The second season of a thriller described as "Nordic noir at its finest" is streaming now in the UK on U. Black Sands follows police officer Aníta Elínardóttir (Aldís Amah Hamilton) as she returns to her hometown and estranged mother 14 years after leaving.
Her life is turned upside down when the body of a woman is found, and an investigation is launched, forcing Aníta to confront dark truths in her past.
The Icelandic thriller began in 2021, with season two following in 2024 and finally premiering internationally this year.
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In season two, Aníta shares a child with Reykjavík police officer Gústi (Ævar Þór Benediktsson), who moves to the village alongside his teenage daughter to be closer to them.
Following a suspicious death, Aníta and Gústi investigate the abuse of girls at a foster home from many years before.
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Black Sands garnered several rave reviews, with fans on IMDb hailing it as "excellent" and "gripping".
One review reads: "Not sure why this isn't rated higher. I loved it. A slow burn that pays off at the end. Dark and atmospheric. Interesting and highly flawed characters. Beautiful location."
Another, simply titled "grim grim grim", added: "Did I mention that this show is grim? I was reminded of that great BBC series The Fall, which went places I'd never seen a crime show go before.
"I'm not sure Black Sands is in that class... and I am a bit dubious about the psychological twist... but it is a decidedly earnest and in some ways fearless work. And very, very grim."
A third said Black Sands was "Nordic noir at its finest", adding that it was "brilliant, black and bleak like the Icelanders (and Nordics) do best".
Meanwhile, another user wrote: "Beautifully brutal and minimalistic Icelandic scenery contributes to a tense atmosphere where you permanently feel there is something wrong, but it's never actually revealed to you. Until brutal, strong, emotional ending."
Black Sands seasons one and two are available to stream now on U.
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