Before there was “Orange is the New Black,” before “Arrested Development” was resurrected for a fourth season, before even “House of Cards,” there was “Lilyhammer,” an hourlong fish-out-of-water comedic drama that was (technically) Netflix’s first original series. A Norwegian-American co-production, “Lilyhammer” stars “Sopranos” actor/E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt as Frank “The Fixer” Tagliano, a New York mobster who somehow goes into witness protection in Lillehammer, Norway.
The first eight-episode season of “Lilyhammer” premiered in full on Netflix on February 6, 2012, and was enough of a success on the streaming service and on NRK1 in Norway that a second season was ordered, though it was delayed by Van Zandt’s tour schedule. Shooting was completed earlier this year, and season two of “Lilyhammer” began airing in Norway on October 23rd. Today, Netflix announced that the season will premiere in full on its service in U.S., Canada and Latin America on Friday, December 13 at 12:01am PT.
As with the first season, the second is eight episodes long and will follow Frank in his new life as Johnny Henriksen, a successful nightclub owner, father of two and, yes, criminal. Frank’s fresh start is threatened when his former mob associates find out he is still alive.
“Lilyhammer” was developed by Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin at Rubicon TV AS. Lasse Hallberg and Van Zandt are executive producers.
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