The second season of the Norwegian hit dramedy Lilyhammer is in the middle of shooting for Rubicon TV and NRK. Back with a vengeance in Norway, The Sopranos mainstay and Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band guitarist Steven van Zandt who stars, co-wrote and executive produced the show gave us an exclusive interview.
First of all...how is your Norwegian?
Steven van Zandt: I'm not even fluent in English so don't mention Norwegian!
The first time I saw you was at MIPCOM 2011where you were launching Lilyhammer. Did you ever think you would be back for more in small town Lillehammer?
SvZ: I'm not surprised. I don't like one-night stands. I'm a long term-forever kind of guy. I did one show before, The Sopranos and it lasted several seasons for almost ten years. That's normal for me!
Your idea to make Lilyhammer a character-driven fish out of water series still deeply rooted in Norwegian culture has obviously paid off...
SvZ: Norway remains very mysterious for the rest of the world. When I first discussed it with the two creators/show-runners Eilif Skodvin and Anne Bjornstad I said: ‘Listen, we have an opportunity to make Norway one of the characters in the show. Whatever we show people it will be something new. We had fun depicting real life in Norway and in stretching our imagination to what could possibly happen there. There is also a lot of tradition going way back to Norse mythology, and if we can keep going, I think we will go more into that surreal, mystical side, we can bring in wild and esoteric elements.
For Season One and Two you were involved in the writing as well as starring and executive producing the show. Was it hard to make it fun but not too cliché about cultural clashes?
SvZ: You always walk that line between the familiar and non-familiar. We have to keep an eye on it. We have fun with imaginary elements, but you don't have to do too much with the cultural clash. The simple idea of having a US gangster on an FBI witness protection programme in small time Lillehammer is just brilliant.
Having Netflix on board was certainly crucial in opening up the US market to this Norwegian language show...
SvZ: Netflix happens to be a progressive network. They had already established a niche for their streaming audience to distinguish themselves on the market. They are more international in their thinking. It wasn't a total surprise that Lilyhammer was their first original series with subtitles. But no European show in history had ever been shown simultaneously in its domestic territory and in the US. You would have to go back to the 60s, and even then it was some shows from England in the English-language that were shown at the same time as in America.
What was the reach for Lilyhammer in the US?
SvZ: We reached over two million viewers. One million is viewed as a success for a cable network. We had double and it's growing all the time, plus the show was sold to over 100 countries.
How would you describe the main plotline for Season 2?
SvZ: We still have a threat from the US and have new problems coming from England. There are a lot of surprises but I don't want to say too much. We have fantastic Norwegian and English actors, including the wonderful Alan Ford from The Long Good Friday, one of my favourite gangster movies.
Have you also contributed to the score?
SvZ: For Season One I wrote a theme song and a bit of the score. This year I intend to do the entire score as well as music supervision. Scoring is where my heart is right now. I like to combine New York jazz with traditional Norwegian folk music.
What does Bruce Springsteen think of your love affair with Norway?
SvZ: He is very understanding. I will miss the Australian tour in March and this is the first time ever I've missed any show since I reunited with the E Street Band in 1998-99. But for me it is important to do this new Season.
Are you watching more Scandinavian shows and have you seen for instance Norway's Oscar hopeful Kon Tiki?
SvZ: I have not seen it yet but Jacob Oftebro from our show plays in Kon-Tiki and he's great. He went to the Golden Globes and was very excited about it. I watched Dag (produced by Anders Tangen who also produces Lilyhammer 2) It's very clever and funny. I didn't understand everything but still enjoyed it a lot.
How many more shooting days do you have?
SvZ: We will ride until the middle of April. Last time it took us six months. This time it will be a bit less. We will work a bit harder each day so I can try to go back to the tour.
And hopefully you'll do a Season 3....
SvZ: I hope so. I know Netflix wants it and the show has had great reviews everywhere including in South America and the UK. Now it's time we get this done every year and keep the momentum.