This Underrated Crime Series Was Netflix's Debut Original – and It Stars 'The Sopranos' Legend

Today, Netflix is a massive empire that produces hundreds of series and movies annually, yet, few people remember how it all began.

The streaming service's first original project was not House of Cards but the modest yet charming crime comedy Lilyhammer, a co-production with Norwegian television released in 2012.

The show stars Steven Van Zandt, who is familiar to millions of fans of The Sopranos as Silvio. Due to their similar characters, some perceive Lilyhammer as an unofficial spinoff of the legendary show. However, it also has its own unique tone: lighter, wry, and cozy.

What Is 'Lilyhammer' About?

Frank Tagliano, a seasoned New York gangster, decides to turn his boss in to the feds after he kills his dog. As part of the witness protection program, he is offered a choice of where to live.

Frank chooses Lilyhammer, a small Norwegian town that seems like paradise. However, reality proves far harsher: instead of a resort town, he is met with freezing temperatures, polar nights, and a tenacious police chief.

Frank must learn to live in a country where everyone respects the law. But old habits die hard: he quickly adapts, buying a local bar and beginning to solve problems in the same way he did in New York.

'Lilyhammer' Is a Masterful Blend of Mafia Drama, Satire, and Scandinavian Humor

Lilyhammer operates on several levels simultaneously. On the one hand, it's a classic crime comedy in which viewers enjoy watching a seasoned gangster try out his methods in a country where they seem absurd and ridiculous.

On the other hand, it's a subtle satire of the dialogue of cultures. The series depicts Norway not as a stereotypical paradise but as a country with its own quirks, bureaucracy, and rules that seem like the height of madness to a gangster.

A third layer of the show is its purely entertaining, comedic element. The humor is gentle and ironic, often built on the clash of incompatible worlds – Mafia showdowns sit alongside discussions of local ski jumps.

Though Now Forgotten, 'Lilyhammer' Became a Milestone in the Modern TV Industry

Lilyhammer is not only Netflix's first original series, but also a milestone in television history – the show proved that streaming platforms can produce high-quality content to rival that of traditional channels.

The series was well-received by critics, who dubbed it The Sopranos in Norway. Steven Van Zandt, previously known primarily for his role as Silvio, showed that he can do more than play a supporting character.

His character is not a carbon copy of Silvio but a completely different character: more naive and less cynical yet still charismatic. The creators even planned an episode in which Frank would meet the cast of The Sopranos, but unfortunately, this idea was never realized due to the actors' schedules.

Despite running for several years and being renewed for three seasons, the series remained overshadowed by Netflix's higher-profile projects. It's unfortunate because Lilyhammer is the perfect antidote to the blues: funny, warm, and surprisingly life-affirming.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Lilyhammer'?

• Lilyhammer has 65% from critics and 86% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 7.9/10.