After arriving on the platform back in 2022, Clark has become one of Netflix’s best hidden gems, with fans calling the six-part drama a “masterpiece” and “binge-worthy”

hile some shows come and go from Netflix, others remain on there indefinitely, allowing viewers a second chance to stream them if they missed them upon their initial release.

One of these hidden gems is the six-part series, Clark, which is based on the life of Swedish gangster Clark Olofsson, a prolific bank robber who endeared himself to the nation thanks to his personality. The term Stockholm syndrome was partially coined during his attempted robbery of Kreditbanken, the largest bank in Stockholm at the time, where some of his captives became enamoured with him.

The series was first released back in 2022, and it focused on Clark’s exploits, including his robberies, drug trafficking and escapes from prison, alongside his relationships, including his prison marriage to Belgian national Marijke Demuynck in Kumla, a high-security prison in the region of the same name.

Clark, who has been referred to as Sweden’s ‘celebrity gangster’, died at the age of 78 last year, following a bout of ill health. The career criminal left behind six children.

A synopsis for the mini-series reads: “The story of Clark Olofsson, the man behind Stockholm syndrome, who fooled all of Sweden to love him despite his crimes.”

What did fans make of Clark?

The series was very well received when it first aired, with one fan enthusing: “Amazing, fast, funny, harsh, hilarious at times, dry humour, bombastic, black humour, you name it, they checked all the boxes. Binge-worthy!” They then added: “Based on a true character but not a thing you must know. Cinematographic masterpiece, Bill Skarsgård obviously had fun making this role his own.”

A second said: “It felt at times like Pink Panther-meets-Austin Powers, but much zippier. Bill Skarsgard (as Clark) is seemingly very much enjoying himself with this series. And why not,” while a third surmised: “Best and most entertaining series I have seen in years!! Bill Skarsgård is brilliant, and [the] editing’s sublime! Soundtrack is amazing, too – by Swedish prog metal mastermind Mikael Åkerfeldt from Opeth (cameo as prison inmate to Clark). Highly recommended, way to go Sweden!!!”

© Nikola Predovic
Bill’s performance was hailed by fans and critics

Another posted: “The editing and directing is brilliant, fast paced and very similar to directors like Tarantino and Edgar Wright. The fast cutting and great acting from Skarsgård make this series very enjoyable to watch.“

Bill’s acting was also praised in a four-star review in The Radio Times, in which James Hibbs penned: “It’s a tour-de-force acting showcase for the Pennywise actor, who brims with charisma as the morally bankrupt yet still somehow likeable Clark. He’s charming, goofy, volatile, obnoxious, arrogant, petulant, magnetic, all at once, and it’s really something to behold. It’s a six-hour performance that you won’t be able to take your eyes off.”

Who stars in Clark?

The series is led by Bill Skarsgard, who today is best known for his role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the recent It film and television series. Bill’s half-brother, Kolbjorn (Kenny Starfighter), plays a younger version of Clark, while Lukas Wetterberg (Veronika) plays a teen version of the gangster.

© Netflix
Bill led the cast in an impressive manner

Also in the cast are Vilhelm Blomgren (Midsommar), Isabelle Grill (The Quiet Beekeeper), Malin Levanon (The Bridge), Hanna Björn (Loop), Peter Viitanen (The Unlikely Murderer), Sandra Ilar (Parterapi), Björn Gustafsson (Spy), Adam Lundgren (Blue Eyes), Agnes Lindström Bolmgren (The Restaurant) and Christoffer Nordenrot (Kenny Begins).

Rounding out the cast are Claes Malmberg (Dancing Queens), Daniel Hallberg (Eat a Swede), Alicia Agneson (Vikings), Sofie Hoflack (Stanley H), Alida Morberg (Black Lake), Tommy Körberg (Casanova), Lina Ljungqvist (The Last Sentence) and Swedish musician Tobias Forge.