Parents' Guide to

Lilyhammer

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Fish-out-of-water dramedy has some mature content.

TV Netflix Drama 2012
Lilyhammer Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

benc2
benc2 Parent
April 8, 2015
age 13+

Lilyhammer

It's good

This title has:

Great messages
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
tandrea
tandrea Parent of 12 and 15-year-old
February 27, 2015
age 15+

Amazing series

Not for young kids for sure but for older teens OK. For adults great! The good characters are very likeable and brings to mind always what would you do differently if you were in that situation. Good characters don't hurt good people.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

LILYHAMMER is a dramatic comedy that follows a mobster-turned-witness who moves to Norway hide from his enemies. After voluntarily testifying against Aldo Delucci (Thomas Grube), Frank Tagliano (Steve Van Zandt) asks to be relocated to the Nordic town of Lillehammer, thanks to his memories of watching the 1994 Winter Olympics on television. Now an unemployed immigrant in a new country, Frank, known now as Giovanni Henricksen, begins building a quiet life and making friends among the locals, including the Lien brothers (played by Trond Fausa Aurvåg and Steinar Sagen) and Sigrid Haugli (Marian Saastad Ottesen). But he can't seem to shake his gangster instincts, which raises the suspicions of his neighbor, Laila Hovland (Anne Krigsvoll), who just happens to be Lillehammer's Chief of Police.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (1 ):

The series, which is Netflix's first original program, features an ensemble cast of characters who are likable and quirky. Frank's (AKA Giovanni's) personality adds depth to the show, thanks to his unique combination of warmheartedness and street-smart mobster tactics.

Despite the mixture of English and Norwegian conversations (some of which requires subtitles), the story is both easy to follow and entertaining to watch. If you're looking for a well-written, mature series that effectively balances drama and humor, this one fits the bill.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it is like to move to another country. What are some of the benefits of doing so? What are some of the challenges? What is it like for folks from other countries moving to the U.S.?

  • Many of the tactics the main character uses to help his community are against the law. Do the ends justify the means?

TV Details

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