The New Force comes from Sweden and is based on true events. In 1958 an “experiment” letting women into the police force took place in the Klara police district in Stockholm, the most crime-ridden part of the city. The women quickly proved they were capable of the work, and more women were hired after their first success.

The New Force looks at three women in particular. The three shared an apartment. Each had issues and problems to deal with in becoming police women. They were the support system for each other.

Carin (Josefin Asplund) was in trouble from the first moment because she refused to follow procedure. She lifted evidence, she took home confidential files, she went into dangerous places on her own. She uncovered criminals both inside and outside the police and was in danger of being kicked out of the program at every turn. Her boyfriend Arne (Rasmus Luthander) was not willing to be with a woman who was in the police department.

She fought to maintain her job and see justice done.

Ingrid (Malin Persson) was partnered up with an older cop named Wallin (Jimmy Lindström) who introduced her to lots of unsavory people and activities. He was corrupt and a bigot. She had secrets that made what Wallin wanted her to do especially repugnant.

She fought to maintain her job and see justice done.

Siv (Agnes Rase) wanted to get out of walking the beat and become a detective. She wasn’t above lying and unkindness to get what she wanted. She befriended a detective named Oscar (Hannes Fohlin). Her ambitions were more personal than a quest for justice.

The women were butting their heads up against a traditional system of male cronyism and paternalism that made doing anything very difficult. I thought their efforts to buck the system were realistic (and as enraging then as they are now).

I liked the women’s stories and that none of them were perfect people. I was put off by the strange rapid montages set to contemporary rap music. It felt like an attempt to be clever or current or edgy but it didn’t really work. It didn’t fit with 1958 women in hose and garters who were forced to wear uncomfortable shoes and skirts.

The six episode series had all women directors, Rojda Sekersöz and Julia Lindström. It was interesting from a historical and feminist perspective, but I don’t give it the highest ratings. It ended on a cliffhanger. I’ve heard nothing about a second season. The New Force is streaming on Netflix.

Have you watched it? What did you think of it?