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After premiering on Danish television almost a year ago, The Legacy (or Arvingerne in Danish) has finally made its way to Ireland and the United Kingdom. And it’s a drama that is well worth the wait. Beautifully filmed, with a masterful script and superb acting, this series ticks all the boxes even if it doesn’t involve jumper-clad detectives or high politics.

But while it centres around family dynamics, The Legacy is almost as bleak as many of its Nordic counterparts. It tells the story of how the sudden death of Veronika Grønnegaard, a renowned and eccentric artist, impacts upon her family. With its opening scenes set during Christmas, we see the stark contrast between the festive genial holiday and the tendrils of frustration and anger that creep between the Grønnegaard family members and those connected to them. The series focuses on the four siblings, the youngest of whom, Signe, was adopted and did not learn of her biological family’s existence until days before Veronika’s death. Through her reacquaintance with the family, the series examines how Veronika’s unconventional lifestyle affected each of her siblings, often for the worse. Matters are further complicated by subsequent legal embroilments over the estate and inheritance, and the deathbed will that leaves almost everything to Signe. Watching so much bitterness makes for difficult viewing at times. But the deft character studies, the perfect pacing, and the slowly revealed nuggets of family history make the show extremely compelling. One can anticipate a thrilling end to this excellent ten-part series.

The Legacy airs on Sky Arts.