For a tale set in a dystopian vision of 2040, having been loosely adapted from Peter Høeg's 1992 bestseller, you may be surprised by how real the ensuing chill down your spine feels. Citizens are compelled to spy on each other with bodycams as drones hover menacingly overhead, yet an Inuk infant can be murdered without consequence.
Here's how to watch "Smilla's Sense of Snow" online from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for free.
"Smilla's Sense of Snow" premiered on Wednesday, July 30 in Australia.
• WATCH FREE — SBS on Demand (Australia)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
The product of a brief tryst between a Greenlandic Inuk and a rich Danish doctor, Smilla Jaspersen (Filippa Coster-Waldau) feels like an outsider in a Copenhagen that, amidst an energy crisis, has been radically remolded in the image of the incumbent right-wing government, which itself is in thrall to the megalomaniacal tech mogul Karsten Tork (Henry Lloyd-Hughes).
It's why she feels so protective of Isaiah (Silver Wolfe), an Inuit child living in her building. When his death is flagrantly brushed under the rug by police, Smilla sets out to find out what really happened. Aided by visions of Isaiah’s spirit, Smilla's investigation hits on the cover-up of a disastrous expedition funded by an energy firm.
The six-part thriller would have drawn comparisons with George Orwell and Philip K. Dick if director Amma Asante had released it a few years ago. In 2025, however, it feels as clear-eyed an interpretation of the road the current political discourse wants to lead us down as "The Handmaid's Tale", which Asante also worked on.
Read on as we explain how to watch "Smilla's Sense of Snow" online from anywhere, including free options.
How to watch 'Smilla's Sense of Snow' for free in Australia
How to watch 'Smilla's Sense of Snow' from abroad
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), "Smilla's Sense of Snow" should be available to Aussies no matter where they are. The software allows your devices to appear as if they're back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. Our favorite is NordVPN – and you can find out why in our NordVPN review.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in the U.S. and want to view an Aussie service, you'd select Australia from the list.
3. Sit back and watch the show. Head to SBS on Demand to watch "Smilla's Sense of Snow" for free.
Can I watch 'Smilla's Sense of Snow' in the U.S.?
Unfortunately, "Smilla's Sense of Snow" isn't airing in the U.S. at the time of writing.
If you're an Australian currently in the U.S., you can catch the show for free by using a VPN, such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Smilla's Sense of Snow' in Canada?
There's no word on whether or not "Smilla's Sense of Snow" will air in Canada either.
If you're in the Great White North for work or on vacation from Australia, you can catch the TV series for free by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Smilla's Sense of Snow' in the U.K.?
"Smilla's Sense of Snow" hasn't been picked up for broadcast in the U.K. yet. However, the show is being distributed by ITV Studios.
If you're currently on holiday in the U.K. from Australia, one of the best VPN services will help tap into your free stream. We recommend NordVPN.
'Smilla's Sense of Snow' Need to Know
'Smilla's Sense of Snow' - Cast
Smilla Jaspersen - Fillippa Coster-Waldau
Rahid Youseffi - Elyas M'Barek
Katja Claussen - Amanda Collin
Moritz Jaspersen - Morten Suurballe
Leif - Set Sjöstrand
Karsten Tork - Henry Lloyd-Hughes
Asbjörn Nielsen - Simon Sears
Ane Jaspersen - Nive Nielse
'Smilla's Sense of Snow' - Episode Guide
Episode 1: After her young neighbor Isaiah dies in a fall, Smilla suspects foul play and begins her own investigation.
Episode 2: Entrepreneur Tork and politician Claussen form a pact. Smilla grows closer to Rahid, Isaiah’s hospital escort.
Episode 3: Unaware of Tork’s interest and Rahid’s secrets, Smilla pushes on. Ravn starts to believe Isaiah was murdered, while Isaiah appears to Smilla in visions.
Episode 4: Accused of murder, Smilla flees with Rahid's help and visits her father — only to find Tork there, planning a Greenland expedition.
Episode 5: Smilla hides aboard the ship to Greenland and reconnects with familiar faces.
Episode 6: The expedition pushes into Greenland’s icy wilderness, where long-buried secrets await.
More from Tom's Guide
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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