Fortitude

Sophisticated snowbound mystery is slow, bloody, compelling.
Fortitude
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Fortitude is a sophisticated murder mystery thriller that features lots of mature content, including cursing, nudity, simulated sex acts, and gruesome images of maulings, severed limbs, and bloody injuries. Set in a Norwegian frontier town when people are "guaranteed the quiet life," the show features many sweeping shots of snowscapes as well as the troubling activities that occur in "the world's safest place." Starring a cast of seasoned British and American actors, Fortitude is wonderfully acted and beautifully filmed, but its slower pace may be most appealing to grown-up mystery buffs.
Community Reviews
Fascinating but horrifying
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First-rate psychological drama
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What's the Story?
FORTITUDE is a British dramatic series about a fictional Norwegian frontier boomtown called Fortitude located north of the Arctic Circle. Touted as an idyllic place for true nature lovers, it's sleepy and crime-free. Overseeing the town and its international residents is Sheriff Dan Anderssen (Richard Dormer), who also works to support Governor Odegard (Sofie Gråbøl) in her efforts to launch a premier glacier hotel. But after the violent murder of a researcher who could put a stop to that project, Anderssen finds himself investigating a homicide alongside DCI murder detective Eugene Morton (Stanley Tucci). Meanwhile, residents such as Jules and Frank Sutter (Jessica Raine and Nicholas Pinnock) and Henry Tyson (Michael Gambon) are coping with their own demons.
Is It Any Good?
This dark but traditional murder mystery is full of twists and turns as the personal narratives of Fortitude's residents intertwine with the town's behind-the-scenes political and questionable activities. The relationships between the characters and with their icy environment give the show an extra layer of psychological intrigue.
There's not a lot of action, but with compelling actors such as Tucci and Gambon and carefully crafted story lines, there are enough tension-filled moments to keep viewers' interest. More importantly, the longer you watch, the less confident you'll feel about who-dun-it.
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TV Details
- Premiere date: January 29, 2015
- Cast: Richard Dormer, Stanley Tucci, Sofie Gråbøl
- Networks: Pivot, Amazon Prime Video
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love mysteries
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