Walter Presents revisits the country that spawned Nordic Noir – Sweden – with ‘Blackwater', an enthralling and sinister piece of drama.
If you want to avoid all spoilers, stop reading this article now.
It’s midsummer 1973, and the peculiar and unwelcoming residents of Blackwater in northern Sweden are getting ready to celebrate the longest day, when the sun never sets. Arriving on a bus from Stockholm is Annie (Asta Kamma August) and her young daughter, Mia. Annie is planning to meet her boyfriend, Dan, who lives on a commune some miles out of town. Annie plans to teach at the commune. But Dan never shows; so eventually, Annie and Mia get a lift from a lecherous storekeeper and then have a two-hour walk to the site itself.
Earlier in town, Johan (Liam Gabrielsson Lövbrand) witnesses his father and stepbrothers attack a local farmer, leaving him for dead. Johan runs to find the local doctor, Birger (Sven Boräng) and a newly recruited policeman from Gothenburg, and tells them what he saw. When the family learn of Johan’s indiscretions, his stepbrothers – driving the most ridiculous huge American convertible – track him down and throw him into a well.
Annie has realised by now that Dan has done a bunk, so she and Mia – covered in insect bites – head towards a campsite where she previously saw some activity. But instead of finding help, she discovers two dead campers – a young Dutch couple who were visiting the area.
Meanwhile Johan has eventually managed to climb out of the well (with an eel he’s rescued from the well, too – as you do!), and is spotted by Annie running through the forest seconds before she stumbles across the corpses.
Cut to 1991. Annie (now played by Pernilla August) has settled down in Blackwater as a teacher with the doctor, Birger (now played by the legendary Rolf Lassgård – best known as ‘Wallander'), and her trusty dog. But she’s nervous and sleeps with a shotgun next to her bed at night. Mia has come to visit her, along with her boyfriend – who, Annie realises, is the mysterious Johan. Later that night when Birger comes home, he discovers that Annie has disappeared (along with the shotgun), it raises alarm bells. Where has she gone? And is it something to do with Johan?
There’s a lot to take on board in this opening gambit; but it sucks you in superbly. The acting is excellent, and the writing is totally enthralling. The 1970s period dominates the opening episode, and you really find yourself rooting for poor gullible Annie. Similarly, Johan – bullied by his vile family – gets our sympathies, as he tries to escape their clutches.
We’re only a few weeks into 2025, but already this might be a contender for the best WP drama of the year. ‘Blackwater' (Händelser vid vatten in Swedish) is superb viewing and well worth a look.
Walter Presents: ‘Blackwater' premiered on Channel 4 and the boxset is available now on C4 Streaming.
