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Entertainment • TV Series

The Killing

The Killing is an American crime drama television series that aired from 2011 to 2014.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Killing is an American crime drama television series that aired from 2011 to 2014. Developed by Veena Sud, it is based on the Danish series Forbrydelsen and follows homicide detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder as they investigate murders in Seattle. The series was available in Canada through North American television and streaming distribution, and it was part of the broader popularity of Scandinavian-style crime drama adaptations among Canadian viewers.

Premise

The series follows murder investigations in Seattle, focusing on the detectives, the victim’s family, and related suspects and political figures. The first season especially centres on the murder of Rosie Larsen.

Production

The American version was developed by Veena Sud and produced by Fox Television Studios and Fuse Entertainment. It was adapted from the Danish television series Forbrydelsen.

Broadcast history

The Killing originally aired on AMC from 2011 to 2013, was cancelled and later renewed, and returned on Netflix for a six-episode fourth season in 2014. The series premiered on AMC on April 3, 2011, and the fourth season was released on Netflix on August 1, 2014.

Reception and distribution

The series was distributed internationally and is listed by streaming and TV guide services as a four-season crime drama. It was part of the broader popularity of Scandinavian-style crime drama adaptations among Canadian viewers.

Key facts

  • The series premiered on AMC on April 3, 2011.
  • It is based on the Danish television series Forbrydelsen.
  • The story centres on detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder and their homicide investigations in Seattle.
  • The show was cancelled by AMC more than once and later revived for a fourth and final season by Netflix.
  • The fourth season was released on Netflix on August 1, 2014.
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Canadian context

The series was available in Canada through North American television and streaming distribution, and it was part of the broader popularity of Scandinavian-style crime drama adaptations among Canadian viewers.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Killing about?
It follows Seattle homicide detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder as they investigate murders, especially the Rosie Larsen case.
What is The Killing based on?
It is based on the Danish television series Forbrydelsen.
Who created The Killing?
The series was developed by Veena Sud.
How many seasons does The Killing have?
It has four seasons.
When did The Killing end?
The final season was released on Netflix on August 1, 2014.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Killing_(American_TV_series)
    Supports: Premise, developer, broadcast dates, cancellation and Netflix revival, final season release.
  2. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/70180183
    Supports: Cast, creator, genre, and 2014 season information.
  3. Disney+ — https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-f5da5c2d-4626-4ba9-bcf3-ff5f891771fb
    Supports: Series description, setting, creator, and 2011–2014 run.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1637727/
    Supports: Series synopsis and revival/cancellation history.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the-killing
    Supports: Genre, network, original release date, and series description.