The Bridge Arrives on Amazon Prime Video UK

The acclaimed Swedish-Danish crime series The Bridge is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video in the UK, with all four seasons accessible to subscribers. The show, originally known as Broen/Bron, straddles the physical border between Sweden and Denmark, and its premise revolves around a corpse discovered on the bridge connecting Malmö and Copenhagen.

The investigation that follows draws in Swedish detective Saga Norén and her Danish counterpart Martin Rohde, played by Sofia Helin and Kim Bodnia respectively. The body is revealed to be two halves of two different women—one a Swedish politician, the other a Danish prostitute—prompting a joint cross-border inquiry that involves local authorities, the media, and an elusive killer who claims his crimes highlight social issues. Throughout the series, the two lead detectives navigate their own intertwining personal lives.

Fan and Critical Reception

Online reviews of The Bridge frequently highlight the performances of Helin and Bodnia. One IMDb reviewer wrote: "Acting is first rate, especially that of the two leads, Kim Bodnia, who plays Martin Rohde and the utterly brilliant Sofia Helin, who plays the clever but quirky Saga Noren." The same reviewer added: "Her performance is exceptional and you can't help but love her character."

Other fans have praised Helin's "excellent" depiction of a character on the autism spectrum. One commenter noted: "Helin's interpretation of a police officer with Autism spectrum disorder, Asperger type, was just excellent. Without a doubt, one of the best performances I've ever seen, made by a non-autistic actress/actor."

While reviews vary, a common thread among viewers is the comparison between The Bridge and The Killing (originally titled Forbrydelsen). Both Scandinavian crime dramas are considered benchmarks of the genre and have been adapted into English-language versions. They share a dark visual aesthetic, incorporate substantial political and social themes, and progress at a deliberately measured pace rather than relying on frantic chase sequences. One fan wrote about The Bridge: "This one is a corker. It's right up there with 'The Killing' - and that's saying a lot."

Broadcast History and International Remakes

The Bridge's run in Britain proved highly successful. Following its initial broadcast on SVT1 and DR1 in 2011, it quickly arrived on BBC Four, with two additional series following, and the final installment was shown on BBC Two.

The show has inspired seven international remakes, each set on a different border or crossing. These include The Tunnel, a British-French version set in the tunnel between the two countries; another The Bridge spanning El Paso, USA, and Juárez, Mexico, featuring Diane Kruger; Most, set between Russia and Estonia; Der Pass, between Germany and Austria; and I Gefyra, connecting Greece and Turkey.