Lilyhammer: Netflix ~ Non-Spoiler Review

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🇳🇴 🇺🇸 LILYHAMMER 🇺🇸🇳🇴

Lilyhammer (2012-14) ~ Netflix S1-3 ~ each season 8 episodes x 43-48’ English, Norwegian with subtitles

Lilyhammer is a Norwegian-American co-production. The show was created by Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin, and written by them along with Steven Van Zandt (The Sopranos & Bruce Springsteen’s E Street band). S1 premiered January 2012 on the channel NRK1 with a record 1/5th of Norway’s population watching. It premiered on Netflix in North America in February 2012 with all 8 episodes available to stream. Lilyhammer was promoted as “the first time Netflix offered exclusive content”.

The Name:

The spelling of the series title alludes to Tagliano’s dog Lily that was killed in the first episode during an attempt on his life, and the way that Frank and some other anglophones pronounce the town’s name.

Premise:

The show’s premise is that Frank Tagliano (Van Zandt) a former New York gangster, testifies against his Mafia boss. When things get ugly, he heads to Lillehammer, Norway, in order to protect himself.

Cast:

Steven Van Zandt ~ Frank Tagliano

Trond Fausa Aurvåg ~ Torgeir Lien

Steinar Sagen ~ Roar Lien

Marian Saastad Ottesen ~ Sigrid Haugli

Fridtjov Såheim ~ Jan Johansen

Anne Krigsvoll ~ Laila Hovland

Music ~ According to Rolling Stone magazine, Van Zandt is responsible for most of the show’s musical soundtrack. “I did the whole score myself for free. I did it from my own studio.”

Since Lilyhammer first aired many of the Norwegian actors will be more recognised outside of the Nordic region. There are faces very familiar to those who have watched Norsemen (Trond Fausa Aurvåg, Marian Saastad Ottesen) Ragnarok (Fridtjov Såheim) and Mammon (Anne Krigsvoll).

Lilyhammer was cancelled by Netflix after 3 seasons. Personally I loved it. It is beautiful to look at (the locations are fabulous, both in Norway and elsewhere) and is absolutely hilarious. This is one of those TV shows which has made me cry with laughter and I will never, ever, forget the scene on the ski jump! Or the leg tag! It is iolent and sweary, so if that is not your cup of tea… best not. One of those shows to watch if you want to have a good laugh. (I still wish it hadn’t been canned).

Netflix trailers for Lilyhammer:

Season 1 ~ https://youtu.be/wVLP1H7DyS8

Season 2 ~ https://youtu.be/W4B3gAkb1fg

Season 3 ~ https://youtu.be/lfMoMPqi8KU

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Other Links:

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