Canneseries is currently underway, and the world premiere of the Norwegian drama “A Better Man,” presented by Beta Film, has been receiving a lot of attention. Marianne Furevold Boland, the head of drama at NRK, is thrilled with the reception the show is receiving. NRK has been on a winning streak at Canneseries, having won eight awards since the festival’s inception in 2018. Notably, “Power Play” won best series in 2023, and “Dumbsday” won best screenplay in 2024. The artistic director of Canneseries even described Norway as the most inventive TV country in the world.
Furevold-Boland, who played a key role in producing the popular NRK series “Skam” and has been leading NRK’s drama department since 2023, attributes the success of Norwegian drama to the country’s exceptional storytellers and high level of craftsmanship. She emphasizes the importance of telling relevant, authentic, and engaging stories that resonate with a global audience while also considering the local audience.
NRK’s drama strategy focuses on strengthening democracy and sparking conversations through storytelling. The recent success of the satire series “Requiem for Selina” is a testament to this approach. Furevold-Boland believes that “A Better Man,” which tackles online harassment, gender roles, and cancel culture, will continue to spark important discussions.
In terms of content, NRK’s drama portfolio covers a wide range of genres, from drama and comedy to youth and kids’ content. Approximately 40% of the content is produced in-house, with the rest being outsourced to independent Norwegian producers. The drama budget for 2025 is around NOK 250 million ($24 million), with a focus on production investments.
Furevold-Boland also emphasizes the importance of co-productions and collaborations with other broadcasters and production companies. While NRK has traditionally maintained a seven-year exclusive first window model, they are exploring new models and partnerships to adapt to the evolving industry landscape.
Looking ahead, NRK has a lineup of exciting shows for 2025 and 2026, including the Sámi-set family dramedy “The Wedding Party,” the hospital drama “Still Breathing,” and the AIDS-focused court drama “Henki.” These shows, along with others like “Holmlia Love” and “Hellerudsvingen 2,” showcase the diversity and creativity of Norwegian storytelling.
Overall, NRK’s commitment to producing high-quality, impactful content continues to solidify Norway’s reputation as a powerhouse in the world of television drama. Canneseries and other international platforms provide the perfect stage for Norwegian talent to shine and for audiences around the world to experience the magic of Norwegian storytelling.
