The comedy drama produced by Monster for Viaplay won best drama series and best actor on Saturday evening at Norway’s annual television awards.

Pørni was a clear favourite as it has been hailed as one of the best Norwegian shows in recent years by the local press and set a viewing record 24h after it launched on Viaplay in 2021. A second season premiered last February and a third season is on its way.

Loosely inspired by Steenstrup’s own experience, the series centres on the middle-aged single supermom Pørni who always puts other people first - her teenage kids, her father, former husband, while dealing with a demanding job as childcare worker and the recent loss of her sister.

“To all Pørni out there: stand up, it's for you that I’ve made the series. You are the heroes!” said a beaming Steenstrup from the stage of the Grieghallen in Bergen on Saturday.

Pørni is sold by Keshet International.

Among the 21 Gullruten awards handed out on Saturday, standout wins in the drama and non-scripted categories include:

  • Best supporting role to Pia Tjelta, for State of Happiness 2, produced by Maipo Film for NRK
  • Best TV documentary to The Quest for Tonewood (Jakten på Tonetreet), produced by Norsk Fjernsyn for NRK
  • Best comedy series to Basic Bitch produced by Feelgood Scene Film & TV for Warner Bros-Discovery. The series co-created by Amanda Erlandsen and Vilde Klohs tells of four young women who could have moved to Oslo to pursue a career-like most people from their small town of Tønsberg, but who prefer their comfortable life in their hometown.

For the full lust of Norwegian Gullruten TV awards, check: www.gullruten.no