Fans of the complex sci-fi mystery Dark now have a new show to love: season two of the crime thriller The Chestnut Man is now streaming on Netflix. Dark, which ran for three seasons and became a huge hit for Netflix, was known for its intricate plot and atmospheric style. The Chestnut Man delivers a similar experience, but with a Danish setting and language, making the two series a great pairing for anyone who enjoys suspenseful, thought-provoking dramas.
The Netflix series The Chestnut Man premiered in September 2021, introducing viewers to Naia Thulin, a detective in Copenhagen (played by Danica Curicic), and Mark Hess, a former Europol investigator (played by Mikkel Boe Følsgaard). The first season quickly pulled Thulin and Hess into a complex murder investigation. With its many parallels to another popular show, The Chestnut Man is highly recommended for fans of that series.
What The Chestnut Man Is About & How Season 2 Is Different
The Danish series The Chestnut Man has earned a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is quickly gaining popularity with viewers. Created by Dorte Warnøe Hagh, David Sandreuter, and Mikkel Serup, the show is adapted from the 2018 novel of the same name. Søren Sveistrup, known for his work on the acclaimed series The Killing, served as head writer.
In The Chestnut Man, detectives Thulin and Hess investigate a disturbing serial killer who targets mothers, believing they are failing their children. The killer leaves a unique clue at each crime scene: a small figure crafted from chestnuts and matches. This leads them to uncover links between the current murders, a mass killing from 1987 on the island of Møn, and a long-unsolved kidnapping case involving a government minister’s daughter.
The Nordic noir series The Chestnut Man creates a bleak and realistic mood. The story delves into a complex mystery while also thoroughly exploring the backgrounds of detectives Thulin and Hess, their personal relationships, and the inner workings of the Copenhagen police. This continues in the next installment, which sees Thulin and Hess tackling a new case after the shocking conclusion of the first season.
Season 2 of The Chestnut Man, now titled Hide and Seek, is based on Søren Sveistrup’s 2024 novel, Tælle til en, tælle til to. This season moves away from a traditional serial killer plot to focus on cyberstalking, creating a more unsettling and paranoid atmosphere. We also see a deeper and more complicated dynamic develop between the characters of Thulin and Hess. Five years have passed for both the viewers and the characters, and their relationship is now strained by a past romance that didn’t work out.
Dark & The Chestnut Man Share Many Similarities
Though quite distinct in their plots, The Chestnut Man and Dark make a great pairing. Both shows have been highly praised by critics, with Dark‘s three seasons achieving impressive approval ratings on Rotten Tomatoes – 90%, 100%, and 97%. Season one of The Chestnut Man also features a connection between the present and 1987, similar to the complex time jumps in Dark.
As a huge fan of twisty, complex shows, I was completely hooked by Dark. It followed these four families in a German town, and it all started with a missing kid, Mikkel Nielsen. But things quickly spiraled into this incredible time-travel mystery, and honestly, the story just kept growing and growing, eventually introducing a whole other timeline! It was wild, with so many surprising connections between the families. I recently watched The Chestnut Man, and while it doesn’t have any of the sci-fi elements of Dark, it’s just as gripping and suspenseful. It’s a different kind of thrilling, more down-to-earth, but it kept me on the edge of my seat just as much.
The acting in The Chestnut Man, featuring Louis Hoffman, Lisa Vicari, Maja Schöne, Oliver Masucci, Karoline Eichhorn, Julika Jenkins, and a talented ensemble, is truly outstanding. The cast delivers some of the most compelling and realistic performances you’ll find on Netflix. Beyond the acting, the show’s realistic approach, dark and mysterious atmosphere, intricate plot, and creative visuals are comparable to the high quality of Dark.
If you enjoyed the complex and atmospheric mystery of Dark, The Chestnut Man is a great follow-up. Like Dark, it features a dark and gripping tone, and builds to shocking twists and unexpected connections. The series centers around Rosa Hartung as she investigates a serial killer known as the Chestnut Man, and the mystery unfolds in a similar, captivating way to Hide and Seek. For those still thinking about Dark six years after it ended, The Chestnut Man offers a similarly satisfying and intricate experience.
Found an error? Send it so it can be corrected.
Read More
- Everything You Need To Know About Nikki Baxter In Stranger Things’ Animated Spinoff
- ‘The Bride!’ Review: Jessie Buckley Breathes Life into a Monstrous Mess
- Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun season 4 release schedule: When are new episodes on Crunchyroll?
- The Boys Season 5, Episode 5 Ending Explained: Why Homelander Does THAT
- Miranda Kerr Shares “Quick” Procedure She Got Before Met Gala 2026
- 7 Great Recent TV Shows That Not Enough People Watched
- 7 Most Brutal Avengers Villains, Ranked by Threat Level
- 10 Movies That Were Banned in Different Countries For Random Reasons
- Tatyana Ali Says Son Was Pushed Back Inside Her During Traumatic Birth
- Blue Ivy Carter, 14, Makes Met Gala Debut as One of Youngest Guests
2026-05-07 20:36