Helsinki Syndrome () is a Finnish television crime and drama series that began broadcasting on 2 September 2022 on Yle TV1. It was created by , who co-wrote the screenplay with Olli Suitiala, Tuomas Hakola and Olli Koivula. The series was directed by Juuso Syrjä, Lenka Hellstedt or Marko Mäkilaakso. The first season of eight episodes is set in the early 2020s beginning with a newspaper office, which introduces Elias (Peter Franzén) as an electrician who holds hostage the journalist Hanna (Oona Airola) and her colleagues. Negotiator Jarmo (Taneli Mäkelä) attempts to resolve the situation. Elias is a victim of the 1990s Finnish banking crisis; he wants the journalists to determine who is responsible for the predicament of long-term debtors. A second season of six episodes followed from 21 November 2024. Franzén, Mäkelä and Airola reprise their roles. Action is set two months later with Elias now a fugitive, with Jarmo hunting him and Hanna investigates an illegal government directive to courts in mid-1990s to absolve banks for causing long-term debt.
In 1992 and at 18 years old, Elias became guarantor for his father Pekka when he asked for a loan, which was approved by local bank manager Matti. In the following year, Pekka is declared bankrupt during the 1990s Finnish banking crisis. Over subsequent years the family is unable to clear the debt, and Pekka commits suicide in 2008. Elias remains bankrupt and he is unable to receive loans for his businesses. During the COVID-19 pandemic (early 2020s), Elias still does not qualify for subsidies, despite government promises. Elias decides to force Helsingin Sanomats journalists to investigate who is responsible for similar long-term debtors' problems.
Elias disrupts power and internet access in the newsroom, while setting bombs at doors. Four hostages, Hanna, Gusse, Anne and Eve, are held at gun point. They sift through bank, court and news records. Negotiator Jarmo is paired with police commander Hakkarainen and criminal investigator Tapani.
Elias allows Hanna to go outside so she can search the court archives of Pekka's case, where Matti's evidence had been deleted from written and audio taped court records. Hanna wants to print the story, while chief editor Susanna follows lawyers' advice to acquire more evidence before publishing. Gusse's health deteriorates as days pass without his diabetes medication. Tapani discovers where Elias had practiced making bombs and shooting guns. This also indicates that Elias had assistance and results in a search for Lauri. Elias and Lauri are tracking Matti's activity, who is expecting a major payment, but it is delayed. Without informing Jarmo, Hakkarainen tries to isolate Elias by cutting the electric power in the building, which also blocks Internet access and prevents Elias from opening doors or contacting Lauri. Lauri proceeds with Elias' plan, capturing Elina's partner Sami. He forces Elina to accept a German loan transfer. Gusse is retrieved by paramedics while having diabetic shock, and later dies. The loan transfer of 2.2 billion ⬠is diverted to various long-term debtors' accounts, with 0.5 billion unaccounted for. Hanna determines that Elias had lied: the court document's missing page was fabricated. Police eventually storm the newsroom, retrieve Anne and Eve, but Elias escapes.
TwoâÂÂthree months later, Elias hides out in a lakeside cabin. Through the long-term debtors network, he organises for Johannes and Santeri to visit. He gives a USB-drive containing a video message if he is captured or ill. Jarmo and Tapani trail Elias to the cabin. Tapani informs Hanna that they are about to capture Elias. Armed police break into the cabin, but Elias left an hour earlier. Hanna's superiors want to substantiate a recording of the 1992 Koivisto Conclave, where government officials authorise courts to exonerate banks, when they create long-term debtors. In exchange for NBI's verification of the recording, Hanna allows Tapani to observe Elias' interview. Elias is assisted by twin hackers, Pollux and Castor, who devise a computer virus. NBI chief Ortamo orders Jarmo to concentrate on tracking Treasury heist money to long-term debtors' accounts. Tapani deduces Elias' location, but Elias escapes again, albeit being scalded. Elias, Pollux and Castor introduce the virus into the Bank of Finland's computer and siphon off 23 billion â¬. Hanna prints her Conclave article; media speculates on charges. After talking with Hanna Elias surrenders to Jarmo and he is imprisoned, and later hospitalised with sepsis. Elias' new lawyer Isoniemi believes no bank, court or government official will be prosecuted.
Helsinki Syndrome () was announced in April 2021 as a joint production of Beta Film with . Peter Franzén was signed on as lead actor. It was created by . In the early 2010s Oikkonen had read stories of over-indebted families due to the 1990s Finnish banking crisis. Oikkonen considered a documentary, however Yle wanted a fictional drama inspired by those events, which became Helsinki Syndrome. Oikkonen's parents had become long-term unemployed during that crisis â his father worked in the electrical industry, which inspired Franzén's character of Elias. Filming of the television series began in June 2021.
Besides Helsinki, first season's filming occurred in Hyvinkää, Nurmijärvi, Hiidenranta in Vihti and Hiidenpirtti in Lohja. Buildings in Pusula, Lohja, were used for the Salo bank branch, Pikka Karo's home, and Liisa Koskinen's premises, set in Turku. The second season used an old lime and cement factory in Virkkala, Lohja, and locations in Sipoo.