Why Netflix show Secrets We Keep is being compared to global hit Adolescence

Danish series offers an unflinching look at the country's au pair culture

Lukas Zuperka as Viggo and Frode Bilde Ronsholt as Oscar in Secrets We Keep. Photo: Netflix

A new Netflix drama, which follows two wealthy Danish families as they deal with the fallout from a missing Filipina au pair, is being compared by fans to Adolescence – the global hit that put a spotlight on incel culture and toxic masculinity.

Secrets We Keep, a six-part limited series in Danish, had its premiere on May 15 and has struck a chord with viewers for its gripping pace and unflinching look at racism and Denmark's au pair culture.

The show, called Reservatet in Danish, has been viewed more than 10.3 million times since its debut and is currently the No 1 non-English show in more than 28 countries.

What is Secrets We Keep about?

Marie Bach Hansen as Cecile in Secrets we Keep. Photo: Netflix

The show follows Cecilie (Marie Bach Hansen), a wealthy executive, whose neighbour's maid Ruby (Donna Levkovski) suddenly goes missing. After realising that her obscenely rich neighbours do not seem too bothered about their au pair's disappearance, Cecilie increasingly grows concerned. Her suspicion and investigation then eventually leads her close to home.

Why is it being compared to Adolescence?

Hit British show Adolescence broke Netflix viewership records, with many praising it for its technical achievement – each of the four episodes is shot in one take – and for tackling issues about toxic masculinity.

While Adolescence centres around a 13-year-old boy being accused of murdering his classmate, a girl, Secrets We Keep is meant to be a thriller. But it also tackles several issues, from class divide and racism to misogyny and toxic online culture.

Lukas Zuperka as Viggo in Secrets We Keep. Photo: Netflix

Further, it spotlights the ramifications of an increasing number of young Danes being raised by foreigners. Like many of the wealthy families in the show, Cecilie and her husband Mike (Simon Sears) also employ a Filipina au pair Angel (Excel Busano), whose primary job is to take care of their toddler.

Angel is also close to Ruby, their neighbour's au pair, who later goes missing.

While Cecilie and Mike adore Angel, who in-turn seems to enjoy living with the family, Cecilie increasingly gets frustrated after noticing their pre-teen son Viggo's (Lukas Zuperka) attachment to Angel.

How does Denmark's au pair scheme work?

Secrets We Keep offers an unflinching look at Denmark's au pair culture. Photo: Netflix

Meant to be sort of a cultural exchange, under Denmark's au pair scheme, foreign nationals can live with a Danish family for up to two years where they learn the culture and language while contributing to the household. In return, au pairs are entitled to receive pocket money monthly as well as boarding and lodging.

A large majority of au pairs in Denmark are Filipinos. Despite essentially being housemaids, they are not officially recognised as labour migrants and therefore are not protected by labour laws.

Is Secrets We Keep based on a true story?

Lukas Zuperka as Viggo and Frode Bilde Ronsholt as Oscar in Secrets We Keep. Photo: Netflix

No. Creator and co-writer Ingeborg Topsoe said she was fascinated by the power structures within a family.

“Denmark is often portrayed as a very egalitarian society, and I’ve never seen homes like these portrayed on TV,” she said. “Perhaps it’s a reality we don’t want to acknowledge the existence of.

“Au pairs are ‘part of the family', while being employed, and parents are well-meaning, while absent. It’s these cold, hard facts, hidden beneath a soft layer of niceness, that intrigues me.”

Secrets We Keep is now streaming on Netflix