Wallander: The beginning of the end

A change of pace for our Sunday night thriller slot …

Wallander is back - for the final time, sadly. Ken Branagh’s Kurt bows out at the end of this, the fourth series, and be assured, it’s going to be emotional.

Don’t let the seductively slow pace turn you away from this beautifully crafted drama. A missing Swedish woman, two chopped off fingers and almost comfortingly, a corrupt politician, converge as Kurt Wallander, in South Africa to attend a policing conference, can’t help his instincts and sets off to uncover the truth that connects them.

Kurt joins an obliging South African police force, with capable sidekick for the episode, Grace, indulging his theories, which of course prove to be spot on.

This was not edge of the seat stuff but the production doesn’t demean its audience by being obvious or dumbing down. It’s bemused face, finger on chin stuff as you trail Wallander through the clues, to the point where you can finally say: Of course it is! Why didn’t I see that?

Some Twitter fans were bemoaning the location, preferring their man back in his natural habitat of Ystad in Sweden. It was far too sunny and warm for their liking, as Wallander is the original Nordic Noir (BBC4 ran the original subtitled Swedish version before the launch of Branagh’s portrayal). Maybe they’re unaware that Wallander’s creator, Henning Mankell, spent many a happy time in Africa, and was delighted that Branagh included The White Lioness in his final trilogy of television films based on the 12 book source material.

Altogether more measured and sedate than what we’ve been used to on a Sunday evening recently, the final two episodes nevertheless promise a similar mental workout for all armchair detectives. BBC1, 9pm Sunday.

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