I’ve been meaning to share the best Norwegian TV shows on here for a while, but somehow this article has continuously been moved to the back of my mind (aka drafts folder). However, a new TV series just came out this weekend, and a former Adventures by Disney guest texted me from New York about it! I didn’t realise the shows were making it to the US so quickly, but it was just the inspiration I needed for this article.
The show in question was Milliardærøya (Billionaire Island), which I have included in the list below, of course.
In this article I share my favorite Norwegian TV Shows and series. Whether you are planning a trip to Norway and want some inspiration before you go, or you’re just back from a trip and miss the scenery here (I can’t blame you), I hope you’ll find something to add to your streaming queue.
Some of these shows can be seen using a VPN – I personally use ExpressVPN when traveling!
Table of Contents
6 Norwegian TV Shows for your Streaming Queue
The shows below all have 1 important thing in common: they are Norwegian. As in, they were made in Norway, they speak Norwegian on the show, and they are (primarily) set in Norway too.
Therefore, I have not included TV shows made in English that are set in Norway or Scandinavia, such as Vikings.
Without further ado, I give you the best TV shows from Norway (in my opinion).
#1 Billionaire Island
First I had to include the show that prompted me to finally finish and publish this post.
Billionaire Island gives off Succession vibes, only it’s set in Norway’s salmon industry. This multi billion dollar industry is the perfect setting for a show like this, as some of Norway’s wealthiest people made their money that way.
As Netflix says themselves, “Billionaire Island is a drama portraying the rivalry between two families, pitting old traditions against new ambitions”. In short, the show follows Julie Lange, the matriarch of a wealthy family running one of two competing companies in the salmon industry, as she navigates boardrooms and shares to try to become the biggest salmon producer in the world.
Additionally, through other cast members (such as Julie’s three children), we get a handfull of teenage drama, quarter life crises and anxiety about living up to filling mom’s shoes one day.
This show is perfect for those that like boardroom conflict, hostile takeovers and watching wealthy people be unlikeable.
Watch on: Netflix
#2 EXIT
Speaking of wealthy people being unlikeable. The men in this show are downright disgusting, yet you won’t be able to look away.
I have to say, EXIT is perhaps the best TV show to have ever been made in Norway, in my opinion. The fact that it was produced by NRK, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (aka our tax-funded TV channel) is insane to me, considering that NRK usually is rather family friendly.
The name of the show refers to the concept of being so wealthy that you have “Exit money”. So much money that you can just make an exit and live off it for the rest of your life. And the main characters, 4 men in Oslo’s financial elite, sure have this amount of money.
EXIT is actually based on real events and people, and came about after the creators of the show spent weeks interviewing 4 men from Oslo’s financial industry – anonymously, of course.
The show follows the 4 antagonists in their daily life, including their horrendous treatments of their wives and families, their drug-induced parties and the secret deals made in the million dollar range on the daily.
If you enjoyed the shocking nature of the Wolf of Wall Street, you’ll definitely enjoy this.
Watch on: NRK (original, VPN needed) / Prime Video / Apple TV
#3 Home for Christmas
I’ve mentioned Norway’s obsession with televised Advent calendars, and this show, in my guide to Norwegian Christmas traditions. But regardless of whether you’re visiting Norway during the holidays or staying at home, you’ll get in the Christmas spirit when watching this show.
Home for Christmas (originally Hjem til Jul) is a Netflix show filmed in picturesque Røros, a stunning winter town with wooden buildings that looks straight out of a Hallmark movie.
The show’s now 2 seasons centres around Johanne, who’s a single adult visiting her family home in the weeks leading up to Christmas. On a whim (or out of frustration) she announces that she has a boyfriend – even though that’s far from the truth.
Then starts a race against time to land a boyfriend by Christmas, since she’s already promised to bring him home for Christmas.
It’s a charming and heartwarming show, perfect for those who loved the Holiday and Love, Actually.
Watch on: Netflix
#4 Pørni / Pernille
“Pernille” is a widely acclaimed Norwegian TV show that has captured the hearts of viewers in Norway. The award-winning series follows the life of Pernille, affectionately known as Pørni, a single mother who navigates the challenges of caring for her family while also tending to her sick father.
Combining elements of humor, cringe-worthy moments, and deep emotional exploration, “Pernille” offers a compelling and multifaceted viewing experience that resonates with audiences seeking a blend of entertainment and depth.
The Norwegian title of the show is actually Pørni, Pernille’s nickname, and people were quite outraged that they changed the name of the show for international audiences.
Watch on: Viaplay (original, VPN needed) / Prime Video / Netflix
#5 Skam
I feel genuinely bad for everyone who wasn’t a Norwegian teenager or young adult between 2015 and 2017. These were the years Skam was being released, and it was actually groundbreaking.
The show became iconic not just because of the topic and genre (teenage struggles and high school dramas), but because of the medium used to air it. Without any promotion, the Skam website popped up overnight, alongside social media channels and profiles belonging to the characters on the show.
During the week, actual scenes and clips from the show was released on the website, seemingly “live” from their high school. Myself, like most other Norwegians whilst the show was airing, would check the website several times a day to look for more clips and social media posts (also live).
I don’t know of any other show that has had such an innovative way of airing, and it truly made Skam the phenomenon it is. At the end of each week, they would gather up all the clips into one episode.
The show handled serious topics ranging from eating disorders, bullying, sexual abuse, religious issues and sexual awakenings. Each season focused on a different character in the friend group, each with their own issues and struggles.
I couldn’t recommend this show enough. If you are a fan of Ginny & Georgia, Gossip Girl and similar high school focused shows, add Skam to your list now!
They even made American, French and Dutch remakes of the show, all titled Skam (which means shame in Norwegian)!
Watch on: NRK (original, VPN needed) / DailyMotion
Honorable Mentions
Norwegian TV shows offer a unique glimpse into the country’s culture and storytelling. From captivating dramas to intriguing crime series, Norway’s TV industry has slowly started to gain recognition worldwide, as seen above.
Now that I’ve shared my top TV series from Norway, I’ll briefly mention a few other shows worth being aware of.
One that I always mention and recommend is Lilyhammer, a blend of crime, comedy, and drama following an ex-New York gangster in a Norwegian witness protection program. It was actually created by and stars Steven van Zandt!
Another one worth mentioning is Rådebank. This is a coming-of-age series set in Oslo’s suburbs, and ideal for those that want something else to watch after Skam.
Beforegneirs is HBO Nordic’s first original series from Norway, and is a fantasy series where people from the past (we’re talking Viking age and beyond) start appearing in today’s Oslo, and the aftermath of this.
Final Thoughts
These shows not only entertain but also provide an authentic portrayal of Norwegian life, making them must-watches for fans of Nordic cinema.
Of course, there are more shows from Norway that could be added to the list, but these are some of my favorites! Have you seen any recently that you’ve enjoyed? Please leave your recommendations in a comment below!
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