Norwegian actor Kristofer Hivju is probably best-known to most avid television viewers as the ginger-haired, love-lorn Tormund Giantsbane from HBO’s Game of Thrones. Hivju made an indelible impression as the Wildling with a huge personality who would defend his BFF Jon Snow to the death against dragons, Lannisters, and whatever else stood in their way. In his new series Twin, Hivju gets to play not just one larger-than-life character, but twin brothers who couldn’t be more dissimilar – or more at odds with one another.
Adam and Erik (Hivju) haven’t spoken to one another for fifteen years. Erik has been living his life off the grid, as a surfer bum, while Adam has married the seemingly stable and maternal Ingrid (Rebekka Nystabakk). The couple are raising their two children, rebellious Karin (Mathilde Holtedahl Cuhra) and young Fredrik (Øyvind Samuel Palerud), and trying to put their local vacation business on the map. When Erik reaches out to Adam for help, the two fight each other, rekindling their long-standing fued and starting a chain of events which result in his Adam’s death – with Ingrid complicit. Ingrid is panicked that she will lose her children, her business, and her whole way of life if the police suspect them of murder, so she persuades Erik to pretend to be Adam. But for how long will they need to keep up the subterfuge?
Twin may start out as a thriller, but it soon touches on questions of ethics and even romantic drama. The twists and turns increase with each episode. Hivju is great in the twin lead parts of Erik and Adam. As the lies begin to pile up, he finds himself living in an ever-changing world, which has echoes of screen classics like Double Indemnity and even It’s A Wonderful Life as Erik finds himself having to eulogize … himself. Nystabakk is also excellent as Ingrid, who at times can seem innocent and fragile and at other times suggest someone with the determination of Lady Macbeth. Cuhra also grows into and deepens her character of Karin, who becomes much more than just a bratty teen. Also good is Gunnar Eiriksson as Frank, Erik’s traffic cop pal and surf buddy, who finds himself having to up his investigation game when so many of the facts about the death of his friend just don’t add up.
The limited series from Nordic TV will make its North American streaming debut on MHz Choice Networks on February 4, 2020. The series has eight approximately one-hour episodes. Languages spoken include Norwegian, German, French, and English. The series is subtitled for American viewers in English. The stunning landscapes, which provide not just a backdrop, but an integral part of the events in the story, were filmed in Lofoten, Norway. Twin was co-created by Hivju and lead writer/director Kristoffer Metcalfe. The pair first met in Oslo, Norway in their twenties and developed the story over the years together.
Viewers can enjoy streaming Twin on MHz Choice, which features many international television mysteries, dramas, comedies, and documentaries. Episodes are subtitled in English and available through MHZ’s subscription streaming service. New MHz Choice customers can receive a free seven-day trial to check what the network has to offer.
