Netflix has just pulled back the curtain on its highly anticipated follow-up to the acclaimed Danish crime series, The Chestnut Man. Fans can now get their first glimpse of The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek with the release of its chilling teaser and initial images. Mark your calendars, as this standalone six-part series is set to launch globally on Netflix on May 7, 2026.
The Game Begins Anew: A Twisted Hunt for Justice
The dark world of The Chestnut Man beckons once more, bringing back the captivating investigative duo, Mark Hess (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard) and Naia Thulin (Danica Curcic). This time, the seasoned detectives are plunged into an unnerving new case involving a series of gruesome killings, all strangely connected by a sinister twist on a childhood rhyme.
The central mystery unfolds with the disappearance of a 41-year-old woman. As police delve into her digital life, a disturbing truth emerges: she has been subjected to months of relentless stalking. An unknown assailant has been playing a terrifying “hide and seek,” sending her disquieting images, videos, and even an innocent-sounding nursery rhyme. When the woman is later found murdered, the investigation quickly links her death to a similar, unsolved case from two years prior – the murder of a 17-year-old high school student. Hess and Thulin must navigate this complex web to uncover the connection between the victims and anticipate the perpetrator’s next move, all while grappling with the complicated dynamics of their own partnership.
Unpacking the Haunting Narrative
Series creators and main writers Dorte W. Høgh and Emilie Lebech Kaae shared their excitement about revisiting the compelling universe of The Chestnut Man. They describe the new series as an “innocent game of hide-and-seek that the perpetrator twists into an involuntary, brutal stalking of innocent victims.” Loosely inspired by Søren Sveistrup’s celebrated novel, the series explores profound themes of families in crisis, the pain of loss and grief, and the overwhelming feeling of powerlessness. Høgh and Kaae emphasize a world where “with our phone in hand, we are constantly being watched and can never truly hide,” adding a layer of contemporary dread to the unfolding drama.
Conceptual Director Milad Alami highlighted the show’s commitment to the essence of Nordic Noir. He expressed that the genre shines brightest when it offers “unpredictability to the plot and believable characters that, apart from trying to find the killer, have something personal at stake.” This philosophy, he noted, permeated every aspect of production, from the script development to the visual aesthetics and production design, promising a truly immersive and authentic experience for viewers.
The Team Behind the Mystery
The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek is a SAM Productions creation, ensuring the high-quality storytelling and production values synonymous with top-tier Nordic Noir.
Key Cast: Danica Curcic, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Sofie Gråbøl, Katinka Lærke Petersen Based on: A novel by Søren Sveistrup Main Writers and Creators: Dorte W. Høgh and Emilie Lebech Kaae Directors: Milad Alami (conceptual) and Roni Ezra Producers: Morten Kjems Hytten Juhl and Stine Meldgaard Madsen Executive Producer: Meta Louise Foldager Sørensen Production Company: SAM Productions Format: Six episodes
Get ready for another gripping chapter in the world of Danish crime. The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek promises a deeply psychological thriller that will leave audiences questioning who is truly hiding and who is being hunted.
