Borgen - the radio play

Radio Four broadcast Borgen: Outside the Castle back in December 2013 and for those of us who (ahem) missed it, it will be released on audiobook in September 2014:

A thrilling BBC Radio full-cast spin-off from the Danish TV series, starring Tim Pigott-Smith.

Hans Gammelgaard, Private Secretary in the Danish Ministry of the Environment, is seeking approval for the controlled use of genetically modified crops by Danish farmers. However, unseen enemies seem prepared to go to any lengths in pursuit of their own agenda.

When Hans is sacked, he and his grandson Nick join forces with cynical journalist Jan Gleerup to find out who has been pushing commercial interests in the GMO debate in Borgen. A series of threatening phone calls means time is running out. Hans begins to fear not only for the political situation, but also for his family.

Adapted from the original Danish version, this radio drama is set against the backdrop of the first Borgen television series, which followed the unlikely emergence of Birgitte Nyborg as the country's new Prime Minister. At the centre of the drama is the Danish parliament, nicknamed Borgen - 'the castle'. While the TV drama focuses on the politicians, the radio drama is set in the world of the civil service.

TV News: The Return of Borgen to BBC4

The third and final series of Borgen will begin on BBC4 on Saturday 16th November at 9pm with A Child of Denmark:

It's two and a half years since Danish Prime Minister Birgitte Nyborg called a general election, and she has left the political arena to become a well-paid speaker in business circles.

However, Nyborg has become disillusioned with the compromises the Moderate Party are making with the new government - and is compelled to act.

Danish TV Shows on UK TV - update

The US version of The Killing, due to be shown on Channel 4 next month has just been renewed. From Reuters:

AMC has ordered a second season of "The Killing," a serial drama based on a Danish series about the search for the killer of a teenage girl.

Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman star as Seattle homicide investigating the murder.

"The Killing" premiered to 2.7 million viewers April 3 and is averaging 2.2 million viewers so far this season. It ranks as AMC's second-highest-rated first-season drama after "The Walking Dead." Series creator Veena Sud ("Cold Case") will return as showrunner.

Fox Television Studios president David Madden, whose company produces the hourlong drama, told The Hollywood Reporter in April that "The Killing" was a risk when it launched.

"'The Killing' is as risky in its form as '24' was when it launched. We'll take a season to tell a very careful, deliberate, twisting/turning mystery that is almost more novelistic in its approach," he said.

Meanwhile in the UK, BBC Four has snapped up Borgen, a ten-part political drama:

Borgen is a compelling drama series about the fight for political power and its consequences. Sidse Babett Knudsen plays 40-year-old party leader Birgitte Nyborg who successfully secures a surprise election victory only to discover the biggest challenge of her life is yet to come.

Privately, Birgitte leads a happy family life with her husband and two children. She is a woman with a burning commitment, a big heart and too little time. Her challenge to be a successful politician and remain true to her beliefs will involve personal sacrifice with far reaching consequences for all those involved.

Borgen's mix of complex characters include cynical but brilliant media adviser, Kasper Juul, and young television political journalist Katrine Fonsmark, whose screen presence has quickly earned her popularity but whose personal life threatens to destroy everything she has worked so hard for.

Time to get the knitting needles out again: