Netflix looks into the world of forensic genealogy with “The Breakthrough,” a new Swedish true-crime limited series launching Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Based on the non-fiction book “Genombrottet” by Anna Bodin and Peter Sjölund, the four-part series recounts a groundbreaking investigation that changed the landscape of crime-solving.
The series revisits the chilling 2004 double murder in Linköping, Sweden, a case that baffled investigators for 16 years. “The Breakthrough” chronicles the unlikely partnership of a determined detective and a genealogist, whose combined efforts led to the first murder solved using genealogical research in Europe. The series examines the meticulous process of tracing family trees and DNA, highlighting the power of this innovative technique.
Peter Eggers portrays the persistent detective, while Mattias Nordkvist takes on the role of the genealogist who provides the crucial link in the investigation. Directed by Lisa Siwe and written by Oskar Söderlund, the series offers a detailed account of the case, exploring the human stories behind the headlines. FLX produces the series.
