Netflix’s ‘Secrets We Keep’ Ending, Explained: Did Katarina Do It?

Nordic miniseries are slowly but surely gaining momentum to take over Netflix, as they are popular all around the world. Due to the positive reception of Nordic noir, Netflix has released a new Danish mystery thriller series, Secret We Keep. Created by filmmaker and actress Ingeborg Topsøe, the six-episode series is an unexpectedly intense journey to uncover the fate of a missing au pair from a wealthy suburb in Copenhagen. Cecilie is at the center of the story, as she is trying to tirelessly find out how her friend and neighbor’s au pair mysteriously went missing. Strange circumstances cause a rift between the two women, and the series takes darker and darker turns.

Even when the final episode of the trending Netflix series is finally reached, nothing is resolved — a chilling conversation erases all the other theories. So, let’s take a closer look at the ending of Netflix’s Secrets We Keep, because some of the characters really are keeping some shocking secrets.

What Happened to Ruby in ‘Secrets We Keep’?

The search for Ruby is at the center of the story throughout the crime miniseries, but when her body is found, the case changes from finding a missing person to discovering whether Ruby has decided to end her life or whether a potential killer is on the loose. It was revealed that Ruby was expecting a child, and the father was the neighbor, Oscar. In reality, though, Oscar sexually abused his au pair. To his luck, the video proof of it was destroyed by his mother. Because of this, the authorities concluded that Ruby was overwhelmed by the fact that she was carrying a child while having a fiancé back at home, and she made the decision to end her life.

Of course, Secrets We Keep wouldn’t be one of the best Nordic noir series if it weren’t for a massively shocking twist right at the end, which turns the whole narrative in a new direction. An eerie conversation between Cecilie and her friend and Oscar’s mother, Katarina, just before the end of the series’ final episode brings back the theory that someone killed Ruby. And not just someone, but Katarina herself.

She reveals to Cecilie that her husband and son were practically helpless without her, and she had to solve their problem behind their back. The problem refers to Oscar assaulting Ruby, filming himself during the crime, and impregnating the au pair in the process. Netflix’s Nordic murder mystery series shows that, in Katarina’s mind, Ruby is not the one who needs saving, but Oscar is. During Cecilie and Katarina’s conversation, it becomes clear that the mother and wife would do whatever it takes to protect her son and her family’s image. During the chilling talk, the two women were in Katarina’s backyard, standing right by the seashore. This is another hint, because Ruby drowned in the very same waters.

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Seeing that Katarina strongly suggested that she was the one who killed Ruby and justified it by saying she had to protect her family, Cecilie might ask Viggo to speak out in court after all. Even though the video proof of Oscar abusing Ruby disappeared, and it’s only Viggo’s word against Oscar’s, it might still make a difference. In particular, because Cecilie could also reveal now what Katarina told her. Throughout the entire series, with a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Cecilie is driven to do what is right and find justice for Ruby, since she failed to help her when she asked for it. She is filled with guilt and is dedicated to making things right.

It seems unlikely that Cecilia would let Katarina, Rasmus, and Oscar get away with covering up the abuse and the murder. However, going against her wealthy neighbors could put Cecilia and her family in tremendous danger. Not only did Oscar already threaten to kill Viggo should he tell anyone about the sickening video, but Katarina is also clearly willing to kill and doesn’t even show any remorse. After punching the boys’ teacher in front of a group of people and acting as though it was her right to do it, there is likely no boundary when it comes to Cecilie.

What Happened to Oscar in ‘Secrets We Keep’?

Cecilie’s lawyer husband, Mike, had the case against Oscar disappear, even though he definitely committed a vile crime. Since the police didn’t find any incriminating footage apart from the boys sending inappropriate and sexualizing videos of naked women to each other in a group chat, Mike pointed out that there was nothing the police could charge Oscar with — bringing to mind Netflix’s historical record-breaking crime series, Adolescence. Rasmus even pointed out that, if someone tried to come after his son, he would ensure that Ruby would be seen as the perpetrator and suggested that she was seeking a relationship with a minor. Rasmus presented his son as a victim, and Mike confirmed that a trial could potentially go in this direction.

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Rasmus decided to take Oscar out of his old school to avoid harassment and rumors and give him a fresh start. Oscar is expected to attend a boarding school, which leaves Katarina relatively alone in their huge home, since Rasmus works extensive hours and makes his wife responsible for Oscar’s behavior. Even though Oscar will be off to boarding school, there is still a chance that he will be brought back for an intense trial if Viggo and Cecilie decide to speak up. His return would equal one step closer to justice, but it would also mean much more danger for Viggo and Cecilie. This could potentially be explored in a potential second season of Secrets We Keep, but until then, whether Ruby’s killer will be brought to justice or not remains to be seen.

Secrets We Keep is available to stream on Netflix.