When I first spotted Barracuda Queens on my Netflix feed, I assumed it was pure escapism—glitzy villas, champagne-fuelled antics, and a dash of crime thriller. But it turns out the show’s flashy heists have roots in a real scandal that shook Sweden’s elite in the late 1990s. Here’s how fiction and fact intertwine in this glamorous, thrilling ride.
The real-life crime that inspired Barracuda Queens
In the late ’90s, Stockholm’s wealthiest suburbs—Lidingö, Djursholm, Östermalm, and Danderyd—were targeted by a group later dubbed the “Lidingö Gang.” They carried out over 50 cat burglaries, stealing priceless art, rare wines, and antiques from high-society homes. According to the Swedish Police Authority, the total heist haul topped £20 million, making it one of the country’s most audacious crime sprees.
Who were the actual members of the Lidingö Gang?
Contrary to the Netflix series’ quartet of privileged young women, the original gang was an all-male crew of around six individuals from affluent backgrounds. They operated without violence, leaving empty champagne flutes at the scene—a signature touch as theatrical as any Hollywood film. It took years of painstaking police work before key members were arrested around 2000, with the alleged ringleader receiving a four-and-a-half-year sentence for theft, fraud, and weapons offenses.
Netflix’s creative liberties: what changed?
To inject fresh energy into this true-crime tale, the showrunners flipped the script—literally—by recasting the thieves as a reckless sisterhood of bored heiresses. This gender swap offers a social satire on privilege, exploring how wealth and entitlement can blind you to real consequences. The series also leans into pop-art aesthetics and dark humor, whereas the real Lidingö Gang’s story was a straight-up criminal saga with heavy legal repercussions.
Fact, fiction, and flair
While Barracuda Queens takes liberties with characters and tone, its core inspiration—the brazen burglaries that rattled Sweden’s upper crust—remains intact. By blending real-world scandal with stylish storytelling, Netflix delivers a rollercoaster that’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Whether you’re drawn to its commentary on class or simply love a glossy crime drama, knowing the true backstory makes each champagne toast look that much more daring.
