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From award-winning director Bård Breien (The Art of Negative Thinking) and featuring some of Norway’s top cast and creatives, the bold, bittersweet and offbeat Viaplay Original comedy-drama In the Name of Love, makes its exclusive U.S. and U.K. debuts on the Viaplay streaming service on Monday, September 8, 2025. Inspired by director Breien’s unconventional childhood, this eight-part series follows the Bang family who built their fortune through underground porn in conservative 1970s Norway.  Two new episodes will premiere weekly every Monday through September 29.  

In present day, one of their sons, Balder, hopes for a peaceful family gathering at his daughter’s baptism—until his estranged father, Lars, arrives uninvited, dragging decades of buried secrets back into the open. What follows is a provocative, heartfelt journey through the past of two brothers – Balder and Bjørnar (their grownup roles played by real-life brothers Jakob and Jonas Oftebro) raised by two very different parents: Lars, a wealthy porn businessman who viewed eroticism as a political and social protest, and their mother, Anne-Lise, a discreet feminist and primary school teacher determined to keep the business a secret.

Blending coming-of-age drama, dark comedy, and emotional family reckoning, In the Name of Love charts the rise and fall of a family empire built on adult entertainment from the 1970s into the 1990s in conservative Norway—through the VHS boom, censorship crackdowns, and shifting social norms. As past and present collide, Balder is forced to confront the legacy he tried to leave behind—and ask whether love can survive the truth.

Created by director Bård Breien, whose award-winning work includes The Art of Negative Thinking, Havnaa and Next Summer, In the Name of Love (I kjærlighetens navn) is written by Breien alongside Erlend Loe (Listen Up!, Kamikaze, Nr. 24) and Eske Troelstrup (Havnaa, Below the Surface). The series is produced by Finn Gjerdrum (Quisling, Utøya: July 22, Dancer in the Dark) and Rebecca Mathiesen (The Commoner) for Paradox.

The standout ensemble cast features Maria Bonnevie (Another Round, Exit, Becoming Astrid) as Balder’s mother, Anne-Lise; Trond Espen Seim (Mammon, The Legacy, Power Play, Limbo) as Balder’s father, Lars, Jakob Oftebro (Vanguard, Black Crab, Hamilton, Kon-tiki) as Balder, Jonas Oftebro (Havnaa, The Trip, Ragnarok) as Balder’s brother Bjørnar, and Ingrid Giæver (Havnaa, Dreams (Sex, Love), Headhunters).

(Viaplay Original series, 8 x 30’, Norwegian with English subtitles)

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COMING UP ON VIAPLAY US: 

·         Thursdays, July 24-August 7: The Congregation, Season 2: Bride of Christ (Knutby) – The return of the gripping, award-winning Swedish true crime drama series following the infamous Knutby Pentacostal cult defined by abuse, infidelity, threats and feverish prophecies 

·         Thurs., Aug 7: Four Hands Menu (English, US Premiere) – Six-part food and lifestyle series featuring star chef Niklas Ekstedt celebrates culinary artistry and innovation with some of the world’s most renowned chefs filmed in breathtaking locations

·         Thurs., Aug 14: Food & Fire with Niklas Ekstedt (English, US Premiere) - Nominated for ‘Lifestyle Program of the Year’ at the ‘Swedish Emmys,’ Michelin chef Niklas Ekstedt embarks on a six-country journey to explore the traditions behind open-fire cooking, a tradition dating back over two million years

·         Thurs., Aug. 14: It Could Have Been Us (US Premiere) – Feature film sheds light on the harsh realities of exclusion while offering glimpses of resilience, hope, and moments of joy as Emma Örtlund and Ida Johansson, from the 'Catwalk' docuseries, explore the historical treatment of individuals with disabilities

·         Sun., Aug. 24: Solo – Young adult miniseries on talented next-generation musicians and dancers who confront challenges and distractions as they chase their dreams in Norway's vibrant arts scene 

·         Thursdays, Aug. 28:  Live Life, Season 2 (US Premiere) - The return of Swedish Emmys’ ‘Best Youth Drama’ nominee following the emotional and uplifting story of a young woman facing cancer,’ featuring guest star Sofia Helin (The Bridge)

About Viaplay:

The Viaplay streaming service features thousands of hours of premium Nordic and European series and films from Scandinavia's largest and most recognized television/streaming platform. Viaplay’s US content offering focuses on the Nordic region’s high-quality and psychologically penetrating titles: from atmospheric and suspenseful crime dramas and provocative and stylish young adult series to award-winning dramas and riveting documentaries. On par with the best on television, Viaplay series feature first-rate production values, incredible scenery, award-worthy acting, and edge-of-your-seat storylines. Viaplay is available as an add-on subscription on Prime Video Channels, The Roku Channel, Comcast Xfinity, and more for only $5.99 a month. All titles are available in their original language with English subtitles. Link: http://amazon.com/video/viaplayus

 Press Contacts:

Chad Campbell, Head of PR, Viaplay SVOD – chad.campbell@viaplaygroup.com 

Eddie Ward, On behalf of Viaplay - 917-864-6446 / eddie@eddiewardPR.com