Watch The Half Brother

The Half Brother is a Norwegian drama series that debuted on MHz Worldview in 2013. The show explores themes of family, identity, and legacy through the complex relationship between two half-brothers. As the series begins, we meet young Barnum Nilsen, who is born to a Norwegian mother and an African American soldier stationed in Germany. Shortly after Barnum's birth, his mother dies, and he is sent to Norway to live with his mother's family. Barnum grows up feeling like an outsider, both because of his mixed race heritage and because he doesn't quite fit in with his conservative Norwegian relatives.

Meanwhile, another family is unfolding in Oslo. Fred Nilsen is a successful lawyer with a loving wife, two children, and a beautiful home. However, Fred is hiding a secret: he has another son, a son born out of wedlock to a woman he met while studying in Germany. Kasper is now a young man himself, and when he comes to Oslo to meet his father for the first time, Fred is forced to confess his secret to his family.

From here, the series explores the complicated relationship between Barnum and Kasper. While they are brothers, they come from vastly different worlds. Barnum is struggling to find his place in Norwegian society, where he is often treated as an outsider because of his race. Kasper, on the other hand, is privileged and well-educated, but he has never known the love of a father.

As the series progresses, we see the brothers struggle with their own demons while also trying to forge a relationship with each other. Barnum is haunted by the memories of his mother and the prejudice he faces in Norway. Kasper, meanwhile, is struggling to come to terms with his own identity and the fact that his father has kept him hidden from his family for so long.

What makes The Half Brother so compelling is the way it weaves these themes together in a way that feels both universal and specific to Norway. The show doesn't shy away from exploring the complexities of race, identity, and family, but it does so in a way that is thoughtful and nuanced. At its heart, The Half Brother is a story about two people trying to connect in a world that seems to be pulling them apart.

The performances in the show are outstanding, particularly those by the two lead actors, Frank Kjos