‘Tulsa King’ Fans Must Watch Steven Van Zandt’s ‘Lilyhammer’

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Following multiple weeks of captivating audiences with his iconic portrayal as the shrewd and trustworthy Silvio Dante in the revolutionary crime drama “The Sopranos“, Steven Van Zandt maintained his run of television triumphs by starring in the 2012 gangster comedy-drama “Lilyhammer“. In this engaging series set apart, Frank “The Fixer” Tagliano embarks on an extraordinary journey from New York City to the named town of Lilyhammer in Norway after he testifies against his previous Mafia companions and is subsequently enrolled in the FBI’s witness protection program.

Over three seasons spanning 24 episodes, Frank undergoes a struggle to adapt not just to unfamiliar surroundings but also to his new persona. However, he learns that old behaviors can be stubbornly persistent, and letting go of his criminal past might prove more challenging than anticipated. If you enjoy the narrative of Tulsa King, where characters Tagliano and Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight “the General” Manfredi are attempting to restart their lives after Mafia involvement, then Lilyhammer will be an excellent follow-up show for you. In essence, both series revolve around former mobsters seeking fresh beginnings in new environments. Let us delve deeper into the captivating aspects of Lilyhammer that make it a compelling choice for binge-watching.

‘Lilyhammer’ Is a Quirky and Engrossing Fish-Out-of-Water Dramedy

Following six seasons portraying Tony Soprano’s trusted confidant and strongman Silvio Dante on the groundbreaking crime series The Sopranos, Steven Van Zandt went on to star in the unfortunately overlooked gangster comedy-drama Lilyhammer. In this captivating series, Van Zandt plays Frank “The Fixer” Tagliano, a former NYC underboss who finds himself in the FBI’s witness protection program after testifying against Aldo Delucci (Thomas Grube), the new Mafia boss and his associates, who attempted to have him killed.

In a fresh start, Tagliano decides to settle down in tranquil Lillehammer, assuming the persona of Norwegian-American immigrant Johnny Henriksen, with the hope that no one from his past will locate him worldwide. Yet, moving from a dominant gangster to an ordinary jobless man brings its own set of obstacles as he grapples with adapting to his new environment. However, when his adversaries intent on revenge in New York find out about his location, the reformed mobster finds himself compelled to defend himself and revert to his old tactics.

‘Lilyhammer’ Becomes Netflix’s First Exclusive Original Series (Sort of)

Steven Van Zandt delivers a captivating performance as Frank “The Fixer” Tagliano, a character reminiscent of his famous Sopranos role, Silvio Dante. Unlike Silvio, Tony’s loyal ally wouldn’t betray the mob; instead, Silvio protected his fellow associates. The similarities between Tagliano and Silvio may stem from the fact that Van Zandt himself played a significant role in creating, producing, and directing Lilyhammer, a Norwegian series backed by Netflix, which first aired on February 6, 2012, gathering an audience of 998,000 viewers, equating to one-fifth of Norway’s total population.

Over the course of its three captivating seasons, the character Tagliano often grapples with the lure of his past criminal life as he adapts to living in a foreign land. He forges friendships with Torgeir Lien, an ex-competitive skier, and Sigrid Haugli, a single mother, while always remaining vigilant against potential retribution from the Mafia. The show presents Tagliano facing various dangers, such as assassins, vicious wolves, hostile motorcycle gangs, and missing children. His unique abilities serve him well in gaining both support and opposition within his new social circle.

Lilyhammer produced an engaging series of 24 episodes, offering a unique twist on the fish-out-of-water storyline. The lively and self-assured performance by David Alan Grier significantly enhanced the captivating blend of drama and comedy. This groundbreaking show marked Netflix’s debut as a co-production in its early days when the streaming service was still making strides towards solidifying its presence. In an interview with Netflix in February 2022, the experienced actor reminisced about the hurdles faced during the creation of this innovative production, as Netflix was then working diligently to build its reputation and offerings. Grier shared his thoughts on Tudum:

During my initial promotional journey, I found myself having to clarify Netflix to the public. I’d say, “It’s similar to Blockbuster, but they create their own content instead.” People were puzzled, thinking, “Why would they do that?” The concept was entirely novel to them. It was a completely fresh idea.

If you’re a fan of Van Zandt and other crime dramas such as Tulsa King and The Sopranos, then you shouldn’t miss out on the groundbreaking series Lilyhammer. This show is guaranteed to satisfy your craving for gangster TV shows while offering countless hours of engaging entertainment, along with a dose of quirky humor, captivating characters, and intricate storylines. The series revolves around an ex-mobster who has relocated to Norway. Lilyhammer currently boasts a 65% Rotten Tomatoes score, earning both an 85% Popcornmeter rating and a 7.9 IMDb score based on over 33,000 user reviews, making it clear that the underappreciated Netflix gem is definitely worth watching.

How To Watch ‘Lilyhammer’

If you’re intrigued about the humble beginnings of Netflix’s streaming dynasty and long to witness their initial exclusive content, I’d be more than happy to share some exciting news! As a fellow admirer, I can tell you that all three seasons of “Lilyhammer” are readily available for your viewing pleasure on Netflix. Interestingly, the first season is also accessible on Prime Video. In an exciting turn of events, Netflix managed to extend their streaming agreement and secure rights to the series until November 2029! So, grab some popcorn, sit back, and immerse yourself in this fascinating journey that marks the beginning of Netflix’s global dominance in the world of streaming entertainment.

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2025-04-06 21:32