Show of the Week: Veronika

This Nordic noir combines suspense and secrets with crime and legacy to deliver a deeply engaging drama that recently secured the first-ever second and third season recommission from SkyShowtime.

The series follows the life of detective and single mother Veronika Gren, whose investigations are complicated by disturbing visions that connect her to unresolved crimes of the past.

What begin as seemingly isolated cases gradually reveal deeper patterns stretching back decades, uncovering secrets powerful forces would prefer to keep buried. And combining a procedural and an over-arching mystery, viewers keep coming back.

“Season One resonated because it combined a strong, accessible crime engine with a distinctive psychological dimension,” says Calle Jansson, chief exec and producer at Sweden’s Bigster. “At its heart, Veronika is a grounded police procedural but the central character’s visions add emotional and narrative depth that sets it apart.”

The complex protagonist - attempting to balance motherhood, vulnerability and professional determination - struck a chord with audiences, adds Jansson, while cinematic storytelling and character-driven storylines helped to deliver success across international markets.

“The strong performance ultimately led to Veronika becoming SkyShowtime’s first local original to receive a two-season recommission - a clear endorsement of both audience engagement and platform confidence,” Vanda Rapti, exec vice president of Viaplay Select & Content Distribution adds of the series, which is written by Katja Juras and Anna Ströman (Honour).

The show’s first season (8 x 45 minutes) has sold into 55 markets worldwide and stars Alexandra Rapaport (The Sandhamn Murders), alongside Tobias Santelmann (Exit) and Arvin Kananian (Caliphate), who all return for the second season, which is directed by Academy Award nominee Mikael Håfström (Evil).

Its second season (6 x 42 minutes) will expand the mythology and character arcs of the first, while maintaining the strong crime engine that audiences connected with, Jansson explains.

“We meet Veronika at a moment of rebuilding - separated from her husband, returning to work, and trying to regain stability as a mother.

“As a present-day murder investigation unfolds, it opens the door to a much older story rooted in beliefs and patterns carried across generations. The case becomes increasingly intertwined with Veronika’s own family history, and the tension lies in her attempt to maintain control as her inner world becomes harder to ignore.

“The season explores legacy, inherited trauma and the consequences of long-buried secrets, raising both the emotional and investigative stakes.”

Jansson adds that the mythology deepens the atmosphere and psychological tension, without compromising the grounded crime framework.

“There is a growing sense that the past continues to shape the present in ways that are both emotional and unsettling,” she adds, with the series evolves into a more layered and resonant chapter. “The tonal approach remains restrained and character-driven; the focus is always on emotional truth rather than spectacle.”

It is this emotional truth, combined with “premium procedural storytelling with a distinctive psychological layer” that sets Veronika apart from the multitude of other crime dramas available, Rapti says. And with three seasons commissioned, the series offers premium boxset potential.

“At its core, Veronika explores universal themes: family, legacy, guilt and truth,” adds Jansson. “While rooted in a Nordic setting, the emotional conflicts are globally relatable. The central character is strong yet vulnerable, and the storytelling balances suspense with intimacy.

“The combination of a compelling female lead, high production quality, and a continuing serial arc makes it highly accessible for international audiences seeking elevated crime drama with depth.”