---
title: 'US & UK: Powerful Family Drama STAYER debuts in January'
url: 'https://press.viaplaygroup.com/post/us-uk-powerful-family-drama-stayer-debuts-in-january'
author: 'Viaplay Group AB (publ) is the international streaming challenger.'
published: '2025-12-18T18:09:11+00:00'
updated: '2025-12-18T18:09:11+00:00'
description: "\_\r\nNew Powerful Family Drama\r\nSTAYER, Season 1\r\nExclusive US Debut Thursday, January 15, 2026 \r\nExclusive UK Debut Monday, January 12, 2026\r\non Viaplay\r\n\_\r\nStar/Director/Songwriter: Aksel Hennie (The Martian, Sisu as the lead villain, Headhunters)"
image: 'https://frontend-assets.clipsource.com/6310ab6ab955c/via-6310ac3f03388/2025/12/18/69444086853dd_thumbnail.jpeg'
category: 'Series News'
language: en
---
# US & UK: Powerful Family Drama STAYER debuts in January
**New Powerful Family Drama**
**STAYER, Season 1**
**Exclusive US Debut Thursday, January 15, 2026**
**Exclusive UK Debut Monday, January 12, 2026**
**on Viaplay**
**Star/Director/Songwriter: Aksel Hennie (*The Martian, Sisu* as the lead villain*, Headhunters*)**
****
 
**\*Hi-res images available to download at the bottom of the page**
**Watch** [**Trailer**](https://youtu.be/F1JDYBR8iMw)
**Interview Opp: Aksel Hennie** (lead, director, songwriter), the Norwegian superstar known for his standout roles in last year’s global hit **Sisu** and Matt Damon’s **The Martian**, is available for interviews*.*
Discover a powerful international series to start the new year - an original Norwegian drama that plays like an American prestige drama series. From the producers of Nordic hits ***Pørni*/*Pernille*** and ***Furia*** and led by Norwegian superstar **Aksel Hennie** (*The* *Martian, Sisu, Headhunters*) – who also directs – **Stayer** is a heartfelt, music-infused series about an aging rock musician confronting his greatest challenge: the sudden death of the mother of his child. Struggling with grief, past choices, and the demands of fame, he must find a way back to life through music and fatherhood. **Stayer, Season 1** begins its exclusive debut on the Nordic streaming service [Viaplay](http://amazon.com/video/viaplayus) on **Thursday, January 15, 2026 in the U.S. and Monday, January 12, 2026 in the U.K.**, with two episodes at launch, then two episodes weekly through Jan. 29 and January 26.
Even, a rock star who left his hometown of Eidsvoll years ago to focus on his music career, is suddenly forced to return to care for his 16-year-old daughter Annie **(Hannah Elise Adolfsen Fjeldbraaten)**, whom he hasn’t seen in years. Confronted with a father that once abandoned her, Annie must navigate trust and forgiveness, while Even struggles to balance the demands of his career with his new role as a parent.
Series creator is **Pia Lykke**. In addition to Aksel Hennie and rising star Hannah Elise Adolfsen Fjeldbraaten, the impressive ensemble cast includes **Jeppe Beck Laursen** (*The Last Kingdom*) and **Marian Saastad Ottesen** (*Lilyhammer*).
(6 x 33-38 mins each, Norwegian with English subtitles)
**COMING UP ON VIAPLAY US:**
· Thurs., Dec. 25: **American Runestone, Season 1** (New to Viaplay) – The fast-paced English-language docuseries follows the journey of *Fargo* and *Prison Break* actor **Peter Stormare** and history enthusiast **Elroy Balgaard** as they set out to solve the mystery surrounding the Kensington Runestone – an artifact that, if proven authentic, will rewrite the history of North America. ([Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBSPoVji53E))
· Thurs., Jan 8: **Sport vs. Money with Simon Jordan** (English-Language, U.S. Premiere) – With unprecedented access and sharp insight, **Simon Jordan** - the Premier League’s youngest-ever owner - travels the globe to explore the high-stakes collision between football (soccer) and business - and asks: who really owns the game now? (4-part docuseries) **(**[**Trailer**](https://youtu.be/noQlC7hopIU)**)**
· Thurs., Jan 22: **The Curse** (Feature Film, U.S. Premiere) – Two sisters plagued by relentless misfortune discover a family curse and embark on a comical quest to end it, even if it means outwitting their cursed yet cunning aunt. Led by Polish superstars **Vanessa Aleksander (The Office PL, *Dancing with the Stars* PL winner)**, **Agnieszka** Więdłocha** and **Danuta Stenka** (*The Wedding*). **(**[**Trailer**](https://youtu.be/Xehlmz3zEFU)**)**
· Thurs., Jan 29: **Scenes After a Marriage** (U.S. Premiere) – This short-form drama series strips relationships down to their core, creating an intimate and emotionally charged chamber play. With just one location, two deeply complex characters, and dialogue that oscillates between sharp humor and raw emotion, it captures the universal struggles of love, loss, and the uncertainty of divorce. From an acclaimed screenwriter of *The Bridge* and *Top Dog* and featuring a stellar cast led by **Ardalan Esmaili** (*Lockerbie* with Colin Firth*, The Helicopter Heist*) and **Eva Röse** (*Maria Wern, Honour)*. (8x18’)
**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: