Where was The New Force shot? Revisiting the filming locations of Netflix’s latest crime drama 

And by now, if you are already addicted to The New Force (also known as Skiftet), you have likely paused at some point in the middle of an episode and wondered: Where have they shot all these old-fashioned streets, smoky police offices, and dingy back alleys? The series transports us back to 1958 Sweden after a group of pioneering women were recruited as the first female police officers in the country.

Those retro scenes, of course, were not taken right out of history but were recreated in real locations. The filming of The New Force was done during the warmer months of 2024 because the creators wanted to take advantage of the natural light, as well as use real buildings rather than creating new ones. The outcome is a show that truly feels like it is part of its setting: natural, detailed, and totally realistic.

The New Force used old town to create new stories

Cobblestone streets are gold if you want to display the 1950s on the screen. Gamla Stan (Old Town) in Stockholm is an ideal place to get such a look, consisting of small squares, narrow lanes, and warm-colored houses that look like they're from the post-war period. The crew of The New Force shot in various locations in Stockholm County to recreate the old Klara police district, with its small cafes and hand-painted shop signs, as well as old streets that appear old even today.

Under Kastanjen, a small bistro in Brända tomten, Gamla Stan, was used as one special filming location. It lent scenes an actual, inhabited quality, not too tidy or contemporary. Shooting in real cafes and streets gave life to each frame, even the window reflections or bicycles on the street.

These minor, natural details gave the show a touch of reality and texture. While watching The New Force, one simply does not see 1958; they practically feel like they have entered it.

Prisons, factories and the industrial grit of Norrköping

The New Force crew visited Norrköping in southern Sweden when the show needed a location that felt heavy and official with metal doors, echoing corridors, and a strict, cold ambience. The combination of outdated factories and the serene streets suited the city best, as compared to the more traditional appearance of Stockholm.

They shot several of the prison scenes in a real deserted prison there. Having a realistic correctional building in The New Force gave a natural touch of antique rusty bars and peeling paint, and the echo of concrete steps that would be difficult and costly to duplicate on a studio set.

Outside the prison walls, the streets and landmarks of Norrköping were also shown in panoramic shots. The government buildings, broad roads, and old industrial blocks in the city all appeared exactly how they did in the 1950s after the team added some old cars and billboards.

Islands, archipelago vibes, and why Sweden itself became the set

The New Force was also filmed on the Baltic coast of Sweden (particularly in Vaxholm and adjacent towns in the archipelago) besides Gamla Stan and Norrköping. Whenever the tale required scenes of ferries, salty air, or old wooden houses that seemed to be steeped in history, these seaside locations were used.

Shooting in actual archipelago towns helped give the story a special atmosphere: the sea becomes a part of it, the old wooden houses speak of bleak winters, and the ferry lines remind us of the beat of small-town life.

The show used real Swedish locations, which assisted the show both practically and artistically. The architecture and landscapes are genuine, the local extras add realism, and the settings are natural in the way they mirror the themes of class, isolation, and gossip that the story deals with.

On 3rd October, 2025, Netflix premiered The New Force as a continuation of its emphasis on Nordic-style period dramas. The shooting in Stockholm County, Norrköping, and the islands made it appear incredibly detailed and natural, instead of a generic period show.

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