Speaking for and to the nation? Borgen and the cultural viability of public service broadcasting in Denmark and Germany

The article compares and contrasts the reception of DR’s political drama series Borgen (2010–13) in Denmark and Germany. Whilst German audiences are au fait with a number of Danish primetime drama series, public opinion of the shows can diverge considerably. One such example is the reception of Borgen. Even if the critics’ reaction was for the most part positive in both countries, reviews differ in tone and content. Among other issues, this is particularly apparent when critics relate the drama to a much broader discussion of public service broadcasting.