From zombie apocalypses to asteroid impacts, the disaster genre has always captivated audiences with its high stakes and thrilling scenarios. Now, a new Netflix series is adding its own twist to the genre, with a gripping story centered around a volcanic eruption on the Canary Islands that threatens to alter the course of the world.
Already climbing Netflix’s Top 10 charts in the UK, La Palma has captivated viewers, with one fan writing, “The most nerve-wracking four episodes I’ve ever binged. Incredible!” Another viewer adds, “An ecological nightmare brought to life with stunning visuals and raw emotion.” A third notes, “I didn’t expect to be this hooked. The stakes feel so real,” while a fourth says, “A perfect mix of science and suspense. Netflix really outdid itself this time.” One viewer even suggests, “It feels like a warning disguised as entertainment.”
La Palma tells the story of a family visiting the Canary Islands for a holiday, where their peaceful Christmas is interrupted by unsettling volcanic activity. As a young scientist uncovers signs of an impending eruption at the Cumbre Vieja volcano, the family must fight for survival amidst ash, gas, and lava. The plot takes a dramatic turn when the eruption threatens to collapse a massive chunk of land into the ocean, potentially causing a tsunami that could devastate coastlines across the Atlantic.
The show stands out by grounding its premise in real scientific theory. The series is inspired by a 2001 hypothesis by Steven N. Ward and Simon Day, which suggested that a volcanic collapse at Cumbre Vieja could trigger a “mega-tsunami.” However, more recent studies, including one from the United States Geological Survey in 2021, have questioned this scenario, arguing that such collapses are more gradual than the catastrophic event depicted in the show. Cumbre Vieja’s most recent eruption in 2021, while destructive, did not lead to the catastrophic chain of events imagined in the series.
La Palma is created by Martin Sundland (The Quake), Lars Gudmestad (Headhunters), and Harald Rosenløw Eeg (The Wave), with direction by Kasper Barfoed (The Nurse). The series stars Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, and Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, and is co-written by Gudmestad and Rosenløw Eeg. With its blend of intense suspense and scientific speculation, the show has struck a chord with audiences, leaving many eagerly awaiting what comes next.
