--- title: "Borgen: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/borgen/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/borgen" critics_score: 82 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Borgen (2010): what the critics said Critics' score 82 from 9 reviews: 9 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are unanimous: every notice we have read is positive, and most critics call Borgen compelling before they call it anything else. The praise gathers around Sidse Babett Knudsen as Birgitte Nyborg, whose prime minister is found sympathetic, principled and, as the series goes on, harder than she started. Critics also credit the writing for making coalition politics watchable, for its interest in women holding power and the double standards they meet, and for asking repeatedly what idealism costs once you are in office. Those who return for the later series report that it loses none of its grip. The spread is narrow, running from good to very good rather than dividing anyone. Such reservations as exist come from one direction. Den of Geek finds the politics simplified and the episodic structure limiting, and thinks the show is closer to personal drama than to political insight. The Times, warm but cooler than the rest, notices how often it is funny. Nobody dislikes it. ## Radio Times — Lewis Knight Rating 5 stars. 25 May 2022. The critic calls the fourth season a triumphant return for the Danish political drama, highlighting Birgitte Nyborg's evolution into a more ruthless figure amid conflicts over Greenland oil drilling, climate policy, and power versus principles. Praise centers on the strong performances by Sidse Babett Knudsen and Birgitte Hjort Sorensen, the timely themes, and the series' focus on women in power. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/borgen-season-4-power-glory-review/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 January 2012. Borgen is a fantastically compelling and intricate drama about politics, gender, change and power, with great characters. It is the best Danish TV drama since The Killing. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/jan/07/tv-review-borgen-sherlock) ## Evening Standard — Nick Curtis Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 18 November 2013. The review of the third and final season praises the series as ridiculously compelling, noting it has lost none of its edge, rich texture, or focus on compromise, the personal-political divide, and strong female characters. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/review-borgen-bbc-4-8942987.html) ## The Telegraph — Clive James Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 20 January 2012. The reviewer finds the Danish political drama highly engaging and far from boring, praising its tight narrative, emotional range, and the winning, nuanced performance of Sidse Babett Knudsen as the liberal, principled politician Birgitte Nyborg. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9027411/Clive-James-on...-Sherlock-Borgen-and-Public-Enemies.html) ## IndieWire — Aljean Harmetz Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 4 October 2013. The review praises Borgen's return for season 3, emphasizing its blend of political intrigue and psychological depth in following the characters' arcs. It highlights the show's compelling exploration of power dynamics and personal tolls as a standout quality. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/review-borgen-in-all-its-political-and-psychological-glory-is-back-for-season-3-195761/) ## The Independent — Gerard Gilbert Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 January 2012. The preview highlights Borgen as a compelling political thriller from the makers of The Killing, centering on a trailblazing female prime minister played by Sidse Babett Knudsen, and notes its strong ensemble of female characters and focus on integrity amid coalition politics. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/hei-fi/entertainment/there-is-nothing-like-a-dane-6285203.html) ## The Times — Andrew Billen Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 9 January 2012. Borgen is The Killing with no killing—a political thriller with integrity that is frequently funny and examines idealism versus pragmatism. It features a sympathetic central performance by Sidse Babett Knudsen as an idealist prime minister. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/weekend-tv-borgen-2n0rfgcs0jg) ## Den of Geek — Liam Macleod Rating 4/5. 21 February 2012. The critic praises the series as an accessible political drama with strong performances, especially from Sidse Babett Knudsen and Pilou Asbæk, and universal political themes. They single out the episodic structure and overly simplified politics for complaint, noting it leans more toward personal drama than deep political insight. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/borgen-series-1-dvd-review/) ## Paste — Kaitlin Thomas Rating 8.9. 2 June 2022. The new season continues the series' strong exploration of women navigating power and politics, offering fresh takes on familiar themes like personal sacrifice and ambition. It singles out the show's handling of double standards for women in leadership and its prescient commentary on climate and international relations. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/borgen/borgen-power-and-glory-review) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/borgen.md