When it comes to peak political dramas, Aaron Sorkin’s The West Wing has long set the standard. It remains, after all these years, one of America’s most beloved political series, full of sharp performances, quick-witted dialogue, and a polished, idealistic view of the inner workings of government. And while The West Wing clearly has its merits, there’s another political drama that’s even more nuanced, grounded, and emotionally resonant, and it comes from across the pond.
The Danish series Borgen digs even deeper into the realities of leadership, offering a compelling portrait of politics that’s as personal as it is powerful. It explores the emotional and psychological toll of public service, showing how the burden of leading a country ripples through families, friendships, and every corner of private life. In fact, in 2012, for Entertainment Weekly, prolific author Stephen King named Borgen one of his favorite shows, calling it “a top-flight drama in any language.” And, as usual, he was right.
‘Borgen’ Leans into the Personal Side of Politics
At the center of Borgen is Birgitte Nyborg (Sidse Babett Knudsen), a Danish politician who becomes the country’s first female prime minister. Birgitte is both a brilliant leader and a devoted wife and mother. She’s principled yet deeply relatable, often grappling with insecurities and the constant tension between her public responsibilities and private life. Knudsen delivers a nuanced and powerful performance that reveals not just the political decisions being made but also the emotional toll they take behind closed doors.
Her husband, Philip (Mikael Birkkjær), does his best to balance his own ambitions while watching his wife rise to the pinnacle of hers. Their relationship feels loving and grounded, with a natural chemistry between Knudsen and Birkkjær as they raise two children together. But as the demands of Birgitte’s office grow, their connection begins to strain. Birkkjær’s performance highlights how even the strongest personal bonds can begin to fray under political pressure, especially when conversations shift from love to logistics. It’s a far more realistic portrayal of how relationships evolve under stress, capturing the emotional weight without leaning into idealism.
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King also advised his fans to “start watching from the beginning.”
Then there’s the other man in Birgitte’s life, at least on the professional side. Kasper Juul (Pilou Asbæk) is Birgitte’s charismatic and calculating spin doctor. He’s sharp and persuasive, always working to preserve her image while carefully navigating the ethical gray zones of modern politics. Beneath the confident exterior, though, Kasper harbors deep traumas and personal secrets that shape his every move. Through him, we gain a fascinating glimpse into the workings of politics, from tense cabinet negotiations to media manipulation, and Asbæk’s compelling performance makes every moment engaging.
Rounding out the core ensemble is ambitious journalist Katrine Fønsmark (Birgitte Hjort Sørensen), who covers the prime minister’s office. Katrine is smart, driven, and unafraid to ask tough questions, even when the story hits close to home. Sørensen brings fierce intelligence to the role, capturing the moral tightrope journalists often walk. Her romantic history with Kasper adds a charged dynamic, but Katrine is never reduced to a love interest. She’s a whip-smart reporter navigating ethically murky territory, and the kind of journalist who keeps an All the President’s Men poster hanging in her apartment. Through her work, Borgen presents journalism not just as a democratic pillar, but as a deeply personal pursuit, shaped by conviction, compromise, and the constant tension between truth and ambition.
What ‘Borgen’ Gets Right That Other Political Dramas Fall Short On
What sets Borgen apart is how it blends politics and personal life into a gritty, compelling mix. It unpacks the mechanics of coalition-building and bill-passing while grounding them in real human stakes. Birgitte is a principled politician who earns her position of prime minister through genuine conviction, but that doesn’t shield her from having to make decisions she doesn’t want to make. As the series progresses, the sacrifices grow larger, and the toll on her personal life is never sugarcoated. Yet it never feels like manufactured drama—something American series often lean into, assuming audiences need constant, over-the-top drama to stay engaged. Borgen proves that nuance, restraint, and emotional honesty are just as gripping. Through its parallel lives and intersecting choices, the show rejects the idea that political dramas must choose between message and meaning.
Borgen also captures something many American political series overlook: the essential, everyday role of the media. While The West Wing featured journalists — most notably fan favorite Danny Concannon (Timothy Busfield) — they largely existed within the confines of the White House and appeared only in specific, limited contexts. Borgen takes a far more immersive approach. The audience follows Katrine home, watches her chase down leads, navigate heated newsroom debates, and grapple with the ethical dilemmas that come with reporting. Her personal beliefs, romantic entanglements, and professional ambitions frequently intersect, and sometimes collide, with her work. The show offers a layered, behind-the-scenes look at how the press helps shape political narratives in real time, giving journalism the same weight and complexity as the political storylines themselves.
In this way, Borgen feels like the perfect hybrid of The West Wing’s political intrigue and The Newsroom‘s behind-the-scenes realism. But it goes even further, infusing that framework with a distinctly Scandinavian realism. Plotlines involving international crises, refugee policy, gender politics and scandal feel grounded and authentic. Even personal missteps like affairs, breakdowns, and moral compromises never veer into melodrama. What makes Borgen truly great is how human it feels. Whether you’re a politician or an everyday citizen, the decisions made in government ripple outward and shape your daily life.
At its core, Borgen reminds us that the true power of political drama lies in its ability to portray both policy and people. Birgitte Nyborg feels like a real person – not an inaccessible politician in an ivory tower, but someone firmly rooted in everyday life. She still lives in the same home with her husband and children, simply trying to make the right decisions for her country while holding her family together. In the world of political storytelling, Borgen is rare. It offers not only a realistic portrayal of how government functions, but also a deeply human portrait of Nyborg herself, full of struggles, sacrifices and quiet moments anyone can relate to.
Stephen King was right to call Borgen one of his favorite shows. It’s easily one of—if not the—best political dramas ever made, brought to life through powerful performances and intelligent and witty writing. If you’ve loved the charm of President Bartlet or the journalistic fire of The Newsroom, Borgen is a series you won’t want to sleep on. You’ll fall in love with Prime Minister Nyborg and root for everything she’s fighting for, both professionally and personally.
All four seasons of Borgen are available to stream on Netflix.
