What is Detective Forst? Explanation of the new Netflix series

All six episodes of Detective Forst have been released on Netflix. But what exactly is this atmospheric Polish series about?

Netflix has a strong track record when it comes to foreign language content. The streaming giant is looking for the gems where they are hidden, as with Squid Game, one of the platform’s biggest hits in 2021, straight from Korea.

We can also cite The Rain (Denmark), La Casa de Papel (Spain), Dark (Germany) or even Alice in Wonderland (Japan). And the list could well be extended with a new series, this time coming straight from Poland.

Because positive reviews abound for Detective Forst, suggesting that Netflix has a new nugget there. So, what do you need to know about the thriller series before jumping in? We tell you everything!

What is Detective Forst about? Explanation of the Netflix series

The official Netflix summary describes the plot of Detective Forst as follows: “Suspended for his unconventional methods, an investigator teams up with a journalist to solve a series of brutal murders on his own terms.”

This unconventional detective is Wiktor Forst (Borys Szyc), and his journalist partner is Olga Szrebska (Zuzanna Saporznikow). Their unorthodox investigation takes place in the Tatra Mountains, the natural border between Slovakia and Poland. A difficult place to track down clues – but also a beautiful setting for the series.

Adding more would spoil the plot full of twists and turns of Detective Forst. Let’s just say you can expect plenty of ingenious deductions, as well as psychological drama, all against the backdrop of stunning, icy landscapes.

We also allow ourselves a little warning: sensitive souls refrain! Especially since the bodies accumulate all along of six episodes.

Is the Detective Forst series based on a book?

Yes, the Detective Forst series is based on the Forst detective novels by Polish author Remigiusz Mróz.

To date, Mróz has written six Forst novels, listed below (with the titles translated into English, due to lack of a French version):

Exposure (2015)
Overhang (2016)
Traverse (2016)
Unevenness (2017)
Rockslide (2018)
Foehn (2020)

The series Netflix is essentially inspired by the first two novels, Exposition and Overhang. For the moment, no information has been communicated on a possible sequel to Detective Forst. It is very likely that the future of the series depends on its success on the streaming platform.