Borgen (TV series)

Recently I’ve been able to get the first two seasons of Borgen. I Look forward to see them soon. Stay tuned.

Borgen synopsis season 1

Borgen is a Danish one-hour political thriller TV series about the fight for political power in Denmark today – and about the personal sacrifices and consequences that this fight has for those involved on and behind the political stage.

The central figure is the 40-year old political leader Birgitte Nyborg, who through her idealism and huge effort secures her party a landslide victory and thus faces the biggest challenge of her life: how most effectively to use the newly won seats, and how far she is willing to go in order to gain as much influence as possible. Privately, Birgitte leads a happy family life with her husband and two children. She is a woman with a burning commitment, a big heart and too little time. But will she be able to be a successful and professional top politician and stay true to herself at the same time?

Among the many important people in Birgitte Nyborg’s professional life is her media adviser, Kasper Juul, who is one of the most talented in the business. However, he is also a cynic with no illusions, who needs to start believing in the messages which it is his job to impart.

Another significant character is Katrine Fønsmark: a political journalist working for a large public service television station. Her screen charm and her ability to bring the debate to the viewers’ eye level have quickly earned her popularity and clout, but in her personal life she is rootless and confused.

Borgen has a large gallery of characters and deals with many different aspects in the political, the journalistic, and the private spheres.

The setting is Borgen, the nickname of Christiansborg Palace, which houses all three of Denmark’s branches of government: the Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Supreme Court. The title translates roughly as Government.

 

 

Borgen synopsis season 2

We follow Denmark’s first female Prime Minister, Birgitte Nyborg (Sidse Babett Knudsen); her cynical spin doctor, Kasper Juul (Pilou Asbæk); and the ambitious and idealistic television-journalist Katrine Fønsmark (Birgitte Hjort Sørensen). Their lives are woven together in a complex fabric, as they each face various professional and private challenges.

Birgitte Nyborg has been Denmark’s Prime Minister for two years – years that have taken their toll on her private life. She must now balance her role of PM with that of divorcée and single-mother. Politically, she has succeeded in earning the respect of her political allies as well as enemies, but tensions between parties are mounting. Denmark’s participation in international wars as well as certain central domestic policy issues are driving a wedge through the parliament and forcing Birgitte to make more and more shaky compromises. The building pressure causes her to doubt whether she can maintain both her position and her integrity.

Season 2 finds Katrine Fønsmark working as a star journalist at the Ekspres, where editor-in-chief, Michael Laugesen (Peter Mygind), challenges her journalistic morals and ethics. Katrine finds a friend and professional ally in her former TV1-colleague, Hanne Holm (Benedikte Hansen).

Kasper Juul continues his professional role as spin doctor for Birgitte Nyborg. Privately he is trying to make peace with his inner demons and restrain them from intruding on his relationship with his new girlfriend, Lotte (Rikke Lylloff).

The cast includes:

Mikael Birkkjær / Lars Knutzon / Søren Malling / Peter Mygind / Flemming Sørensen / Lars Brygmann / Ole Thestrup / Bjarne Henriksen / Søren Spanning / Iben Dorner / Jannie Faurschou / Petrine Agger / Dar Salim / Benedikte Hansen /  Thomas Levin / Morten Kirkskov / Lisbeth Wulff / Anders Juul / Signe Egholm Olsen / Freja Riemann / Emil Poulsen Dam /  Rikke Lylloff / Jens Jacob Tychsen / Hanne Hedelund / Olaf Heine Johannessen / Mille Dinesen / Sebastian Jessen / Henrik Birch / Henrik Prip / Hans Henrik Clemensen / Mette Munk Plum / Stina Ekblad

Adam Price is the primary author, assisted by episode authors Tobias Lindholm and Jeppe Gjervig Gram.

The episodes in Season 2 are directed by Jannik Johansen, Jesper W. Nielsen, Louise Friedberg and Mikkel Nørgaard.  Photography: Rasmus Heise, Lars Vestergaard and Magnus Jønck. Production design: Søren Gam is production. Scenography: Knirke Madelung. Composer: Halfdan E. Produced by Camilla Hammerich.