We don't have much time to watch television nowadays, so when my husband suggested that we spent our Saturday evenings watching a subtitled Danish series about politics, I have to admit I was less than impressed. Even the fact that it was from the producers of The Killing, to which we came very late, didn't convince me.
But I couldn't have been more wrong. Borgen, about a newly elected female Prime Minister trying to hold together a fragile coalition government as well as family life, quickly became must-see viewing. It focused on the worlds of both politicians and journalists, linked by the Prime Minister's spin doctor. There were strong and believable female roles on both sides of the fence but for me Sidse Babett Knudsen, who played Birgitte Nyborg, the Prime Minister, stood out. An actress who can portray so much through just subtle facial expressions, she managed to balance the strengths and vulnerability of her character to great effect.
Borgen has been perhaps a surprise hit, but all ten episodes are currently still available on BBC iPlayer, at least until Saturday. Along with Sherlock, it has provided some quality viewing at the start of the year, so I was pleased to find out that a second series has just been bought by the BBC and a third is being filmed.
3 comments:
I've not come across Borgen. I loved The Killing though, what a great series.
I've never heard of this either, but it's a pleasure to find something worth watching on television these days!
CJ x
I think Borgen was off the radar for most people because it was hidden away on BBC Four, double episodes on a Saturday evening. My husband must have read something about it I think, because I hadn't heard of it either.
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