Pernille

Pernille centers on a woman trying to keep everything together for her children and the people she cares about, often putting others first and putting herself last. She shares two daughters with an ex who’s moved to Copenhagen and behaves self-centeredly, leaving much of the emotional labor to her. The series mixes dry humor with realistic domestic tension as Pernille juggles parenting, work and the daily compromises that come with a fractured family. Episodes focus on small, sharp moments rather than big plot turns, showing how ordinary choices ripple through relationships without revealing any major plot twists or finales.

Released in 2021, the show was created by and stars Henriette Steenstrup, with Jon Ranes, Ebba Jacobsen Öberg and Nils Ole Oftebro rounding out the main cast. It’s a Norwegian production that leans on Steenstrup’s voice both on screen and behind the scenes.

The series didn’t collect major international awards, but it attracted notice from Norwegian critics and viewers for its writing and lead performance. While it wasn’t a big awards-season player globally, local press highlighted the show for its authenticity and Steenstrup’s dual role as creator and star.

Pernille found a way into conversations about modern parenthood and the uneven labor of care. Viewers and commentators pointed to its honest, occasionally awkward scenes as resonant, and Steenstrup’s portrayal became a reference point in discussions about single parenting in Scandinavian TV. The show’s blend of dry comedy and everyday drama made it tidy watercooler material in Norway and among fans of Nordic television.

Critics generally responded positively, and audience scores reflect that tone, with a vote average of 7.829 out of 10 from 38 votes. The series is built around themes of responsibility, compromise and personal limits, using humor to highlight moral gray areas. It feels grounded rather than sensational, offering a portrait of family life that’s often recognizable and sometimes painfully funny.