City of Shadows Netflix Series: Watch or Skip? Viewer’s Guide to the Spanish Crime Thriller

A new Spanish crime thriller has arrived on Netflix. City of Shadows is a six-part series set in Barcelona, featuring a troubled detective and a shocking murder tied to the city’s famous architecture. The show debuted on December 12, 2025, and is now available for streaming worldwide. If you enjoy slow-burning European mysteries with strong character performances, this might be your next watch. If you prefer fast-paced action and entirely new concepts, you may want to look elsewhere.

The Premise: A Ritual Murder in Barcelona

The story begins with a brutal and public killing. A wealthy construction CEO is found burned to death, hanging from the balcony of La Pedrera – Casa Milà, one of architect Antoni Gaudí’s most iconic buildings in Barcelona. The murder is recorded, suggesting a ritualistic motive.

To investigate, a suspended detective is brought back to work. Inspector Milo Malart (played by Isak Férriz) was disciplined for assaulting a colleague and is dealing with personal trauma. He is partnered with Deputy Inspector Rebeca Garrido (played by Verónica Echegui), who has been brought in from Madrid. Together, they must navigate distrust from their colleagues and superiors while uncovering why Barcelona’s historic landmarks are central to the crimes.

What Critics and Viewers Are Saying

Reactions to the series highlight its strengths in performance and atmosphere, but note it follows familiar genre patterns.

• The Performances Are a Major Strength: The chemistry between the two lead actors is frequently praised. Isak Férriz portrays Milo with a quiet, burdened intensity. Verónica Echegui’s performance as the sharp, grounded Rebeca is noted as a highlight and serves as a final role for the actress, who passed away in August 2025. The series includes a dedication to her at the end of the first episode.
• Barcelona is a Central Character: The show makes extensive use of its location. Filming took place across Catalonia, with Barcelona’s architecture—particularly Gaudí’s works—playing a key role in the story’s mood and symbolism. One review states, “the city of Barcelona itself virtually becomes a character within the story”.
• A Familiar Detective Formula: Some reviews point out that the core setup feels well-worn. It features a detective with personal demons, a reluctant partner, and colleagues who obstruct the investigation. One critic said the show is “decent enough but doesn’t distinguish itself by offering viewers much that they haven’t seen a number of times before”.
• Pacing and Ambition: The series adopts a slow-burn pace, focusing on character psychology and social themes like institutional corruption and trauma. Some critics feel the six-episode season tries to tackle too many complex issues—from capitalism to abuse—without giving each enough depth.

Complete Release and Cast Information

City of Shadows is a Netflix Original series adapted from the first novel in Aro Sáinz de la Maza’s “Milo Malart” book series. All six episodes, each roughly 50 minutes long, were released at once on December 12, 2025.

Key Cast Members:

• Isak Férriz as Inspector Milo Malart.
• Verónica Echegui as Deputy Inspector Rebeca Garrido.
• Ana Wagener as Judge Susana Cabrera.
• Manolo Solo and Jordi Ballester in supporting roles.

The series is directed by Jorge Torregrossa (known for Burning Body) and written by Torregrossa alongside Carlos López and Clara Esparrach.

Who Should Watch City of Shadows?

This guide can help you decide if the series fits your taste.

You Should Stream It If:

• You enjoy methodical, character-driven police procedurals from Europe.
• Strong performances and actor chemistry are a main draw for you.
• You appreciate shows that use their location as a key part of the story and atmosphere.
• You are looking for a straightforward, bingeable thriller without overly complex twists.

You Might Want to Skip It If:

• You prefer crime shows with fast action, chases, and constant plot momentum.
• You are tired of the “troubled detective with a past” trope and want more innovative storytelling.
• You seek a truly mind-bending mystery with shocking reveals; the conclusion here is noted to be more tragic and human-driven than twist-focused.

Also Read: Tracker Season 3 Cast Update: Kathleen Robertson and Mark Engelhardt Join the Action

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