• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Netflix fans discover platform's 'most underrated' series that made Squid Game and Stranger Things possible

Home> Film & TV> Netflix

Published 08:00 7 Jun 2025 GMT+1

Netflix fans discover platform's 'most underrated' series that made Squid Game and Stranger Things possible

It marked a special moment for the streaming giant

Ellie Kemp

Ellie Kemp

Netflix fans have only just clocked on to the platform's first ever original series - and reckon it's 'underrated'.

When you think of the platform's debut, self-made TV shows, Orange is the New Black and House of Cards might spring to mind.

But you'd be wrong - it's a three-season crime drama that launched Netflix's iconic run of original programming.

Advert

Led by The Sopranos' Steven Van Zandt, it saw the streamer collaborate with Norwegian TV broadcaster NRK.

Debuting in February 2012, the drama paved the way for mammoth shows including Stranger Things and Squid Game - both of which have gone on to be wildly popular.

The show follows Frank Tagliano, a former New York mobster who, after testifying against his mafia associates, enters the witness protection program.

Instead of choosing a typical American safe haven, he requests to be relocated to Europe.

Advert

The first ever original Netflix series ran for three seasons (Netflix)
The first ever original Netflix series ran for three seasons (Netflix)

Where exactly? Well, a small town called Lillehammer in Norway, which he fell in love with while watching the 1994 Winter Olympics.

Under the alias Giovanni 'Johnny' Henriksen, Frank tries to start a new life.

But old habits die hard and he begins to influence the locals using mob-like tactics, quickly finding himself at odds with both local criminals and law enforcement.

Advert

The series in question is called Lilyhammer - you can watch its trailer below:

In a recent Reddit thread, one user was asking once again for Netflix recommendations.

And while people dashed to recommend gripping new crime series Dept Q, others pointed them in the direction of Lilyhammer.

Advert

"One of the most underrated shows on there is Lilyhammer. Might have to turn the subtitles on since it’s one American in Norway," one person penned.

Another replied: "One of my favorite shows ever. So funny!"

Praise for the show continued over on Rotten Tomatoes, where one person summed it up as a 'dark unique comedy'.

"An amazing very underrated show!' a second agreed, as a third wrote: "This is a phenomenal show... saw all three seasons. Great writing, creative inventive story lines and characters. So sorry when it ended."

Advert

Subscribers are still only just discovering Lilyhammer (Netflix)
Subscribers are still only just discovering Lilyhammer (Netflix)

On its 10-year anniversary in 2022, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said: "Looking back, Lilyhammer was perhaps an unorthodox choice for our first show.

"But it worked because it was a deeply local story that we could share with the world.

"The jokes and references worked locally and the more universal themes of the shows traveled perfectly."


Advert

He continued: "Since then, we’ve seen so many great local stories resonate with people in other countries and from other cultures: shows and films set anywhere and told in any language. Lilyhammer was the forebearer of so many great shows to come - Dark Desire and Who Killed Sara? from Mexico, La Casa de Papel from Spain, The Rain and The Chestnut Man from Denmark, Dark and Barbarians from Germany, Lupin from France, Sacred Games from India, and of course, most recently, Squid Game from Korea, our biggest show ever. But the first always will be Lilyhammer."

All three seasons of Lilyhammer are streaming now on Netflix.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: Netflix, Film and TV, Streaming, Rotten Tomatoes

Ellie Kemp
Ellie Kemp

Ellie joined UNILAD in 2024, specialising in SEO and trending content. She moved from Reach PLC where she worked as a senior journalist at the UK’s largest regional news title, the Manchester Evening News. She also covered TV and entertainment for national brands including the Mirror, Star and Express. In her spare time, Ellie enjoys watching true crime documentaries and curating the perfect Spotify playlist.

X

@EllieKempOnline

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

15 hours ago
21 hours ago
23 hours ago
a day ago
  • Netflix
    15 hours ago

    Underrated Netflix series has 'phenomenal' first season as subscribers watch for 108 million hours

    Fans and critics were at odds over the drama

    Film & TV
  • Netflix
    21 hours ago

    BTK killer's daughter reveals all in Netflix film that's perfect for Ed Gein viewers

    It links to two other Netflix big hitters

    Film & TV
  • Netflix
    23 hours ago

    Charlie Hunnam reveals why he thought it was a 'horrible mistake' to take Ed Gein role in Netflix show

    The 'Sons of Anarchy' star explained how the pull of Ryan Murphy was enough for him to take the leading role in the next 'Monster' series

    Film & TV
  • Netflix
    a day ago

    Director behind Keira Knightley's new Netflix cruise thriller explains why it was his ‘worst nightmare’ to film

    Keira Knightley has called this film part of her 'thriller era'

    Film & TV
  • Underrated Netflix series has 'phenomenal' first season as subscribers watch for 108 million hours
  • Netflix miniseries binged for 35.7 million hours leaves viewers wanting more
  • 'Insane' Netflix mini-series storms most-watched charts as fans demand season two
  • Game of Thrones fans urged to watch 'criminally underrated' Netflix series with 94% ratings