Maria Wern

Maria Wern returns to the police force on Gotland and quickly confronts a brutal murder that rattles the island's close-knit community. As Inspector Wern starts piecing together evidence, routine procedures lead her into personal and professional complications, with loyalties tested and long-held secrets surfacing. The show balances casework with everyday details, so the pace shifts between forensic method, witness interviews, and the quieter moments that reveal character. Episodes often use the island's weather and landscapes to heighten tension, while Maria's calm, methodical approach contrasts with the emotional fallout that follows each revelation. The series keeps focus on investigation rather than sensational twists, letting the characters and setting shape the mystery.

Created by Erik Leijonborg, the series premiered in 2008 in Sweden, starring Eva Röse as Maria Wern and featuring a consistent ensemble cast, shot largely on location on Gotland to emphasize atmosphere.

While it didn't claim major international awards, the show earned regional recognition and helped cement Eva Röse's reputation as a leading actor in Swedish crime drama, with critics noting the steady professionalism of the production.

The island setting and Maria's composed, authoritative lead became familiar to Scandinavian viewers, contributing to the wave of Nordic crime dramas on television. Several scenes and the moody cinematography are often cited when discussing televised portrayals of remote communities, and the series helped keep Gotland visible in popular culture.

Critics and viewers gave the show mixed to positive notices, reflected in a 6.7/10 user rating on some platforms. Reviewers praised the procedural focus, atmospheric filming, and character work, while noting the show favors careful plotting over high-octane thrills. Central themes include duty, the strain between work and family, and how small communities handle violence, all handled with a steady, observant tone.