When polite society fails, young Finns choose explosives over etiquette.
52 minSeason 1 • Episode 3
LatestSchoolchildren's secret society gets out of hand and patriotic play becomes real. Arvi Nikolainen faces difficult choices.
The Activists follows the years from 1899 to 1906 when Finland as an independent nation started to form. At the center stage are young restless souls who operate against the backdrop of the phenomena of the time: deep social divisions, political intrigue, fierce proclamations and people’s movements that get out of control. Activists portrays what happens when people lose faith in society’s capability to deal with conflict.
Production
Period detail so precise you can smell the unrest.
Acting
Elmer Bäck's simmering radical energy steals every scene.
Creators
Lauri Maijala, Erik Söderblom
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The series dramatizes Finland's 'Years of Oppression' under Russian Governor-General Bobrikov, whose real 1904 assassination by Finnish nationalist Eugen Schauman is echoed in the show's radicalization arc.
Released during Finland's 2019 parliamentary elections, the series sparked debate about whether its young radicals were heroes or terrorists—proving 120-year-old politics still enrage.
FI
