Mørkeland: a journey into forgotten crime stories

A podcast that breaks Denmark's silence with a precision and respect for detail that are rare. Mørkeland is not just a true crime podcast — it is a journey into the darker corners of crime cases that we, as a society, rarely confront. Since 2018, hosts Camilla Bjerregaard Aurvig and Kristine Sofie Bugbee have weekly explored both Danish and international crime stories. It is a fascinating journey through Denmark, carried by camaraderie and journalistic diligence. With over 280 episodes by June 2025, distributed on platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify, they delve into two different cases in each session. Often, they shed light on obscured societal aspects. The podcast is unique in combining rigorous research with a conversational style that is both warm and unsentimental.

In-depth research and ethical dilemmas in Mørkeland

The hosts' in-depth research illuminates the cases with humanity and sharp analysis while managing to balance respect with the grotesque. An example of their work is the episode on the Canadian Robert Pickton case, highlighting the structural societal failures that allowed the police's lack of action. However, Mørkeland is not without controversy. In 2021, the podcast was criticized by the Press Council following complaints from relatives who found their tragedy wrongly portrayed as a suicide. This criticism points to an ethical dilemma often lurking on the fringes of the true crime genre, but also to the necessity of ongoing source criticism and correction, which the hosts take seriously.

Mørkeland's cultural impact and interactive community

Mørkeland's cultural influence cannot be underestimated. The themes of the podcast have captivated listeners so strongly that it has been nominated for Danish Podcast Awards. Moreover, it has created communities such as fan clubs and holds sold-out live shows, extending the podcast's influence beyond digital boundaries. Their interactive conversation game, The Dark Talks, invites listeners into moral crossroads, fueled by the cases' unresolved and ethical dilemmas. Mørkeland acts as a mirror, forcing us to acknowledge the fragile structures of the justice system and society. It is an inescapable quagmire of truth and shadows in the modern media landscape.

Experience Mørkeland at podcasts.apple.com – and follow KrimiNyt for more in-depth true crime analyses that go beyond the headlines.