time, however, things have progressed from local politics to national; from Copenhagen’s city hall to Denmark’s central government. Apart from Lund, the only familiar (and ever-stony) face is that of her boss, Brix. We’ll have to get used to a whole new set of characters, but thankfully we can still anticipate red herrings galore.

We find Lund a broken remnant of her former self. She has been transferred to a low-status police position and looks even more sombre than she did before (then again, you would really, after all that Nanna Birk-Larson business). Although she is initially resistant to reprise her role as a murder investigator, it doesn’t take long for her to get on the blower to her boss. Reminiscent of the aftermath of a bad break-up, she is faced once again with the familiar buzz and excitement of finding justice. She knows it will cause her endless anxiety and sleepless nights but luckily for us needy viewers she succumbs to the temptation. This time though, the military aspect and references to the war on terror make everything all the more tense and timely.

The Mancunian weather conditions and the fact that no one ever cracks a smile are oddly endearing. Sofie Gråbøl’s performance stands out amidst the murky setting as a force to be reckoned with. An unlikely heroine we find that Lund is isolated, lonely and disinterested in anyone outside of her job. The lingering shots, the close-ups and the dramatic pauses make the show unnervingly realistic; it offers refreshingly in-depth characterisation to keep viewers gripped from start to finish.

Want my advice – hibernate with the box set of series I. Then turn immediately over to iPlayer for a second helping.

The Harker provides a platform for young (unpaid) writing talent.