The most powerful dramas are often the ones that feel unnervingly real - and Isolated is exactly that. The tense psychological thriller has been snapped up by Channel 4’s Walter Presents, and the premise feels scarily believable. The series takes us to a remote town in Finland that’s consumed by paranoia when a sudden blackout takes hold of a tight-knit community - with chilling results!
The Finnish drama (titled Utö in its native language) blends psychological drama with survival suspense - and a dash of supernatural mystery. It’s set on the southernmost Finnish island of Utö and sees its tiny group of residents unravelling after a terrifying series of events plunges the island into darkness and isolation - as an unexplained force takes hold.
While we wait for Isolated to arrive on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about the series, including the cast, plot and how to watch it.
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What is Isolated about?
The eight-part series is set on an idyllic island in the Finnish archipelago, eight hours ferry and drive away from Helsinki. One morning, without notice, its 40-or-so residents hear a mysterious booming sound as the last ferry departs, causing wildlife to flee and the island’s lighthouse shuts down.
Suddenly, Utö is cut off from the outside world and, without any food, electricity or safety, the islanders are forced to reckon with their deepest fears. Supernatural explanations taken from local mythology are considered - and things descend into violence as the residents turn on each other. How far will they go to survive?
Channel 4’s synopsis reads: “A series of mysterious events isolates the island of Utö, cutting off communication and trapping its inhabitants. As paranoia spreads among residents and suspicions rise with the appearance of strangers, the Finnish navy surrounds the island, struggling to explain the disturbances and growing increasingly desperate for answers as tensions escalate.”
The show’s producers envisaged it as a ‘what if?’ drama to give it a sense of realism - with the writers imagining themselves on the island and what might happen if they were actually cut off. “The island of Utö is a unique place with unique landscapes and surroundings and atmosphere,” producer Oskari Huttu told Drama Quarterly. “They started to think about this concept there, and that really showed in the first concepts and drafts.”
Who’s in the cast of Isolated?
The cast of Isolated includes:
- Elena Leeve (Maria Kallio, Arctic Circle) as Maria
- Joonas Saartamo (The Paradise, Rebecka Martinsson) as Henri
- Ville Virtanen (Bordertown, The Glass Dome) as Anton Kairamo
- Pihla Viitala (Arctic Circle, Deadwind) as Katja
- Kati Outinen (Arctic Circle, Peacemaker)
- Turkka Mastomäki (Helsinki Syndrome, Bordertown)
Is there a trailer for Isolated?
Yes, you can watch the Finnish language trailer for Isolated below.
Is Isolated any good?
Yes - when it first aired in Finland in 2024, it was hugely well-received, with viewers praising its brilliantly gripping plot and the fact the characters react to the situation they find themselves in in a somewhat relatable way. It’s been added to Channel 4’s Walter Presents catalogue - curated by film connoisseur Walter Iuzzolino and each of the international dramas have been hand selected to bring to a wider audience, so that's already a good sign. And don’t worry, this Finnish drama has subtitles!
How can I watch Isolated?
Channel 4 hasn’t shared a release date for Isolated yet – but as soon as we have a confirmed date, we'll share it here. In the meantime, you can check out our pick of the best show to watch now here.
