12 Norwegian TV series to watch

Since the beginning of the lockdown, many of us have found solace in binge-watching TV series on Netflix. Being a Scandiphile, I watched all Norwegian TV series I could find on the American network and some other TV and streaming services available in the UK. 

This was not the first time I watched Scandinavian TV series. In fact, I had been well acquainted with the Danish ‘landmarks’ ‘The Bridge’ (‘Bron/Broen’) (actually a Danish-Swedish co-production), ‘The Killing’ (‘Forbrydelsen’), and ‘Borgen’. Then, a few years ago, I came across more Nordic Noir drama on Channel Four, including two Norwegian TV series that I absolutely loved: ‘Acquitted’ (‘Frikjent’) and Eyewitness (Øyevitne).

Almost three months into the lockdown, I have now watched a total of 12 Norwegian TV series, which I will briefly discuss today. One distinguishing feature that they all have in common is the protagonist role of the magnificent Norwegian landscapes.

Acquitted (Frikjent)

A crime drama set in the fictional village of Lifjord and filmed in the municipality of Årdalstangen, in Vestland county, ’Acquitted’ is the first Norwegian TV series I’ve ever watched (on Channel 4).  The title refers to the protagonist, a successful businessman who had once been convicted and subsequently acquitted of murder. When he returns to his hometown 20 years later, the case remains unsolved. The first season has 10 episodes, whereas the second season has 8 episodes. Unfortunately, only the second season is currently available to watch on Channel Four.

Eyewitness (Øyevitne)

I watched this crime drama on Channel Four a few years ago; all 6 episodes are now available on Netflix. Two teenage boys, secretly in love, meet up in a forest, only to witness a blood bath. The story takes place in Mysen in the municipality of Eidsberg, in the Østfold county.

An American remake, which I am yet to watch, was released in 2016.

Wisting

I first came across the homicide detective William Wisting a few years ago, when I read Jørn Lier Horst’s crime novel ‘Closed for Winter’ (‘Vinterstengt’). This was the Norwegian author’s second book to be translated into English, but the seventh in the William Wisting series. 

The Norwegian TV series ‘Wisting’ is based on the subsequent novels by Horst. In episodes 1-5, which are based on ‘The Caveman’ (‘Hulemannen’), the detective heads a murder investigation with FBI collaboration, chasing a serial killer who had escaped from the US to Norway. In episodes 6-10, which are based on ‘The Hunting Dogs (‘Jakthundene’), Wisting faces accusations of tampering with evidence in an old murder case, raising questions about the innocence of the person convicted. Both stories take place in Larvik, a coastal town southwest of Oslo. ’Wisting’ holds the record of the most expensive TV drama series produced in Norway. I watched it on BBC earlier this year; it is currently available to watch on the BBC i-player.

Twin

Also available on the BBC i-player is ‘Twin’. It follows the story of two estranged identical twins. When Adam accidentally dies, Eric takes over his identity to protect Adam’s wife from being accused of her husband’s murder. The story, unfolding over 8 episodes, is set against the backdrop of the magnificent Lofoten islands.

State of Happiness (Lykkeland)

There’s more to Nordic than Noir. So, let’s now travel back in time, to the late 1960s and the early 1970s, when an oil field was discovered off the Norwegian coast, near Stavanger. The once poverty-stricken coastal town would soon become the country’s old capital. ‘State of Happiness’ is a drama exploring the beginnings of the petroleum industry in Norway, as well as the personal stories of the protagonists. When the American oil companies arrive and as the political tensions rise, personal dramas start unfolding. All 8 episodes are currently available on the BBC i-player.

Occupied (Okkupert)

Based on an idea by Jo Nesbø (who’s among the executive producers), ‘Occupied’ is the most expensive Norwegian production. It is set in the near future, when the Norwegian government has decide to tackle the climate change by stopping the country’s oil and gas production. As a result, Norway is occupied by Russia, supported by the EU. All 3 seasons (24 episodes in total) are available on Netflix. So far, I have only watched the first season (10 episodes), and I’m looking forward to watch the rest.

Borderliner (Grenseland)

Set near the Swedish border, ‘Borderliner’ starts with a man found hanging in the woods. A murder investigation, police corruption and drug trafficking are all part of a binge-worthy story full of plot twists and reminiscent of Jo Nesbø’s novels. All 8 episodes are available on Netflix.

Young and Promising (Unge Lovende)

Let’s now come back to the Norwegian capital and to Channel Four. ‘Young and Promising’ is set in Oslo and follows three young ambitious women going through relationship and career up and downs. There are four seasons, each consisting of six 30 to 40-minute-long episodes. The third season is currently available on Channel Four.

Mammon

‘Mammon’ is a political thriller also taking place in Oslo. In the first season (6 episodes), a journalist investigates a financial scandal, and stumbles across family secrets. The second season (8 episodes) opens up with the murder of another journalist and culminates in a political scandal and international espionage. The second season is currently available on Channel Four.

The River (Elven)

Let’s now go all the way to Northern Norway, near the borders with Finland and Russia. A little girl finds a severed hand in a river, and soon afterwards is found dead in a military camp. A police detective determined to uncover the truth, stumbles across the airplane crash that killed his parents. Partially filmed in Tromsø, and set above the Arctic Circle, ’The River’ is one of the most atmospheric TV series in my list. All 8 episodes are currently available on Channel Four.

Home for Christmas (Hjem til jul)

This romantic drama-comedy series is Netflix’s first Norwegian-language TV series and consists of 6 half-hour episodes. The story takes place in the days leading up to Christmas; a young woman has 24 days to find a boyfriend to present to her family on Christmas Eve.

Ragnarok

This is a brand new Norwegian TV series, released on Netflix earlier this year. Inspired by Norse mythology, ‘Ragnarok’ is a fantasy drama series about a teenage boy who moves to the fictional town of Edda only to discover that he is the embodiment of Thor. Perhaps my least favorite of all the Norwegian TV series I’ve watched so far (I’m not a huge fan of superhero fantasies), ’Ragnarok’ was filmed in Odda, in the Hordaland county. The first season has 6 episodes; the series, however, has been renewed for a second season due in 2021. Even though I did not enjoy ‘Ragnarok’ as much as the other TV series in this list, I really enjoyed the soundtrack (available on Spotify).

Further reading:

For suggestions on films from Norway and the other Scandinavian and Nordic countries, follow me on ‘a cinematic journey to the Nordic countries’.

If you love Nordic Noir but you’re more of a bibliophile than a cinephile, then check out my post ‘Crime & Fjords: 9 Scandinavian writers you should read‘.

And, if you’re planning a trip to Norway, then check out this suggested 9-day itinerary: ‘Fjords & Jazz: Explore Norway in 9 days‘.

Stay at home, stay well and stay safe!

Alex

(the London-based Traveling Psychiatrist)