HBO orders first Norwegian original

Lilyhammer was Netflix’s first original series

HBO Nordic has greenlit its first original Norwegian series, created by the screenwriting duo behind Netflix original Lilyhammer.

Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin’s Beforeigners (6×45), which is being produced by Endemol Shine Group’s Nordic prodco Rubicon TV, revolves around mysterious flashes in the sea that result in people emerging from the Stone Age, the Viking era and the late 19th century.

The show, described as as “playful, funny crime story,” will star Nicolai Cleve Broch (Acquitted) and Krista Kosonen (Blade Runner 2049).

The order marks the second original production from HBO Nordic, a division of HBO Europe, following Lukas Moodysson’s comedy series Gösta, which recently finished filming in Sweden.

The series is being directed by Jens Lien (Jonny Vang), with Hanne Palmquist, commissioning editor & VP original programming for HBO Nordic, and Antony Root, exec VP original programming and production at HBO Europe, attached as exec producers alongside Steve Matthews.

Palmquist said: “Beforeigners is a highly original and entertaining near-future satire, set in a recognisable and yet transformed society where coexistence is a whole new ball game. I’m very proud that it’s our first Norwegian series. It’s funny, edgy and thought-provoking – a true HBO title.”

Root added: “Beforeigners represents exactly the kind of series we want to commission: bold, smart, author-driven and with a distinctiveness that makes it a perfect fit for HBO.”

Beforeigners will premiere exclusively on HBO Nordic and across HBO Europe territories, and on HBO GO and Now in the US.