Articles about NRK
The hit factory
The winner of three International Emmys in six years, Norwegian broadcaster NRK is pushing a streaming-first strategy for edgy, distinctive scripted series. Head of drama Ivar Køhn tells DQ about its success so far and discusses what’s coming next.
Radical thinking
In Norwegian series Jordbrukerne (Countrymen), four men with suspect plans inadvertently open the country’s first halal dairy. DQ speaks to creators Izer Aliu and Anne Bjørnstad and actor Nader Khademi about the show.
Life story
Norwegian crime drama For Life seeks to upend the traditional police procedural formula with time jumps and different genre styles for each episode, as creator and writer Gjermund S Eriksen and producer Håkon Briseid explain.
Royal rumble
A Norwegian princess and US president build an unlikely friendship during the Second World War in eight-part drama Atlantic Crossing. Stars Sofia Helin, Kyle MacLachlan and director Alexander Eik discuss the real-life relationship at the heart of the story.
Much to Lykke
Norwegian actors Amund Harboe and Malene Wadel discuss taking on their first major roles in Lykkeland (State of Happiness), which dramatises the oil boom in Stavanger in the 1960s and 70s.
Norway’s darkest day
Sara Johnsen, the co-creator and writer of Norwegian drama 22 Juli (July 22), tells DQ about her approach to dramatising the devastating terror attacks that struck Oslo and the island of Utøya on that date in 2011.
Twin too deep
Long before Kristofer Hivju starred in Game of Thrones, he was developing an identity-switch drama with writer and director Kristoffer Metcalfe, a long-time friend. The pair tell DQ about bringing Norwegian series Twin to the screen.
Crossing over
After spending eight years playing detective Saga Norén in The Bridge, Swedish actor Sofia Helin’s next screen role will see her portray a princess fighting for her country during the Second World War. She tells DQ about finding her voice and playing a royal in Atlantic Crossing.
Love is Blind
Finnish comedy-drama Blind Donna sees its titular character embark on a search for love, and nothing – not even her blindness – will stop her. Its producer and screenwriters tell DQ about the “risky business” of marrying comedy and disability.
Boom town
Norwegian period drama Lykkeland (State of Happiness) dramatises the true story of the country’s oil boom in 1969. Writer Mette B Bølstad and executive producer Synnøve Hørsdal tell DQ about the origins of the series and how they avoided it becoming a history lesson.
Home advantage
Former professional footballer John Carew teams up with Ane Dahl Torp to star in Norwegian drama Heimebane (Home Ground). They join the creative team behind the project to discuss the series, which centres on an ambitious female coach breaking into the men’s game.
Stars on show
Television held its own at one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world as an array of talent and some stunning new shows landed in Germany for Berlinale’s fourth annual Drama Series Days. DQ was in town to find out more.
Fact file: Monster
Norwegian drama Monster takes the hunt for a serial killer to the northernmost part of the country. Producer Lasse Greve Alsos tells DQ six things we need to know about the show, which is produced by broadcaster NRK and distributed by DRG.
Changing shades of noir
Ten years after Forbrydelsen (The Killing) first aired and with the final season of Bron/Broen (The Bridge) starting next month, Nordic crime drama has dominated the international landscape for a decade. But what does the future hold for the genre and where will those who make it go next?
Down with the kids
While some say young people are no longer watching TV, the global success of series like Riverdale and Pretty Little Liars has turned that theory on its head. DQ explores how series are driving youth audiences back to the box.
Match maker
Having already enjoyed life as short film and a kids’ TV show, the idea behind Martin Lund’s comedy drama Match has now evolved into a “grown-up” series. DQ chats to the writer, director and actor about finding the balance between high stakes and humour in a 15-minute running time.
Under doctor’s orders
Actor Pål Sverre Hagen and writer/director Erik Richter Strand tell DQ what drew them to Norwegian drama Valkyrien, which follows a doctor trying to save his dying wife — while everyone else believes she is dead.
Going underground
Norway’s NRK is blending medical drama with thriller in Valkyrien, which sees a doctor fighting to save his dying wife beneath the streets of Oslo. DQ catches up with writer/director Erik Richter Strand.
Our friends in the frozen north
As Nordic drama continues to thrive, this week we look at some of the shows making headlines both within the region and beyond.
Norway feels Shame
Norwegian public broadcaster NRK is making strides reaching young audiences with a host of online dramas. As part of DQ’s Digital Drama Season, Julie Andem tells Michael Pickard how Shame (aka Skam) is reaching out to teenage viewers.