If you've been scrolling through Netflix lately unsure what to binge in one sitting, there's a chance you simply missed The Glass Dome. This six-part Swedish miniseries premiered in April and has already racked up over 73 million hours viewed, landing in the global top 10 for non-English-language shows. It’s one of those 'another Scandinavian noir?' situations — but done so well you really can’t skip it.
What’s under the dome?
At the center of the story is a forensic investigator who returns to her northern hometown to look into the disappearance of a young girl. Her partner? A former police officer. All would be fine — except the town is where the heroine herself was kidnapped as a child. Now, everything comes back. The past, the unsettling details, and memories that can't be trusted.
Why is The Glass Dome being praised?
The series follows classic noir structure: oppressive atmosphere, long silences, very few clear clues. Yet the suspense is expertly sustained all the way to the finale, and even the short runtime doesn’t stop it from building a dense tension. There are no car chases here — but there is a slow-growing dread, stark visual style, and a creeping sense that no one is exactly who they claim to be.
And the ratings?
Right now the series holds an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes, which inspires confidence. Viewer ratings are lower — around 55% — but that might be because The Glass Dome demands more than something to play in the background during dinner.
Of course, The Glass Dome isn’t flawless. It can lean too hard into its bleakness, and the characters occasionally behave, well, strangely. But if you're in the mood for something fresh and unexpected, it’s a great choice. Especially if you’ve been missing noir with cold lighting, silence, grim flashbacks, and a mystery that refuses to unfold too quickly.
Six episodes, 73 million hours, one evening — and you're under the dome. Verified by viewers around the world.
