Svartir Englar is a 6 episode crime series that was hugely popular in Iceland.
The serie is based on best selling crime novels by Ævar Örn Jósepsson. Ævar has been hugely popular in Iceland and his novels have been translated to various Scandinavian languages as well a German and Dutch.
The story takes place in Reykjavik of our times. The main characters are Stefan, Katrin, Gudni and Arni, members of the police criminal investigation department.
The Icelandic crime scene has changed drastically from family orientated misdemeanors to more dangerous crimes that are even linked with international, organized crime.
The series undertone is the desperation the police experience when dealing with extreme and difficult situations as well as the innerbattle and love affairs of the main characters, their weaknesses and feeling that their job is a no good job.
Head of the script writing team is Sigurjón Kjartansson and director is Óskar Jónasson.
The score was written as a cooperation between Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson and Nicklas Schmidt
The serie was shot on HD format during an eight week period in the spring of 2008.
The serie premiered in the fall of 2008 on the Icelandic state television.