The British crime drama has been aptly described by viewers as 'emotionally charged', 'almost perfect', and an 'amazing masterpiece at an unprecedented level' - on Channel 4.08:31, 10 Aug 2026An under-the-radar television gem has thoroughly captivated audiences far and wide, and for good reason.‌The British crime drama has been aptly described by viewers as 'emotionally charged', 'almost perfect', and an 'amazing masterpiece at an unprecedented level'.‌Currently available to stream for free on Channel 4, Wallander has utterly captivated both audiences and critics all over the world. It first hit British airwaves in 2008 and was broadcast on television till 2016 spanning four riveting seasons.‌Adapted from Swedish author Henning Mankell's famous Kurt Wallander Swedish book series, this rendition marked the first time the book series was adapted into an English-language version for television.The detective drama charts the life of fictional Swedish detective Kurt Wallander in the modest Swedish town of Ystad - portrayed brilliantly by actor Kenneth Branagh, who's joined by Sarah Smart, Tom Hiddleston, Jeany Spark, Richard McCabe, David Warner, Sadie Shimmin and Polly Hemingway, to complete a stellar supporting cast.‌The first series of Wallander has been adapted from three of Mankell’s Kurt Wallander novels — Firewall, Sidetracked, and One Step Behind. Season two saw the books Faceless Killers, The Man Who Smiled, and The Fifth Woman come to life on the small screen, while series three adapted the short story An Event in Autumn, The Dogs of Riga, and Before the Frost (reimagined to put Kurt in the lead rather than his daughter Linda). Series four saw books The White Lioness and The Troubled Man masterfully depicted on television.Emmy Award-winning director Philip Martin was hired as lead director on the show, with Niall MacCormick and Benjamin Caron also coming on board to direct a few episodes.Wallander has enjoyed a successful run during award seasons, with the crime drama winning one International Emmy Award, six BAFTA Television Awards, and receiving a Golden Globe nomination as well as two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations in the years it was on television.‌With a smashing 90% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the series has been loved by many. One critic said of the show: “Although the mysteries to be solved in this series are satisfyingly complex, the greatest pleasure in watching them comes from the breathtaking beauty of the Swedish countryside and the aching solitude of Branagh's Wallander.”While another reviewer described the crime drama as “challenging, poetic and incredibly interesting”.‌A third critic said: “[Kenneth] Branagh is simply perfect here.”Audiences are equally enamoured, with one viewer writing: “I am not normally a fan of crime dramas, but Wallander is one of the most emotionally charged shows around.”A user review posted to IMDB says: “This show is an amazing masterpiece at an unprecedented level. The cinematography and performances are very genuine and they present moral dilemmas in a fascinating way.”Article continues belowWhile another viewer said of the show: “This series is one of the very, very best I have ever viewed!!!! The stories are interesting and keep your attention every second. Kenneth Branagh is one of the best British actors ever. I have watched each episode several times and they are the very best of the best!!!”One fan said: “Beautiful and almost perfect. Really enjoyed the whole thing. Brannagh is amazing, the plots and supporting cast are also great. There are many nail-biting moments. Highly recommend watching the whole series.”Wallander is available to stream for free on Channel 4 and U.