Netflix's 'The Breakthrough': A True Crime Miniseries Based on a 16-Year-Old Unsolved Case

True Crime News

Netflix's 'The Breakthrough': A True Crime Miniseries Based on a 16-Year-Old Unsolved Case
TelevisionNetflixThe Breakthrough
  • 📰 screenrant
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 258 sec. here
  • 15 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 138%
  • Publisher: 94%

This article delves into Netflix's new crime miniseries 'The Breakthrough,' which recounts the chilling true story of a double murder in Sweden. It examines the show's plot, highlighting the innovative use of ancestral DNA in solving the case, and compares it to the real-life investigation, revealing both similarities and fictionalized elements.

This article contains mentions of graphic violence. Netflix 's newest show, The Breakthrough , is a crime miniseries based on a true story of a double murder that occurred on October 19, 2004. The Breakthrough covers a shocking double murder that goes unsolved for 16 years before a significant development with DNA testing finally nails the culprit of this heinous crime. The Breakthrough 's cast of characters is based on the real people involved.

Netflix's true crime shows are generally big hits, and The Breakthrough is no different, immediately stepping into Netflix's top 10 TV shows upon its release. The victims of this tragic double murder were 8-year-old Mohammed Ammouri and 56-year-old Anna-Lena Svensson, portrayed in the show as Adnan (Marley Norstad) and Gunilla (Anna Azcárate). The Breakthrough is another excellent true crime TV show that explores the double murder, the heartbreaking aftermath, and the lengths detectives were willing to go to in order to find and arrest the suspect. The Breakthrough is a Swedish show, given that this crime occurred in Linköping, Sweden. However, Netflix provides English subtitles and voice dubbing. Netflix's The Breakthrough Is Based On A 2021 Novel About A Real Double Murder In Sweden The Breakthrough: How The Genealogist Solved The Double Murder In Linköping By Anna Bodin & Peter Sjölund Close Netflix's The Breakthrough is based on the book by journalist Anna Boden and genealogist Peter Sjölund. Boden and Sjölund recount the journey from the tragic incident to effectively establishing a suspect 16 years later. Oskar Söderlund, who wrote the screenplay for Netflix's adaptation, was inspired by'strong human destinies behind this massive murder investigation' (via Netflix). This double murder was eventually solved because people refused to give up, from the detectives on the case to the victims' relatives begging for answers to the genealogist who changed the game. What Really Happened To Mohammed Ammouri & Anna-Lena Svensson Mohammed Ammouri & Anna-Lena Svensson Were Stabbed To Death Close On October 19, 2004, an unknown assailant (later discovered to be Daniel Nyqvist) fatally stabbed Mohammed Ammouri, an 8-year-old boy. A witness, 56-year-old Anna-Lena Svensson, intervened, leading Nyqvist to fatally stab her as well. However, the case quickly became cold because there were no substantial leads to establish a motivation or a suspect. However, investigators did not give up, and in January 2019, they implemented a new method that involved utilizing ancestral DNA. After over a year of hard work, Daniel Nyqvist was finally arrested on June 9, 2020, after investigators had effectively discovered him through his ancestral DNA. There was a second witness who was able to provide the authorities with a description of the suspect. Police also gathered evidence at the crime scene, including the suspect's hat, the murder weapon, and DNA. Detectives eventually released two sketches of the suspect—one in 2010 and another in 2018—which led to hundreds of tips. Furthermore, investigators also established that the suspect most likely had mental health issues, but other theories were tossed around as well by a crime professor, Leif GW Persson, and a TV show host, Hasse Aro. How Much Of The Breakthrough Actually Happened? The Investigation Had A Much Slower Trajectory In Real Life Close According to Netflix, The Breakthrough is a fictionalized version of what actually happened to Mohammed Ammouri and Anna-Lena Svensson. Netflix's adaptation got several elements right—Svensson was initially a witness, but after intervening upon seeing the killer stab Ammouri, he moved to attack her as well (via Dagens Nyheter). The culprit, Daniel Nyqvist, endured mental health issues and decided to attack because he heard voices in his head. Other similarities in Netflix's The Breakthrough also occurred in real life, such as the countless tips, a composite sketch of the killer, and the use of ancestral DNA. Furthermore, the witness did not have trouble recalling what the culprit looked like; they immediately remembered that he was a young man in his twenties with blond hair. However, Netflix altered some of the events in their adaptation. The killer's DNA that detectives had retrieved was initially much more helpful than The Breakthrough suggests—investigators determined through the DNA sample that the suspect was a smoker from Northern Europe (via RTÉ). Furthermore, the witness did not have trouble recalling what the culprit looked like; they immediately remembered that he was a young man in his twenties with blond hair. Another significant difference between Netflix's The Breakthrough and the real-life crime involves the timeline of the investigation. Related 10 True Crime Books That Desperately Need TV Adaptations True crime stories are gripping, horrifying, and often brilliantly compelling. However, these titles haven't been adapted for TV but are deserving. Posts In The Breakthrough, the sketch of the killer was released within the first few months after the incident, but in reality, Swedish police only released a sketch in 2010, six years after the double murder. Furthermore, The Breakthrough depicts legal issues regarding using ancestral DNA, but these issues did not actually occur. In reality, investigators got started as soon as legislation made it possible to use genealogy websites in January 2019. The process took over a year rather than a few hectic, high-pressure days. However, Netflix raising the stakes to provide a more thrilling narrative in The Breakthrough makes sense

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

screenrant /  🏆 7. in US

Television Netflix The Breakthrough True Crime Double Murder DNA Genealogist Sweden Unsolved Case

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Unveiling 'The Breakthrough': Netflix's Swedish Crime DramaUnveiling 'The Breakthrough': Netflix's Swedish Crime DramaNetflix's latest Swedish crime drama, 'The Breakthrough,' is based on a real-life double homicide that took nearly two decades to solve. The series highlights the case's complexity and the compelling performances of its largely unknown cast.
Read more »

The Stranger: A Haunting True Crime Thriller on NetflixThe Stranger: A Haunting True Crime Thriller on NetflixThe Stranger on Netflix is a chilling true crime thriller based on the real Australian sting operation to catch Brett Peter Cowan, who was suspected of abducting and murdering 13-year-old Daniel Morcombe. The film masterfully builds suspense, exploring the psychological impact of a crime on everyone involved.
Read more »

Netflix’s ‘The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping’ Remains a Hidden Gem of True CrimeNetflix’s ‘The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping’ Remains a Hidden Gem of True CrimeThis year saw some of Netflix's most disturbing documentaries, but one underrated gem from 2024 is 'The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping'. This three-part docuseries explores the dark underbelly of American society, uncovering a hidden history of exploitation and abuse.
Read more »

True Detective Season 4 Star Has A Great Replacement Show With Netflix’s New Spy ThrillerTrue Detective Season 4 Star Has A Great Replacement Show With Netflix’s New Spy ThrillerGreg is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant. He majored in Film Production at Chapman University and worked in Development at ABC Television.
Read more »

Is Netflix's 1992 Based On A True Story?Is Netflix's 1992 Based On A True Story?Netflix's 1992's true story elements explained.
Read more »

8 Biggest Details Netflix's Maria Leaves Out From The True Story Of Maria Callas' Life8 Biggest Details Netflix's Maria Leaves Out From The True Story Of Maria Callas' LifeSarah Little is a Senior Writer with five years of entertainment journalism experience. She covers several topics from The Hunger Games to The Rookie.
Read more »



Render Time: 2025-02-12 12:03:32