Pennsylvania Becomes Backdrop for Dark Crime Dramas

Pennsylvania's distinctive landscapes, from its declining suburbs to its lush forests, are increasingly serving as the setting for prestige television dramas that explore themes of neglect and the efforts to rectify it. This trend has drawn comparisons to Nordic noir, adapting its bleak atmospheric style to an American context.

This approach is evident in shows like the Pittsburgh-set medical procedural The Pitt, and more prominently in Brad Ingelsby's Philadelphia-area crime dramas. Ingelsby's series, including Mare of Easttown and the recently renewed Task, extend beyond single locations to use the state's natural and built environments to underscore the tough nature of their respective stories.

The newly released Apple TV series Nocturne, created by Rowan Joffé and developed by John Hlavin, directly follows this mold. Based on the Swedish novel The Sandman by Lars Kepler, the show transplants the Northern European sensibility to the mid-Atlantic region.

The first episode introduces Jurek Walter (Stephen Graham), an inmate at a maximum-security psychiatric facility, exhibiting traits reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter. A new nurse, Karl (Rory Culkin), is manipulated by facility director Brolin (Gameela Wright) into searching Jurek's cell under the pretense of administering medication. During the search, Jurek subtly requests Karl's assistance in passing a note to his lawyer, citing censorship of communications.

Simultaneously, the investigation into the reappearance of Michael Frost (Landon Valentin), a boy missing for years, begins in the Pennsylvania town of Fairhaven. His discovery on a bridge, emaciated and disoriented, raises questions about his disappearance and the ongoing absence of his sister, Felicia. The case is passed from local Chief Dave Ellison (Bill Camp) to Detective Nate (Gary Carr), who then involves FBI agent Saga (Zazie Beetz).

Saga, portrayed as a no-nonsense investigator, is introduced during a successful but physically taxing undercover operation. The case also connects to retired detective Jonah (Liev Schreiber), whose personal history is intertwined with the disappearance of the Frost children and his own family tragedy. Saga's own family history is also complicated, with her father having died under mysterious circumstances and her stepmother having vanished around the same time as the Frost siblings.

Jonah, initially portrayed as a recluse immersed in a conspiracy board related to the Jurek/Frost cases, is spurred back into action by Michael and Felicia's mother, Ida (Chrissy Metz). Despite his past involvement in the Jurek case, which reportedly “broke” him, Jonah's detective skills are re-engaged when he identifies the likely location of Michael's captivity—an abandoned data center—based on a small sample of dust found in the boy's hair.

Without official authorization, Jonah and Nate infiltrate the data center and find the room where Michael was held. Subsequently, at a joint task force meeting, Jonah asserts his authority, earning the reluctant partnership of FBI Special Agent in Charge Alexandra Quinn (Poorna Jagannathan). Their next step involves re-interviewing Jurek Walter, whose past actions deeply affected the Fairhaven community.

Jurek proves to be a challenging subject, displaying erratic behavior and demonstrating resourcefulness even in solitary confinement. He hints at having an accomplice or follower on the outside, suggesting the note passed by Karl was part of a larger plan. Jonah's denial of ever having lied about Jurek in court is met with skepticism, implying a hidden truth.

Saga, suspicious of Jonah and motivated by her own belief in Jurek's involvement in her sister's disappearance, joins Jonah at his home. There, she discovers his extensive conspiracy wall, reinforcing her desire to be involved in the case. The episode concludes with Jonah contacting Quinn, indicating his renewed commitment to pursuing the investigation.