:Home for Christmas (TV series)
{{short description|Norwegian television series}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Home for Christmas (TV series).jpg
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| genre = Romantic comedy,
drama comedy
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| director = {{ill|Per-Olav Sørensen|no}}
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| country = Norway
| language = Norwegian
| num_seasons = 2
| num_episodes = 12
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| first_aired = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|12|05}}
| last_aired = {{End date|df=yes|2020|12|18}}
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Home for Christmas ({{langx|no|Hjem til jul}}) is a Norwegian television series that premiered on Netflix in December 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vg.no/i/b5w6Xg|title=TV-serieanmeldelse "Hjem til jul": Middels, faktisk|last=Nilsen|first=Morten Ståle|date=4 December 2020|website=Verdens Gang|language=no|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2 January 2020}} It stars Ida Elise Broch as Johanne, who scrambles to get a boyfriend to bring home for Christmas Eve.
The romantic drama comedy consists of six 30-minute episodes in each season and was Netflix's first Norwegian original series.{{cite web|url=http://kampanje.com/premium/november-2019/innsikt/har-skrevet-norges-forste-netflix-serie/|title=Har skrevet den første norske Netflix-serien: - Et adrenalinkick|website= Kampanje|last=Andersen|first=Jacob|language=no|accessdate=14 December 2019}} The series received mostly positive reviews.
In 2022, the series was remade in Italy under the title I Hate Christmas. It was also remade in South Africa in 2023, under the title "Yoh! Christmas".{{cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/tv/netflix-not-ruining-christmas-this-year-as-it-adds-new-rom-com-series-to-its-festive-slate-20231101|title=Yoh! Christmas: Netflix introduces new star-studded festive rom-com
|last=Keitumetse|first=Maako|language=en|accessdate=9 December 2023}}
Synopsis
Johanne (Broch) is a nurse in her 30s, working at a hospital in Norway. During Advent dinner, she feels pressured by her family to be in a relationship. She lies and tells them that she has a boyfriend, and that he will accompany her to Christmas dinner.
File:Felix Sandman.melodifestivalen2018.18d874.1500330.jpg, who plays Jonas, has already starred in another Netflix original series, Quicksand]]
Johanne then tries to find a boyfriend through speed dating, internet dating, and other means. She goes on dates with several men, including 18 year old Jonas (Felix Sandman), and the much older Bengt Erik (Bjørn Skagestad). She also has a brief sexual encounter with Eira, one of her female coworkers.
None of this results in Johanne finding a boyfriend. In the last episode of season one, coworker Dr. Henrik tells her that he loves her. They are interrupted by a medical emergency before she can respond. She then goes to her parents' house for Christmas dinner. During dinner, the doorbell rings. The first season ends with a shot of Johanne's face as she opens the door, possibly for one of her suitors.
Production
The series takes place in Oslo, with winter scenes taking place in the copper mining town of Røros.{{cite web|url=https://www.roros.no/netflix-tar-deg-med-hjem-til-jul/|title=Netflix tar deg med hjem til jul|last=|first=|date=12 November 2019|website=Destinasjon Røros|language=no|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214110533/https://www.roros.no/netflix-tar-deg-med-hjem-til-jul/|archive-date=14 December 2019|accessdate=14 December 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.adressa.no/pluss/meninger/2019/12/06/Slik-snyter-Netflix-R%C3%B8ros-for-verdensreklame-20551074.ece|title=Slik snyter Netflix Røros for verdensreklame|last=Lundemo|first=Trygve|date=6 December 2019|website=Adresseavisen|language=no|archive-url=|archive-date=|accessdate=14 December 2019}} Unexpected warmth resulted in snow being transported from Røros Airport to create the winter scenes. It was produced by the Oslo Company, and financed and distributed by Netflix as an original series.{{cite web|url=https://www.dn.no/tv/ice/christian-steen/oslo-company/oslo-company-mistet-storkunde-klare-for-netflix-milepal/2-1-620329|title=Oslo Company mistet storkunde – klare for Netflix-milepæl|last=Johannessen|first=Stian Øvrebø|date=14 June 2019|website=Dagens Næringsliv|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214110527/https://www.dn.no/tv/ice/christian-steen/oslo-company/oslo-company-mistet-storkunde-klare-for-netflix-milepal/2-1-620329|archive-date=14 December 2019|accessdate=14 December 2019}}
The idea for the show was created by two advertisement students, Amir Shaheen and Kristian Andersen, who derived the concept from the popular Nordic TV Christmas calendars,{{cite web|url=https://kampanje.com/medier/2019/12/netflix-lagde-serie-av-skoleoppgaven-til-kristian-og-amir/|title=Reklamestudentene Kristian og Amir fikk ideen til den første norske Netflix-serien|last=Andersen|first=Jacob|date=3 December 2019|website=Kampanje|language=no|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214110631/https://kampanje.com/medier/2019/12/netflix-lagde-serie-av-skoleoppgaven-til-kristian-og-amir/|archive-date=14 December 2019|accessdate=14 December 2019}} televised advent calendars with an episode broadcast each day of December until Christmas Eve. They decided not to draw inspiration from Christmas films but rather other Norwegian series such as the teenage series Skam. They pitched the idea to the Oslo Company.
The director of the series was {{ill|Per-Olav Sørensen|no}}.{{Cite news |last=Slettemark |first=Asbjørn |date=4 December 2019 |title="Hjem til jul": Klarer Netflix-serien å bli en norsk "Love, Actually?" {{!}} Anmeldt av Asbjørn Slettemark |language=no |work=Aftenposten |url=https://www.aftenposten.no/kultur/i/mREawL/hjem-til-jul-klarer-netflix-serien-aa-bli-en-norsk-love-actually-anmeldt-av-asbjoern-slettemark |access-date=2023-12-22}} Anna Gutto co-directed several episodes during the first season.{{Cite news |last=Åbergsjord |first=Ingrid |date=21 March 2023 |title=Solid norsk Hollywood-debut |language=no |work=Aftenposten |url=https://vink.aftenposten.no/artikkel/on1ol7/filmanmeldelse-av-paradise-highway-med-juliette-binoche-og-morgan-freeman |access-date=2023-12-19}}
Cast and characters
- Ida Elise Broch as Johanne, 30 year old nurse and protagonist
- Gabrielle Leithaug as Jørgunn, Johanne's roommate and best friend
- Dennis Storhøi as Tor, Johanne's father
- Anette Hoff as Jorid, Johanne's mother
- Ghita Nørby as Mrs. Nergaard, COPD patient at the hospital
- Hege Schøyen as Bente, manages the nurses at the hospital
- Bjørn Skagestad as Bengt Erik, politician and businessman
- Felix Sandman as Jonas, 19 year old Johanne meets online
- Line Verndal as Eira, works at the hospital
- {{ill|Oddgeir Thune|no}} as Henrik, a doctor
- Iselin Shumba as Jeanette, good friend to Johanne, has children with Trym
Episodes
{{Series overview
| color1 = #49B64D
| link1 = #Season 1 (2019)
| episodes1 = 6
| released1 = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|12|5}}
| color2 = 982931
| link2 = #Season 2 (2020)
| episodes2 = 6
| released2 = {{Start date|df=yes|2020|12|18}}
}}
=Season 1 (2019)=
{{Episode table |background=#49B64D |overall= |season= |title= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = The Big Christmas Lie
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|12|5}}
| LineColor = 49B64D
| ShortSummary = After lying to her nosy family about having a boyfriend, Johanne sets out to find the real thing in time to introduce him at Christmas.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = Heavy Dating
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|12|5}}
| LineColor = 49B64D
| ShortSummary = Johanne goes all-in on the dating scene, hitting the town with a variety of suitors -- some more worthy than others.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = Sugar Baby? Sugar Daddy?
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|12|5}}
| LineColor = 49B64D
| ShortSummary = Just as Johanne finds herself falling for Jonas, his polar opposite asks her out. Complicating matters: iffy and unsolicited advice from all angles.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = Party Flirting
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|12|5}}
| LineColor = 49B64D
| ShortSummary = Sparks fly and punches are thrown at Johanne's hospital Christmas party. Later, a ride on the bus takes an unexpected turn.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = Heartache
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|12|5}}
| LineColor = 49B64D
| ShortSummary = After bumping into a few old flames, Johanne realizes she has real feelings for Jonas and sets out to let him know.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = The Final Christmas Countdown
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2019|12|5}}
| LineColor = 49B64D
| ShortSummary = Johanne strives to make peace with her imperfect holiday season. But hold up -- Christmas may still have a few surprises in store!
}}
}}
=Season 2 (2020)=
{{Episode table |background=#982931 |overall= |season= |title= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 7
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = Love You,Love You Not
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2020|12|18}}
| LineColor = 982931
| ShortSummary = The person at Johanne's door is finally revealed. Over the course of a year, romantic bliss gives way to the realities of relationships.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 8
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = Sweet Revenge
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2020|12|18}}
| LineColor = 982931
| ShortSummary = Still reeling from her encounter with Henrik, Johanne pays her newly single father a visit. Later, Johanne goes drinking with a co-worker.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 9
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = Stuck in the Past
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2020|12|18}}
| LineColor = 982931
| ShortSummary = Johanne visits an ex-boyfriend, hoping for answers about their split. Later, her father accompanies her on an eventful trip to a tattoo studio.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 10
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = Christmas Speed Dating
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2020|12|18}}
| LineColor = 982931
| ShortSummary = Johanne strikes up a conversation with a handsome stranger while her good-natured neighbor, Nick, tries speed dating at a bar.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 11
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = The Perfect Date
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2020|12|18}}
| LineColor = 982931
| ShortSummary = A highly anticipated second date with Knut doesn't go as expected. As Christmas draws nearer, Johanne bumps into a friendly face.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 12
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = Christmas Chaos
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|df=yes|2020|12|18}}
| LineColor = 982931
| ShortSummary = It's Christmas Eve and between not burning the dinner, entertaining her guests and keeping Jonas off her mind, Johanne's just a little busy.
}}
}}
Reception
The series received mostly positive reviews.{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/09/need-watch-netflixs-norwegian-rom-com-series-home-christmas-11414452/|title=You need to watch Netflix's Norwegian rom-com series Home For Christmas|date=9 December 2019|website=Metro}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a30150238/home-for-christmas-netflix-ending-explained-review/|title=WTF You Just Watched: Netflix's 'Home for Christmas'|first=Leah|last=Thomas|date=7 December 2019|website=Cosmopolitan}}{{Cite web|url=https://decider.com/2019/12/05/home-for-christmas-on-netflix-stream-it-or-skip-it/|title=Stream It or Skip It: 'Home for Christmas' on Netflix, Norway's Refreshing Riff on a Hallmark Premise|date=5 December 2019}} Verdens Gang gave it three out of six stars, likening it to a hybrid of Bridget Jones and Love Actually with a pointless narrative, but NRK called it a must-see for fans of Christmas romances and praised it for a well made atmosphere of Christmas hygge (coziness).{{cite web|url=https://p3.no/filmpolitiet/2019/12/hjem-til-jul-s01/|title=Hjem til jul S01NRK|last=Vik|first=Sigurd|date=4 December 2019|website=NRK P3|language=no|archive-url=|archive-date=|accessdate=14 December 2019}}
Leah Thomas of Cosmopolitan said "This soap opera drama series will have your jaw dropping with all the twists turns imaginable. Besides the fact that it's perfectly messy, I love this show because I have no idea who I want Johanne to end up with. Actually, I don't know if I even want her to end up with anyone, and I think that’s the entire point."
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|tt10069398}}
- {{rotten-tomatoes|tv/home_for_christmas}}
Category:Television shows set in Norway
Category:Norwegian drama television series
Category:Norwegian comedy television series
Category:Serial drama television series
Category:2019 Norwegian television series debuts
Category:Netflix television dramas