Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Borgen, which stands as one of the most intelligent and compelling political dramas ever created for television.
Premiering in Denmark in 2010 and concluding in 2022, Borgen ran for four seasons with a total of 38 episodes, each approximately 58 minutes long. Now available on Netflix, this Danish political masterpiece was created by Adam Price and tells the story of Birgitte Nyborg, who becomes Denmark’s first female Prime Minister against all odds. The series ran for three seasons from 2010-2013, then returned nine years later with a fourth season titled “Power & Glory” in collaboration with Netflix. Borgen masterfully weaves together the personal and political lives of its characters, exploring the complex machinery of modern democracy through the lens of Danish politics.
The series operates as both an intimate character study and a sophisticated examination of political power dynamics. Borgen doesn’t shy away from the moral compromises, backroom deals, and personal sacrifices that define political life. Instead, it presents politics as a deeply human endeavor, where idealism constantly battles pragmatism, and where personal relationships become both weapons and casualties in the pursuit of power.
What sets Borgen apart from other political dramas is its commitment to authenticity and nuance. The series treats its audience with intelligence, refusing to simplify complex political issues or reduce characters to simple archetypes.
The Rise of Denmark’s First Female Prime Minister
The central narrative follows Birgitte Nyborg, leader of the centrist Moderate Party, who unexpectedly becomes Prime Minister after a shocking election result. Borgen doesn’t focus on the campaign but rather on the aftermath – how Birgitte navigates coalition building, policy implementation, and the constant tension between political necessity and personal values. The series explores the unique challenges faced by a female leader in a male-dominated political landscape, while never reducing Birgitte’s story to simple gender politics.
The show examines how power changes people, even those who enter politics with the best intentions. Borgen presents democracy as a messy, complicated process where good intentions often collide with harsh realities, and where every decision carries unforeseen consequences.
Birgitte Nyborg: Power’s Double-Edged Sword
Sidse Babett Knudsen delivers a tour-de-force performance as Birgitte Nyborg throughout all four seasons. Her portrayal of Denmark’s first female Prime Minister is both inspiring and deeply human, showing a woman who must constantly balance her political ambitions with her role as wife and mother. Knudsen captures Birgitte’s evolution from an idealistic politician to a pragmatic leader who understands that governing often requires compromising one’s principles.
What makes Birgitte such a compelling character is her constant struggle between doing what’s right and doing what’s politically necessary. Borgen never presents her as a saint or a villain, but as a complex human being who makes mistakes, learns from them, and continues fighting for what she believes in, even as the cost becomes increasingly personal.
Katrine Fønsmark: The Price of Truth in Modern Media
Birgitte Hjort Sørensen brings remarkable depth to Katrine Fønsmark, a television journalist whose career becomes intertwined with Birgitte’s political rise. Katrine represents the modern media landscape, where the pursuit of truth often conflicts with ratings, political access, and personal relationships. Her character arc explores how journalism functions in the contemporary political ecosystem, examining the delicate dance between reporters and politicians.
The relationship between Katrine and Birgitte forms one of Borgen’s most fascinating dynamics, showing how professional respect can coexist with personal friendship, even when their roles as politician and journalist put them at odds.
The Ultimate Test: When Personal and Political Collide
The series reaches its emotional and political climax when Birgitte faces a crisis that threatens both her government and her family. Borgen excels at showing how political decisions have personal consequences, and how leaders must sometimes choose between their public duty and their private happiness. The show demonstrates that in politics, every victory comes with a price, and every compromise leaves a mark on the soul.
These pivotal moments reveal the true cost of political power, showing how even the most principled leaders must make choices that will haunt them personally while potentially benefiting their nation.
International Acclaim and Netflix Success
Borgen has received widespread international acclaim, earning praise for its sophisticated writing, exceptional performances, and authentic portrayal of political life. The series has been celebrated for its realistic depiction of female leadership and its nuanced approach to contemporary political issues. Netflix’s acquisition of the series for its fourth season introduced Borgen to a global audience who discovered its unique blend of personal drama and political intrigue. The show stands out in the streaming landscape for its intelligent approach to storytelling and its respect for audience intelligence, proving that viewers are hungry for complex, character-driven political drama.
A Political Drama That Transcends Borders
If you love sophisticated political dramas that explore the intersection of power, principle, and personal sacrifice, Borgen is the perfect series to discover on Netflix. This isn’t just entertainment – it’s a masterclass in political storytelling that illuminates the human cost of leadership and the complex machinery of modern democracy.
Why This Series Defines Excellence in Political Storytelling
Borgen stands as proof that political drama can be both intellectually rigorous and emotionally compelling. It’s a series that respects its audience’s intelligence while delivering genuine emotional depth, making it essential viewing for anyone interested in politics, power, and the price of leadership in the modern world.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 38 (completed series)
Platform: Netflix, originally aired on DR1 (Denmark)
Years: 2010-2013, 2022
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Genre: Political Drama, Family Drama
Status: Completed series
Protagonists: Sidse Babett Knudsen (Birgitte Nyborg), Birgitte Hjort Sørensen (Katrine Fønsmark), Pilou Asbæk (Kasper Juul)
Antagonist: The complex nature of political power and its personal costs (no single antagonist)