As part of its new true-crime series, “The Breakthrough,” Netflix shows a key Swedish probe that took almost twenty years to finish. The four-part limited series, which premiered on January 7, 2025, is based on the 2004 double murder in Linköping, which was the first murder case in Europe to be solved using genetic forensics.
The series, created by Lisa Siwe and written by Oskar Söderlund, is about Detective John Sundin (Peter Eggers), who is trying to find justice in a case about to be forgotten. The story focuses on the important work that police and genealogist Per Skogvist (played by Mattias Nordkvist) did together. Skogvist’s DNA profiling techniques were very helpful in solving the case.
The series goes beyond the usual crime procedural format. It was filmed in Linköping, where the killings happened. It details how long inquiries can make people feel. Eggers’ character, who is based on the real-life detective Jan Egon Staaf, has many personal problems as the case goes on, which gives the forensic story more meaning.
Emmy-winning Swedish actor Eggers is in the cast. He is best known for his part in the historical drama “Anno 1790,” Nordkvist played Glenn Close’s wife in “The Wife.” Julia Sporre plays Stina Eriksson, an eager journalist, and Jonatan Rodriguez plays Miran, Sundin’s superior officer.
Despite the high interest, Netflix has not announced a second season of the series. Although future choices may depend on viewer ratings, industry experts say this aligns with the series’ original design as a limited project.
The production company FLX tells the story in four 40-minute parts. The series’ portrayal of this important time in European crime investigation has gotten mixed reviews. It especially shows how genetic genealogy, a fairly new way of investigating, has changed how cold cases are handled.
“The Breakthrough” is part of a larger trend of international versions of real crimes that are becoming more popular on streaming services. It demonstrates Sweden’s ongoing impact on the crime drama genre. The series provides a complex view of contemporary criminal justice and its technological advancements by fusing cutting-edge investigative techniques with the human side of the case.
Early comments from the audience show that they are very interested in how personal and professional lives become intertwined during long investigations. The series’ emphasis on cutting-edge investigative techniques, which are becoming increasingly important in crime solving, is also appreciated by viewers.
You can now watch all four “The Breakthrough” episodes on Netflix worldwide.
