Josephine Park
Christina Aistrup Hansen
Overview
Pernille Kurzmann Larsen, a fresh-faced nurse at a hospital, begins to question the attention-seeking tendencies of her colleague, Christina Aistrup Hansen. As Pernille delves deeper into her suspicions, she starts to believe that Christina's behavior may be linked to a series of patient deaths.
Cast
9 people
Reviews
7 min read AI-generated editorial review
The Quiet Horror of Trust
I’ve watched enough true-crime dramas to recognize the beats by now: the eerie music cue, the slow zoom on a character’s face as they realize something is off, the inevitable montage of news clippings and courtroom sketches. But The Nurse doesn’t rely on those crutches. It’s a series that understands the most unsettling horrors aren’t the ones that announce themselves with a jump scare or a dramatic reveal—they’re the ones that unfold in plain sight, in the fluorescent-lit corridors of a place where people are supposed to be safe.
Kasper Barfoed’s four-part limited series is based on the real-life case of Christina Aistrup Hansen, a Danish nurse convicted of attempted manslaughter after administering lethal doses of morphine and diazepam to patients in her care. But the show isn’t interested in the sensationalism of the crime itself. Instead, it fixates on the slow, creeping dread of suspicion—how do you accuse someone you’ve trusted, someone whose very job is to heal, of something so unthinkable? The answer, as The Nurse reveals, is that you don’t. Not easily. Not without second-guessing yourself, your instincts, and the system that’s supposed to protect everyone.
The series unfolds in two timelines: one following Pernille Kurzmann (Fanny Louise Bernth), a new nurse at Nykøbing Falster Hospital who begins to notice unsettling patterns in her colleague Christina’s (Josephine Park) behavior, and another that peels back the layers of the investigation and trial that followed. It’s a structure that could feel gimmicky in less capable hands, but Barfoed uses it to ground the emotional weight of the story. We know where this is headed—after all, it’s based on a real case—but the tension lies in the how. How does a hospital, a place built on trust and routine, become a crime scene? How does a nurse, someone trained to save lives, rationalize taking them?
What’s striking about The Nurse is how little it leans into the tropes of the medical thriller genre. There are no dramatic confrontations in the operating room, no last-minute confessions extracted under duress. Instead, the horror is in the mundane: the way Christina lingers a little too long by a patient’s bedside, the offhand comments about how "some people just don’t want to fight anymore," the way her colleagues dismiss Pernille’s concerns as paranoia. The series understands that evil isn’t always a cackling villain in a dark alley—it’s often a person who smiles, who remembers your kids’ names, who brings you coffee when your shift runs long.
Josephine Park’s performance as Christina is a masterclass in unsettling ambiguity. She’s not a monster; she’s a woman who seems to thrive in the chaos of medical emergencies, who craves the adrenaline of being the one who "saves" the day. There’s a moment early in the series where Christina rushes to assist a patient in cardiac arrest, her movements efficient, her focus absolute. It’s a scene that could be played as heroic, but Park’s performance lingers on the pleasure she seems to take in the crisis. Her eyes light up, her breath quickens—not with fear, but with something closer to excitement. It’s a chilling detail, one that makes her later actions feel like an extension of that same thrill-seeking impulse.
I’ve watched enough true-crime dramas to recognize the beats by now: the eerie music cue, the slow zoom on a character’s face as they realize something is off, the inevitable montage of news clippings and courtroom sketches. But The Nurse doesn’t rely on those crutches. It’s a series that understands the most unsettling horrors aren’t the ones that announce themselves with a jump scare or a dramatic reveal—they’re the ones that unfold in plain sight, in the fluorescent-lit corridors of a place where people are supposed to be safe.
Kasper Barfoed’s four-part limited series is based on the real-life case of Christina Aistrup Hansen, a Danish nurse convicted of attempted manslaughter after administering lethal doses of morphine and diazepam to patients in her care. But the show isn’t interested in the sensationalism of the crime itself. Instead, it fixates on the slow, creeping dread of suspicion—how do you accuse someone you’ve trusted, someone whose very job is to heal, of something so unthinkable? The answer, as The Nurse reveals, is that you don’t. Not easily. Not without second-guessing yourself, your instincts, and the system that’s supposed to protect everyone.
The series unfolds in two timelines: one following Pernille Kurzmann (Fanny Louise Bernth), a new nurse at Nykøbing Falster Hospital who begins to notice unsettling patterns in her colleague Christina’s (Josephine Park) behavior, and another that peels back the layers of the investigation and trial that followed. It’s a structure that could feel gimmicky in less capable hands, but Barfoed uses it to ground the emotional weight of the story. We know where this is headed—after all, it’s based on a real case—but the tension lies in the how. How does a hospital, a place built on trust and routine, become a crime scene? How does a nurse, someone trained to save lives, rationalize taking them?
What’s striking about The Nurse is how little it leans into the tropes of the medical thriller genre. There are no dramatic confrontations in the operating room, no last-minute confessions extracted under duress. Instead, the horror is in the mundane: the way Christina lingers a little too long by a patient’s bedside, the offhand comments about how "some people just don’t want to fight anymore," the way her colleagues dismiss Pernille’s concerns as paranoia. The series understands that evil isn’t always a cackling villain in a dark alley—it’s often a person who smiles, who remembers your kids’ names, who brings you coffee when your shift runs long.
Josephine Park’s performance as Christina is a masterclass in unsettling ambiguity. She’s not a monster; she’s a woman who seems to thrive in the chaos of medical emergencies, who craves the adrenaline of being the one who "saves" the day. There’s a moment early in the series where Christina rushes to assist a patient in cardiac arrest, her movements efficient, her focus absolute. It’s a scene that could be played as heroic, but Park’s performance lingers on the pleasure she seems to take in the crisis. Her eyes light up, her breath quickens—not with fear, but with something closer to excitement. It’s a chilling detail, one that makes her later actions feel like an extension of that same thrill-seeking impulse.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reports AI-researched entertainment notes
Behind the Scenes of The Nurse: The True-Crime Drama That Shocked Denmark
Netflix’s The Nurse (2023) isn’t just another medical thriller—it’s a chilling adaptation of one of Denmark’s most infamous true-crime cases. Directed by Kasper Barfoed, the series dives into the unsettling story of Christina Aistrup Hansen, a nurse whose charisma masked a dark secret. With Josephine Park leading the cast, the show has sparked conversations about the fine line between dedication and obsession in high-stakes professions. Here’s what we know about the making of this gripping drama.
From Real Life to Screen: The Disturbing Inspiration
The Nurse is based on the real-life case of Christina Aistrup Hansen, a Danish nurse accused of killing multiple patients in her care. According to director Kasper Barfoed, the series explores how Hansen was perceived by colleagues: a skilled, charismatic professional who was later revealed to have a disturbing pattern of behavior. "Everyone in the hospital just knew that she was a great nurse who was super skilled and very charismatic," Barfoed told Netflix’s Tudum 
. The show’s tension stems from Pernille Kurzmann Larsen (played by Fanny Louise Bernth), a new nurse who begins to suspect her colleague’s involvement in a string of patient deaths.
The series is produced by the same team behind The Chestnut Man, another Nordic crime hit, which may explain its taut pacing and atmospheric dread . While the real-life case remains controversial, the show leans into the psychological unraveling of both the accused and those who trusted her.
Casting Choices: Who Plays Who?
Josephine Park takes on the complex role of Christina Aistrup Hansen, a character described as both magnetic and deeply unsettling. Park’s performance has been praised for capturing the duality of a nurse who was admired by peers before her alleged crimes came to light [1]. Opposite her, Fanny Louise Bernth plays Pernille, the nurse whose suspicions drive the investigation.
The supporting cast includes:
- Peter Zandersen as a hospital administrator navigating the fallout.
- Dick Kaysø, a veteran Danish actor, in an undisclosed role.
- Selma Kjær Kuscu, Amalie Lindegård, Sofia Cukic, Stephanie Nguyen, and Mathilde Eusebius rounding out the ensemble as colleagues, patients, or investigators
.
While the evidence doesn’t specify how the cast prepared for their roles, the real-life stakes of the story likely added intensity to their performances. Barfoed’s direction, known for its realism in crime dramas, suggests the actors may have drawn from true events to ground their portrayals .
Behind the Camera: Kasper Barfoed’s Vision
Kasper Barfoed, a Danish director with a background in thrillers and family-oriented films, brings a nuanced approach to The Nurse. His work often blends psychological tension with character-driven storytelling, and this series is no exception. Barfoed’s experience in crime dramas—including international action films—likely shaped the show’s pacing and tone [5][6].
One of the most intriguing aspects of The Nurse is its exploration of addiction—not to substances, but to the adrenaline of medical emergencies. Barfoed hinted at this theme in his conversation with Tudum, noting that while Christina’s actions were extreme, "her addiction to hospital drama is not uncommon in trauma care" [1]. This detail adds a layer of tragedy to the story, framing the character’s alleged crimes as a twisted form of validation.
What’s Unconfirmed (But Fans Are Curious About)
- Episode Count and Structure: The evidence doesn’t specify how many episodes The Nurse has or whether it’s a limited series. IMDb lists it as a "TV Mini Series," but without a confirmed count [3].
- Real-Life Aftermath: While the series is based on true events, the evidence doesn’t detail how closely it adheres to the legal proceedings or the real Christina Aistrup Hansen’s perspective.
- Audience Reception: There’s no mention of critical scores or viewer reactions in the provided snippets, leaving the show’s reception an open question.
Why This Story Resonates
The Nurse taps into universal fears about trust and betrayal in high-pressure environments. The idea that someone could exploit their role as a caregiver for darker purposes is deeply unsettling, and the series leans into that discomfort. Barfoed’s direction ensures the tension isn’t just about the crimes themselves but about the psychological toll on those who uncover them.
For fans of Nordic noir, The Nurse offers a fresh angle on the genre, blending true-crime elements with a character study of a woman whose motives remain ambiguous. Whether you’re drawn to the mystery, the performances, or the real-life inspiration, the series delivers a haunting exploration of what happens when the line between healer and predator blurs.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
Series
Similar Series
Related series ranked by rating and popularity.
Olive Kitteridge
2014 • Series
Good American Family
2025 • Series
Queer as Folk
1999 • Series
Uzumaki
2024 • Series
Bleak House
2005 • Series
Remember Me
2014 • Series
Sons of Liberty
2015 • Series
The Passing Bells
2014 • Series
Babylon
2014 • Series
Padre Cícero
1984 • Series
The Slap
2015 • Series
From There to Here
2014 • Series