Borgen Power & Glory is new to Netflix but plenty of viewers out there will already be familiar with Birgitte Nyborg from the original Danish political drama series which first aired in 2010.
The show ran for three seasons and was hugely successful around the world. That said, it was still a surprise when Netflix decided to renew the show, producing a fourth season.
This is a stand alone continuation so if you haven't seen the first three seasons, it won't spoil your enjoyment of these episodes.
Prior to this season, Birgitte Nyborg (Sidse Babett Knudsen) was the first female Prime Minister of Denmark. Idealistic in her approach, navigating the treacherous waters of politics proved difficult when dealing with a coalition government.
By the end of season three, Nyborg was no longer the PM and instead had retired before returning to politics with a new political party, the “New Democrats”.
Borgen Power & Glory picks up with Nyborg as the newly appointed minister for foreign affairs.
When a drilling company suddenly discovers oil in Greenland, it marks the beginning of an international struggle for power in the Arctic.
Despite Denmark’s ‘big brother’ relationship with Greenland, Nyborg must accept that when it comes to international superpowers, it is Denmark that is the minor player.
And so begins the battle against the Chinese, Russians and Americans as Nyborg desperately tries to hang to her principles and her job.
Is Borgen Power & Glory Worth Watching?
If you loved Borgen, and I really did, then you will be tuning in to this chapter of the show no matter what anybody says about it.
Creator Adam Price is back again so you absolutely know that the writing, production style and direction are on point.
The fact that the show is also produced by SAM Productions who also made The Chestnut Man and Ragnarok is another bonus.
The main story focuses on some of the biggest political issues of our time including the relevance of the Danish Realm in the modern world, the battle for control of the Arctic when the Chinese and US governments get involved, and not least, the climate crisis.
Borgen Power & Glory focuses on the struggle for power and what power does to people both professionally and on a personal level.
It also follows fan favourite Katrine Fønsmark’s (Birgitte Hjort Sørensen) journey. After being Birgitte’s head of press, in this season she is back in journalism where she has landed a job as head of the news department for a large, nationwide television station.
Borgen Power & Glory Release Date
The show was originally released by Netflix in Denmark on February 13th 2022.
Sweden soon followed on April 14th 2022 and for everybody else, Borgen Power & Glory will stream on Netflix on June 2nd 2022.
There are eight episodes in season four.
Why Is It Called Borgen?
In Danish, Borgen means ‘The Fortress‘. It is also the informal name of Christiansborg Palace where all three branches of the Danish government reside.
They are the Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Supreme Court, and the term Borgen is often used as a stand in term for the Danish Parliament.
Borgen Power & Glory Cast
The good news is that a large majority of the original cast are back for Borgen Power & Glory but with one noticeable absence. That is Pilou Asbæk (Overlord) as Kasper Juul, Nyborg's spin doctor.
Fans may remember that in previous seasons he left Nyborg's team when she originally retired from politics. He was then offered a job as a political commentator and as such is not back for season four.
Sidse Babett Knudsen as Birgitte Nyborg the former Prime Minister of Denmark and now leader Minister for Foreign Affairs
Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as Katrine Fønsmark a journalist and New Democrats Campaign Manager
Lars Mikkelsen as Søren Ravn the New Democrats economics consultant
Søren Malling as Torben Friis the TV1 news editor
Mikael Birkkjær as Phillip Christensen, Birgitte Nyborg's husband and lecturer at Copenhagen Business School
Borgen Power & Glory also stars Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen, Peter Mygind and Simon Bennebjerg.
