'The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek' – Cast, Plot, Release Date & Everything to Know

Published 05/02/2026, 11:29 PM CDT

The chilling world of Nordic noir is set to expand once again with The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek, the highly anticipated follow-up to the 2021 Danish crime thriller that left audiences unsettled and craving more. Based on the work of Søren Sveistrup, the new installment shifts focus to a fresh case while retaining the atmospheric dread, slow-burn tension, and psychological complexity that defined the original series.

Positioned as a standalone sequel, The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek reunites viewers with familiar faces while introducing a disturbing new mystery rooted in obsession, surveillance, and a sinister childhood game. As the story unfolds, the series leans deeper into its haunting tone, proving that the terror of the past may be gone, but something equally disturbing has taken its place.

That lingering unease carries straight into the ensemble bringing this twisted story to life.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The cast of The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek

Leading the series in The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek once again are Danica Curcic as determined investigator Naia Thulin and Mikkel Boe Følsgaard as Europol detective Mark Hess. Their complex professional relationship, marked by tension, trust, and unresolved personal undercurrents, continues to evolve, adding emotional depth to the procedural core of the story.

Season 2 also introduces fresh faces, including Sofie Gråbøl and Katinka Lærke Petersen, who play key roles tied to the new case. Meanwhile, familiar actors such as David Dencik and Lars Ranthe are expected to appear in supporting or cameo capacities, reinforcing continuity with the original series while expanding the ensemble.

Netflix Adds All Seasons of NBC’s High-Concept Thriller ‘La Brea’ to Its Catalog

With the characters firmly established, the story pivots into an unsettling new mystery that defines this season’s narrative.

The plot of The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek

The new season centers on the disappearance of a 41-year-old woman, whose digital trail reveals months of stalking by an unknown perpetrator. The case quickly takes a sinister turn as investigators uncover a disturbing pattern, images, videos, and a nursery rhyme-style counting song sent by the stalker, turning a childhood game into something deeply menacing.

When the woman is found murdered, the investigation links back to an unsolved case involving a teenage victim from two years earlier. Thulin and Hess are forced to reconnect and navigate both the complexities of the case and their own strained dynamic. Unlike the chestnut figurine killings of Season 1, this story stands on its own, leaning into psychological terror and methodical detective work while maintaining the grim tone of classic Scandinavian crime dramas.

'The Whisper Man' on Netflix: Cast, Plot, Release Date, and Everything to Know about The Gripping Thriller Coming on Netflix

As anticipation builds around the story, the release details have only added to the excitement surrounding the series’ return.

The release date of The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek

The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek is set to premiere globally on Netflix on May 7, 2026. In keeping with the platform’s binge-friendly format, all six episodes will be released simultaneously, allowing viewers to immerse themselves fully in the unfolding mystery from day one. The series will be available in Danish with multiple subtitle and dubbing options, making it accessible to a global audience.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

With a fresh standalone storyline, returning leads, and a more psychologically intense premise, The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek looks poised to deliver another compelling chapter in Netflix’s lineup of thrillers. By blending haunting themes with character-driven storytelling, the series continues to explore the unsettling intersections of crime and human behavior.

‘Santita’ Netflix Cast: Meet the Characters of Streamers' Latest Mexican Limited Thriller Drama Series

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Are you planning to watch The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek? Let us know in the comments below! 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

ADVERTISEMENT

Karishma Dasgupta

312 articles

Karishma is an entertainment journalist at Netflix Junkie. She enjoys digging deep into stories and bringing clarity to the often fast-moving world of entertainment. She holds a double Master’s degree in Fashion Business Management and Digital Marketing.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

ADVERTISEMENT

EDITORS' PICK