Borgen

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Sidse Babett Knudsen in Borgen

Sidse Babett Knudsen as Birgitte Nyborg in Borgen

Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as Katrine Fønsmark in Borgen

Sidse Babett Knudsen as Birgitte Nyborg in Borgen

Sidse Babett Knudsen as Birgitte Nyborg in Borgen. Image: Mike Kolloffel

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Borgen is the award-winning Danish political thriller that everyone is talking about! Set in and around the Danish Parliament, the series follow the lives and careers of fictional Danish Prime minister Birgitte Nyborg, her political colleagues – and enemies.

It’s been described as the Danish West Wing, and award winning Danish political drama Borgen more than lives up to the accolades. Starring Sidse Babett Knudsen as the Danish Prime Minister Birgitte Nyborg, the show follows the fictional career and life of Denmark’s first female leader. Intrigues, back-stabbing, family, love and political manoeuvrings are the order of the day. The show is produced by Danish broadcasting service DR, and a third season is schedule for release in 2013.

Award-winning drama

Borgen has won a series of international awards, including the 2010 Prix Italia for best drama series, a Golden Nymph to Sidse Babett Knudsen for Outstanding Actress in a drama series at the 2011 Monte-Carlo Television Festival, the Fipa Grand Prize for Best TV Series as well as for Best Original Soundtrack at the 2011 Festival International de Programmes Audiovisuels, and the esteemed International award at the 2012 BAFTA Television Awards.

A who’s who of Danish stars

Knudsen is joined by an all-star cast of Danish actors, including Mikael Birkkjær (The Killing), Pilou Asbæk (The Killing, A Hijacking), Birgitte Hjort Sørensen and Peter Mygind.

Fiction or reality?

In 2011, Denmark elected its first-ever female Prime Minister. Borgen was written before the election took place, but mirrored the events that followed with spooky accuracy. See photos of Prime Minister Thorning-Schmidt in action.

Visit Folketinget, The Danish Parliament

Borgen is a nickname for Christiansborg, the home of the Danish parliament and the prime minister's office. It is located on an island at the heart of the Copenhagen’s old-town and is worth a visit. Why not take an English guided tour of Folketinget and the mysterious crypts below? Tours include the intriguingly-named Wanderer’s Hall, which contains an original copy of the Danish constitution.

Can't get enough of Borgen?

Seasons One and Two were such huge successes that a third and final season is currently in production and will air in 2013. The only question is, can you wait that long?