Based on the Swedish book series by Leif G.W. Persson, "Backstrom" follows Detective Lieutenant Everett Backstrom, an offensive, self-destructive, and brilliant Portland police detective. Banished to the Portland Police Bureau's Special Crimes Unit (SCU) for his offensive behavior, Backstrom leads a team of eccentric investigators while battling his own self-destructive demons, cynicism, and poor health. Despite his deeply flawed personality and politically incorrect worldview, Backstrom possesses a unique knack for understanding the dark motivations of criminals, often solving cases that baffle his colleagues. The series explores complex criminal investigations through Backstrom's distinct lens, while slowly unraveling his complicated personal relationships, including his strained dynamic with civilian analyst Peter Niedermayer and his former fiancée, Amy Gazan. Blending dark comedy with traditional police procedural elements, the show highlights how Backstrom's profound misanthropy ironically allows him to connect with the psychology of the killers and victims he encounters.