Norwegian Auteur Henriette Steenstrup Mixing Genres in ‘Triage’ and ‘Nepobaby’

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Norwegian screenwriter and director Henriette Steenstrup expresses her deep fondness for the TV series “Ted Lasso,” and it’s clear why this is so. Her debut project as a showrunner, “Pørni,” the popular comedy on Viaplay that has been renewed by Netflix for Seasons 4-5, shares similar qualities: an exceptional talent for blending humor with touching emotional depth while tackling serious matters without avoiding them.

The multi-talented Norwegian creator, recognized by EbMaster as one of the 10 European TV creators to watch in 2022, is set to present her upcoming projects “Nepobaby” and “Triage,” commissioned by TV2 Norway. Known for her roles in “Ragnarok” and “Lilyhammer,” she plans to adhere to her familiar creative approach while also venturing into fresh environments. In anticipation of her appearance at the Göteborg’s TV Drama Vision showcase later this month, where she will give a talk and preside over the Nordic Series Script Award as its jury president, she expresses her enthusiasm for blending different genres.

At present, a series titled “Triage” is being produced, which takes place within an ER department of a hospital in Oslo. This drama showcases the challenging decisions that nurses are compelled to make every day. According to Steenstrup, who will portray one of the major female characters, Triage is essentially about making choices – determining which patient to attend to first and setting priorities, tasks that are crucial in both an ER and real-life situations. As she did with “Pørni,” where she played Pernille, a childcare worker, Steenstrup aims to depict individuals working on the front line in Triage, those who are often undervalued and barely visible in the healthcare sector.

Steenstrup immersed herself deeply in the real-life hospital environment of Oslo for over 10 days to ensure her script and performance were as genuine as possible. “It was an extraordinary encounter, and I’m deeply appreciative of the exceptional healthcare professionals who made it happen,” she said.

The television series aims to depict a diverse range of Norwegian societal aspects. “Expect a ‘miniature Norway,’ reflecting the collective anxieties, aspirations, and primary issues that resonate with people – from aging to mental health concerns.

According to Steenstrup, healthcare represents a significant issue within our society that often causes frustration among politicians. Despite substantial financial investment, there are always pressing matters demanding attention.

To add excitement to the storyline, the showrunner reveals that one of the characters, a nurse, has been introduced with a twist: she’s been caught in a web of lies and harboring a hidden, sinister aspect. When questioned about her role as the antagonist, Steenstrup quickly clarifies, “Absolutely not! I never take on the role of the enigmatic woman. I’m just not mysterious enough!

The program will maintain a thrilling, suspenseful pace, punctuated by occasional moments of respite, according to Steenstrup. He remarks, “To endure, you need wit, compassion, and understanding. Nurses aren’t mere heavenly figures in white. They are secretly white-clad superheroes, given the challenges they face!

With the initial script for Season 1 completed, the showrunner anticipates that “Triage” will commence filming later in this year at Eldorado Content Club, a production company established two years ago alongside Ida Håndlykken Kvernstrøm and Bård Fjulsrud from Pørni producers (previously associated with Monster Scripted). TV2 Norway serves as our commissioner, but they are actively seeking collaborative partners for this high-budget project. Steenstrup shares that an esteemed cast will join the series, and there will be a requirement to construct a hospital set using studio work.

Currently, the initial series from Eldorado Content Club, titled “Nepobaby,” is undergoing editing processes for TV2 Norway and its distribution partners, which include Nordisk Film Distribution and the French group Oble.

Vivild Falk Berg, the actress playing Steenstrup’s daughter Hanna in “Pørni,” leads the cast of “Nepobaby” as Emma, a 25-year-old character who was raised by a single working-class mother. Suddenly, Emma finds out she is the daughter of a Norwegian shipping tycoon and one of his five heirs, along with her siblings Steenstrup, Nicolai Cleve Broch (“Beforeigners,” “The Sandhamn Murders”), Kristin Grue (“Power Play”), and Helle Ryg Eia (“Peak TV”).

The term ‘Nepobaby’ refers to individuals who gain advantage due to being the child of a celebrity, and it’s often used in the United States. In Norway, however, we don’t have as many celebrities,” remarks Steenstrup, “but instead, we have numerous wealthy people. Thus, the genuine ‘Nepobabies’ in Norway are the offspring of the affluent,” she explains.

Streenstrup, a co-creator of “Young and Promising,” shares the origins of the series: “Initially, I wanted to write a story for Vivild, such a gifted actress, then the title came to me, followed by inspiration from a family inheritance settlement.” Essentially, it delves into the intricacies of familial bonds, inheritance, and how wealth can shape individuals and those around them. These themes are universally relatable.

When asked about her role as a showrunner and the types of stories she enjoys, Steenstrup, who has been active in theatre, film, and television for over three decades, expressed her enthusiasm for diverse genres. She shared that she’s currently engrossed in “Black Doves” and can’t get enough of it! She’s a fan of crime stories, sports narratives (particularly fond of “Ted Lasso”), boxing films, and gangster movies. The only genre she’s not particularly fond of is science fiction, but she can still appreciate shows like “Game of Thrones” and movies from the “Harry Potter” series.

She describes Nordic content as offering top-notch quality from its writers, cameramen, actors, and directors. Additionally, she feels that the unique perspective of Nordic countries is valuable for everyone. For a while, Denmark and Sweden led the way, but now Finland, Iceland, and Norway are making significant strides. Notably, Norway excels in catering to various age groups, particularly the younger audience. In her opinion, the show ‘Skam’ played a crucial role in introducing Norwegian content to international audiences.

Moving forward, the award-winning talent, who was recently bestowed Norway’s Telenor Culture Prize 2024 for her knack of blending humor with gravity, has announced her intention to keep experimenting with various genres and media, always maintaining a comedic essence at the heart. “I can’t help it; I find comedy in everyday situations, even the toughest ones, and that’s what I want to portray on screens,” she added.

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2025-01-20 13:17