NRK’s 8x45’ event series Twin set in Northern Norway’s picture perfect Lofoten Islands, has been a dream project for more than a decade for Norwegian star actor Kristoffer Hivju and his long-time friend writer/director Kristoffer Metcalfe.

The story focuses on identical twin brothers Erik and Adam, who live opposite lifestyles. Erik is a broke surfer bum; Adam a successful family man and businessman. When the two reconnect after 15 years away from each other, the reunion ends up dramatically as the twins have a fight and when Adam’s wife Ingrid (Rebekka Nystabakk) tries to intervene, she accidentally kills her husband. To cover-up the crime and save his brother's family, Erik takes over Adam’s identity.

As well as the creator Metcalfe, Erika Calmeyer is episodic director; co-writers are Anne Elvedal, Vegard Steiro Amundsen and Sofia Lersol Lund. The series was produced by Nordisk Film Production Norway for NRK, in co-production with Storyline, support from the Norwegian Film Institute, Nordisk Film & TV Fond and Filmfond Nord. TrustNordisk handles world sales. The premiere on NRK is set for the fall 2019.

How does it feel to be in competition at Series Mania after pitching Twin as a project in 2017? Kristoffer Metcalfe: It’s amazing. It was such an important platform for us two years ago and in a way, it kick-started the entire process. This year, being in competition is so exciting. There are so many other great shows selected. We’re looking forward to seeing how the first two episodes will resonate with the audience.

Kristoffer Hivju: It’s great! Making the show was like a dream we had some 13 years ago. The concept of twins has often been used in Hollywood, as a comic tool, but we used it in a dramatic way, with a twin taking his brother’s life and replacing him. We see the consequence of his actions. He has friends, a family he doesn’t know, a house in a place he doesn’t know either. It’s a great start for a series.

How did you get the idea for the show?
KM: It all started at film school in 2006. At the time, together with Hivju and some other students, we had the idea to do a western with twins. One was a priest, the other a criminal, and when the priest died, the criminal took over his coat and travelled around the world with his identity.

How come the concept changed so drastically?
KM: The twin concept stayed and evolved, from a rather conceptual idea to a deeper level, more connected to our lives. Years ago, Hivju and I lived in a collective, but we moved on. We had kids, a family, responsibilities, and at the same time, kept in touch with former friends who still lived like when they were in their 20s. We thought it would be fun to explore how it would be to swop roles and lives.

Therefore the plot evolved from a crime thriller to a human drama with everyday situations. Another important change is that the wife in the story is the main character as she has the most to lose and the biggest arc.

Would you say that the twin concept is the perfect set up to explore metaphorically one’s search of identity and longing for a different life?
KM: We had the idea to explore the façade that people put up, as well as what it means to be an identical twin, what’s in your DNA, or in the social context that makes you who you are. I interviewed quite a lot of twins.

On paper, Twin sounds like a typical Nordic noir, but the feel is very different - in the colours, the music, the mix of humour, drama, suspense and emotions that characters are allowed to express…Can you explain how you worked on those elements to make the series fresh and innovative?
KM: Broadcasters need a genre, but then, what genre is Breaking Bad?? NRK is fantastic because they allow you to explore new universes, you’re allowed to cry, to laugh, to fear in the same show.

Kristoffer Hivju, how did you prepare for the main double role of Erik and Adam? What were the biggest challenges?
KH: I co-created the show with Metcalfe so I’ve been involved from the very start, developed and researched the character for many years, like Sylvester Stallone with Rocky Balboa. He became Rocky and the character was part of him before he even started filming.

Playing a twin wasn’t such a challenge in itself as one of the twin brothers dies at the beginning. But I had to create a character, Erik who himself plays his brother’s role in all circumstances and is constantly faced with new challenges.

We’re not sure if Erik is likeable or not? He’s simply human, with lots of flaws…
KH: Definitely. He’s quite irresponsible. He’s been drifting for the last decade, living day to day. His relationships with other people has gone wrong as he can’t commit to anything and anybody. That’s part of his journey. All of a sudden, he has to take responsibility for his brother’s kids and the circumstances he’s put himself in.

Kristoffer Metcalfe, how did you cast Rebekka Nystabakk who plays the wife and how was your collaboration with the entire crew to set the specific tone and style?
KM: I really have to thank casting agent Hanna Kavli Lund for discovering Rebekka. She comes from theatre, and this is her breakthrough role on the TV-screen. I also used many local actors as I wanted to have fresh faces and a cast with the right dialect. We created a warm family atmosphere, like a band on the set, with everyone in constant dialogue, with specific responsibilities. We had a kind of road map for everyone. I directed the first two and last two episodes to set the concept and Erika Calmeyer directed the other episodes.

The Lofoten Islands play a central role. Can you explain how you used the setting in the dramaturgy?
KM: What’s unique is that the Lofoten Islands define the universe for the series. We used the dramatic mountains to create a framework, to make people feel that the main character is in prison, both in his mind and in the plot. The Lofoten is also a community where fisheries are not the cornerstone of society anymore. I was curious to describe how a picturesque place invaded by tourism can also lose its identity.

How long was the entire shooting?
KM: The whole series was filmed over 90 days, which was a bit tight but we made it work.

When will the series air on NRK? Will there be a season 2?
KM: It will premiere in the fall. I see season 1 as the first act of a bigger story. But let’s see first how the audience reacts.

How do you feel about the current success of Norwegian TV drama?
KH: It’s great. It all started with Nordic noir but the need to portray darkness is not so necessary for me, there is so much darkness in the outside world. It’s great that Norwegian drama can experiment with different genres today. This show is not really a crime story. It tears down the crime story. It’s time to find new areas and genres.

After Game of Thrones how was it for you Kristoffer Hivju to come back to Norway?
KH: The main pleasure was to work in my language, with my friends. It felt like coming home. And having a say in the show was very pleasant. Although it’s a Norwegian speaking series, people around the world are now getting used to hearing foreign language and this drama with a different twist, crime with an original human perspective should make this series appealing to a large audience internationally. It’s about real human beings in difficult circumstances.