Winter 2019. What so many people predicted on numerous occasions, becomes a reality when the Belgian power grid suddenly collapses.
The nationwide blackout is a result of the sabotage of a reactor at the Westerdonk nuclear power plant.
Who’s behind it all? And why? That’s what Michael Dendoncker (Geert Van Rampelberg), head of department at the DA3 anti-terrorism unit is trying to find out.
Michael has another good reason to investigate the incident. Just moments before the blackout Belgium’s Prime Minister Annemie Hillebrand (Sara de Roo), received a video clip of her daughter Elke being held bound and gagged at an unknown location.
The message included: ‘When the light turns back on, your daughter dies.’
Annemie is torn between her sense of duty and the love for her daughter. Because of the blackout, eleven million people are stuck without electricity, without light and water, without heating. As a Prime Minister, she is responsible for their wellbeing.
But pushed by her husband Herman, Annemie decides to prolong the blackout. Meanwhile Michael investigates the abduction of Elke in a country without electricity.
An investigation he keeps a secret from his own team. At the same time, he leads that very team in the hunt for those responsible for the sabotage at the nuclear power plant.
Blackout is a series filled with tension and mystery. At the same time, it confronts us all with such themes as ecology, sustainability, and national security.
In Flemish with English subtitles.
Blackout is an SBS On Demand exclusive.