Television: Hinterland

Definition of “Hinterland”

“Hinterland” is a television series that blends crime drama with elements of nordic noir, originally airing from 2013. It is known for its atmospheric settings and intricate plotting.

Characteristics of “Hinterland”

The show unfolds around the central character Detective Chief Inspector Tom Mathias, a brooding figure haunted by past personal troubles.
It stands out for weaving the remote, rugged terrain of Wales into its narrative, creating a distinctive sense of place that adds depth and tension to the storyline.
Each episode focuses on an individual case, but there is a continuous narrative arc that explores the main character’s past, providing a complex and layered storyline.

Genre Codes & Conventions of “Hinterland”

Visual Codes: The series uses desolate landscapes and dark, atmospheric cinematography as visual codes, effectively creating a menacing and suspenseful tone.
Audio Codes: The show makes use of minimalistic, suspenseful music to enhance the underlying tension and dread, often allowing the stark silence of the landscape to speak volumes.
Narrative Codes: Like many crime dramas, “Hinterland” employs narrative elements such as unpredictability and suspenseful plot twists, maintaining viewer engagement with cliffhanger endings.

Representations in “Hinterland”

“Hinterland” represents its protagonist as a troubled but deeply empathetic figure, his personal storyline interwoven with the criminal investigations he conducts.
The series explores issues of isolation and secrecy in small communities, bringing to light the complexities within seemingly tranquil rural landscapes.
The consistent use of the Welsh language and location sets it apart, representing a distinctively regional aspect of British culture that’s rarely spotlighted in mainstream media.

Impact of Social/Cultural Context on “Hinterland”

The integration of the Welsh language and landscape reflects a broader trend of regional differentiation in British television, celebrating unique cultural identities within the United Kingdom.
“Hinterland’s” focus on isolated, rural communities and the secrets they hold may be seen as a metaphor for contemporary societal fears concerning privacy and surveillance.
The largely bleak representation of rural life may mirror wider social anxieties about the decline of traditional communities and regional cultures in an increasingly globalised world.

When revising, consider the ways that the narrative and aesthetics of the series engage with its social and cultural context, and how the show uses genre conventions to construct a distinctive world and emotionally complex characters.