Two Danish television series are among the four nominees in the international category for this year’s BAFTA TV awards, it was announced yesterday.
The second series of ‘The Killing’ and opening season of ‘Borgen’, both produced by broadcaster Danmarks Radio, will compete for best international series, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts revealed.
While both shows have a healthy, if not fanatical, following, it will be a win for DR – and actor Mikael Birkkjær, who plays in both series – if either takes the top spot.
‘The Killing’, a murder mystery featuring jumper-wearing detective Sarah Lund (Sofie Gråbøl), returns to defend its position, having won the category for the show’s first season last year.
The other homegrown nominee, political drama series ‘Borgen’, follows charismatic politician Birgitte Nyborg (Sidse Babett Knudsen) who unexpectedly becomes Denmark’s first female prime minister.
The two Danish programmes are up against American comedy series Modern Family and Australia’s The Slap – an eight-part television adaptation of Christo Tsisoski’s best-selling book.
Three of the four television series, including the Danish ones, are screened on BBC4, while Sky1 nabs the final spot with Modern Family.
The winner will be unveiled at the Arqiva British Academy Television Awards on Sunday May 27.
