There are some scripted shows that feel as if their stories were ripped out of today's headlines, even though that turns out not to be the case. That's certainly what you feel when you watch The Fortress, a new series that premieres today in the United States on the Nordic streamer Viaplay.
In the series, Europe is on the brink of collapse following some vaguely defined global pandemic and economic turmoil that has led to massive waves of people immigrating across the continent in search of stability and a better life. Norway opts to shut itself off from the rest of the world and become self-sufficient. It builds a massive wall across its border and creates massive new farms to feed itself without having to import anything.
That idea seems to work until a series of outbreaks hits the food supply and then the people. And suddenly, that border wall becomes a way for the rest of the world to shut Norway away as it grapples with a collapse.
Eili Harboe (Succession’s final season, The Architect) plays Ariel, a young speech writer for Norway's Prime Minister who finds herself slowly becoming embroiled in the political machinations surrounding the efforts to save the country from a growing disaster.
I recently spoke via Zoom with Eili, who talked about her character, the strange way the series resonated with the real world news of the past few years and the importance of following your moral compass.
The interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
What did you think when you read the script the first time? Because even though it's set a little bit in the future, a lot of the issues that are part of the premise - the pandemics, the wrangling over immigration - feel very true to what's happening today.
Yes, definitely. And the funny thing was that this script was actually written way before the Corona pandemic hit. So it was almost like a foreshadowing of what we've already been through. And, of course, they had to adjust some of the dialogue and I think that the series actually was postponed because of the pandemic. So that was kind of ironic also, and just gave a second layer to it.
I was very intrigued by the script, I was very intrigued by the portrayal of the different characters involved, and especially when you talk about the immigration and what Norway is facing now especially, which is a current discussion in our society about the agricultural heritage and how we used to be more like a traditional farmers country, and pretty self sufficient. Whereas nowadays, we're completely relying on imported goods, and especially fresh produce. So I think that part of the story is also very interesting.
Just from a U.S. point of view, as I was watching the series, it felt very similar to the way I think a lot of Americans see Norway. This idea that we are self-sufficient, we don't need anybody else, we can do it on our own. That certainly matches my impression of a lot of Norwegians in general. But is that actually the case?
I feel like it depends. I think that's a very interesting outside perspective. I feel like yes, we are a very small country. And even though we are not part of the European Union specifically, we're part of the US agreement. And we're also a big part of NATO and very involved in that part of the world as well.
But yeah, I think there's a strong sense of being independent. And the increase in oil discovery in the end of the 60s and the boost to the economy that was, I feel that sort of changed the perspective as well. In a good and bad sense. But it's a complex matter.
Let's talk a little bit about your character. Particularly in the first couple of episodes, it's very clear that she's not giving up too much about herself. As a viewer, you don't really get a sense of what's going on with her. As an actress, is it a difficult thing to do to make sure you're dialed in to where you need to be so that as she evolves as the show goes on that you've started in the right spot?
Yes. I think to me, Ariel was a very new kind of character for me personally, because she's very ambitious but she strives to be professional in such a way that she's it's kind of off-putting and of course, she's very ambitious. But the more she's recognized for her work, she becomes like a silent narcissist. And there is a destructive demeanor in a sense as well. So she's more mysterious in a way where she's kind of lurking in the shadows.
You mentioned her ambition. And that's sort of the theme through her journey and the journey of a lot of people on the show. This idea that you're balancing ambition and the greater good while trying to be truthful to what's going on. What's your sense of how she's internalizing that as she's going along? Because she has to make some decisions along the way of, is this what I want to do? Is this where I want to go?
Yes, definitely. I think you throughout the series, you definitely see that she's faced with her personal struggles, in relation to her brother, and so on. But I think her moral compass is definitely pointed in more of a power hungry direction.
It's the most empathetic analysis towards the character I'm portraying, but as an actress it's interesting playing that sort of nuanced character, as opposed to something more obvious.
It's interesting, because a lot of times I'll talk to someone who played a pretty evil character, and they'll tell me, "Well, you know, I understand the person and I sort of have a grudging admiration for this person. " But you sound really conflicted about whether you like Ariel at all after playing her.
Yeah, but as you as mentioned, it's very different. When you work with a character you find a way to be empathetic towards her or him and find a way to grasp their conflict. And I think I did accomplish that during the shoot, but watching, I'm entertained, but I don't think I'm rooting for them.
Is there a part of you that thinks it might be fun to have this lack of a moral compass for a couple of days and just be able to do what you want to do and not worry about it?
There are definitely so many shows that feature characters that are not traditionally heroic and you still enjoy watching them. And I shouldn't say you're rooting for them, but you root for their destructiveness because it's like entertaining. But I don't know if I am interested in being that in real life because of my moral compass.
We talked a little bit about how relevant the show is to what's going on now in the world. What do you hope that people take away from the series? It deals with a lot of pretty serious subjects. And I think it's relevant no matter where you live, it doesn't have to be a Norwegian story.
No, definitely not, I think in terms of immigration, and in terms of the agricultural issues. Which is a huge thing in Norway and in other countries as well. They are co-dependent on each other, so what should that look like? Should we still support farmers? I think there are a lot of problematic things that come up in the series that seems relevant to today in real life. For me, I think the series is the more dystopian outcome.
Doing a movie like this, does this tempt you at all to get involved in politics? Ariel is right in the center of things and able to change policy. Is that tempting at all for you just personally?
I mean, I'm a supportive member of a party in Norway, but I wouldn't like to be a part of the political process in that sense. I wouldn't want to be working for the prime minister or anything like that, no.
Well, there's that pesky moral compass you have that would get in the way. Let's wrap this up with this question. Is there a particular scene with Ariel that you think wow, this really sort of encompasses what I think she's about?
I think that's a interesting question. I think when she's first ashamed of being exposed as the Twitter character. And then she becomes very,
I don't know how to express that emotion, but moved by the fact that it helps her. So she's touched by it and also feels proud.
I feel like in that scene she has a journey of emotions that was important for me to portray. The humbleness and the feeling like she's been exposed and then feeling proud for being recognized for what she's accomplished. So I think that's the scene I'd choose.
The Fortress premieres Tuesday, July 16th, 2024 on Viaplay.
