The Chestnut Man

A grisly discovery sets the story in motion: a murdered woman and a small figurine made of chestnuts left as a sinister calling card. Detectives Naia Thulin and Mark Hess take the case and follow a trail that links the killing to a missing child connected to a powerful politician. As the investigation unfolds, procedural police work collides with media pressure and political maneuvering, and the detectives' personal lives start to fray under the strain. The series keeps its focus on clues, interrogations and the human cost of the hunt, building tension through character choices and escalating stakes without revealing the solution prematurely.

Released in 2021, the series was created by Søren Sveistrup, David Sandreuter and Mikkel Serup, with a team of Danish writers and directors shaping its Nordic noir tone and cinematic look for television audiences.

It wasn't a major presence at international award ceremonies, though critics and Scandinavian industry coverage highlighted strong performances and production values, and the show received attention in local television discussions and festival programming.

The chestnut figurine became a memorable visual motif, and the series helped sustain global interest in Nordic crime dramas. It raised the profiles of lead actors like Danica Ćurčić and David Dencik among international viewers, and sparked online discussion about its dark imagery and moral ambiguity.

Critical response leaned positive, reflected by a 7.486/10 vote average from 625 users, with many reviewers praising the mood, atmosphere and lead chemistry while noting occasional pacing and plotting issues. Major themes include grief, obsession, institutional secrecy and the corrosive effects of public scrutiny, with the show favoring a methodical, character-centered approach over flashy twists.