Beck (1999)

A landmark Swedish crime drama following detective Martin Beck across 11 seasons of intricate investigations and compelling Scandinavian storytelling.

Beck - Series Information

  • Original Title: Beck
  • First Air Year: 1999
  • Last Air Year: 2025
  • Created by: Kjell Sundvall
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
  • Content Rating (US): TV-14
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (90 minutes)
  • Number of Seasons: 11
  • Number of Episodes: 55
  • Status: Returning Series
  • Original Language: Swedish
  • Spoken Languages: Swedish
  • First Air Date: December 12, 1999 (United States - TV-14), December 12, 1999 (Canada - 18+), December 12, 1999 (Germany - 12), December 12, 1999 (France - 12), December 12, 1999 (Australia - M), December 12, 1999 (Spain - 13)
  • Networks: C More, TV4
  • Production Countries: Sweden

Beck - Plot

Beck follows Swedish police officer Martin Beck and his team as they investigate various crimes.

Beck - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and get a sense of Beck's atmospheric Scandinavian crime storytelling.

Where to Watch Beck

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Beck - Cast & Crew

Creator(s)

  • Kjell Sundvall

Main Cast

  • Peter Haber
  • Ingvar Hirdwall
  • Måns Nathanaelson
  • Rebecka Hemse
  • Mikael Persbrandt
  • Elmira Arikan
  • Anna Asp
  • Jennie Silfverhjelm
  • Peter Hüttner
  • Jonas Karlsson

Writers

  • Rolf Börjlind
  • Cecilia Börjlind
  • Johan Bogaeus
  • Mikael Syrén
  • Antonia Pyk

Executive Producers

  • Ole Søndberg

Beck - FAQs

Is Beck based on a book series?

Yes, Beck is based on the Martin Beck novel series written by Swedish authors Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. The ten-book series, published between 1965 and 1975, is considered a landmark of Scandinavian crime fiction and directly inspired the long-running television adaptation.

Where can you stream Beck online?

Beck is available to stream through MZ Choice Amazon Channel and Mhz Choice. It can also be purchased on Amazon Video. Additionally, select episodes are available for free on Hoopla. Availability may vary depending on your region.

Who plays Martin Beck in the series?

Peter Haber portrays the lead character Martin Beck throughout the series. His measured, introspective performance has become the defining portrayal of the detective. Mikael Persbrandt also featured prominently as the volatile Gunvald Larsson in earlier seasons.

Why did Mikael Persbrandt leave Beck?

Mikael Persbrandt departed the Beck series after Season 3 to pursue other acting projects, including international film roles. His character Gunvald Larsson was written out of the show, and the ensemble cast evolved over subsequent seasons with new characters introduced to fill the void.

How many seasons does Beck have?

Beck has 11 seasons plus a specials collection, totalling 55 episodes. Season episode counts have varied over the years, with earlier seasons featuring 8 episodes each and later seasons running 4 episodes. The series remains in production as of 2025.

Is Beck still airing or has it ended?

Beck is currently a returning series and remains in production. The show has been airing since 1999 and continues to release new content, with Season 11 underway. It airs on Swedish networks C More and TV4, making it one of Scandinavia's longest-running crime dramas.

What is the content rating for Beck?

Beck carries a TV-14 content rating in the United States, indicating it may be unsuitable for children under 14. The series contains mature themes including violent crime, murder investigations, and morally complex storylines consistent with the Scandinavian crime drama genre.

What shows are similar to Beck?

Viewers who enjoy Beck often appreciate Wallander, another acclaimed Swedish crime drama based on Henning Mankell's novels. Cracker and The Night Manager also share Beck's blend of psychological depth and procedural tension. Top Dog is another strong Scandinavian crime recommendation.

More About Beck

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