Waves crash against a shore of black sand. Not a soul is in sight; even the birds are eerily absent. Dark rocks tower over the scene as a woman enters your view.
The woman is a troubled police officer named Aníta. After years of policework and establishing a new life in the city, she’s forced back to her hometown when the body of a tourist is discovered there.
Despite her own misgivings, Aníta can appreciate why tourists frequent the area. Beyond the shore, black sand and rocks give way to rolling green hills. Further north, wild landscapes of glaciers and thermal pools await adventurers from around the world.
Aníta’s demons still overshadow the beauty of the town for her with the imposing task of confronting her abusive mother, all while hunting down a serial killer. This and more is told in the new crime thriller Black Sands created by Iceland’s own Baldvin Z.
Talk Around Town
Black Sands is the first thriller series by Baldvin Z since the hit show Case. Black Sands was commissioned by Channel 2 in Iceland, and the eight-part series was penned by Baldvin, Ragnar Jónsson, and Aldís Hamilton (who also plays the lead character).
The concept for this mysterious thriller was first presented at the Gothenburg Festival in early 2021. The festival kicked up immediate interest, especially with the reputation of Glassriver, Baldvin Z’s fast-growing company and a top provider of quality content for both the Icelandic market and international audiences.
Black Sands was described by Baldvin as a “dark romantic thriller.” It’s not overloaded with crime language, he says, but instead walks viewers through the trials and tribulations of real and relatable characters as they investigate a murder.
The crime-focused nature of the series lends itself to dark landscapes and evocative writing, but it’s the human element that will keep viewers enamored with the show.
Aldís Hamilton in Black Sands
Ragnar Jónsson and Aldís Hamilton became the principal writers after Baldvin first conceptualized the show. Aldís also plays the lead role, which for her has been a “dream come true.” The young actress has gone so far to say that the opportunity came much sooner in her career than she’d imagined.