Show Guide: 'The Fortress'

Synopsis: 2037, the inhabitants of Norway enjoy sheltered lives in a self-sufficient Nordic paradise. But when a deadly pandemic breaks out, they soon realize the wall supposed to protect them is now holding them prisoner.

Set in an eerily familiar 2037 Bergen, “The Fortress” is a chic isolationist parable thriller where Norway has chosen to sever all ties with the rest of the world. Surrounded by an enormous wall, the nation has become entirely self-sufficient. ​

The fortunate inhabitants enjoy a life of well-being and safety. However, when there’s an outbreak of a fatal disease, they soon find themselves trapped behind the wall built to protect them. (Courtesy Viaplay, 2024)

The Cast:
Tobias Santelmann as Grieg Amund Heyerdahl
Russell Tovey as Charlie Oldman
Selome Emnetu as Esther Winter
Eili Harboe as Ariel Mowinkel
Samuel Eide as Johannes
Karen Rødland Thowsen as Hilde
Dominic Allburn as Leo Winter
Preben Hodneland as Geir Hammer
Gabija Jaraminaite as Ruta
Emil Frotjold as Rune
Trond Høvik as Wilhelm Krohn
Peiman Azizpour as Arman
Hallvard Holmen as Major
Rebekka Nystabakk as Ingvild Kamfjord
Alexandra Gjerpen as Anette
Kingsford Siayor as Kaptein Aksel
Pia Tjelta as Zara Sandberg
Heidi Goldmann as Captain Bjørk

Production Credits:

The Episodes:
Season One Episode Guide (Viaplay)
1-01 A New Start
When a contagious salmon disease breaks out in Norway, Esther Vinter must look after the food supply in the country; Uma, Charlie and their daughter Hope are on the run for a chance at a better life in Norway.

1-02 Infected From Outside
Charlie manages to enter Norway as a migrant worker with Hope; Ester is busy securing the food supply but Pantogena, the salmon producer, turns out to be uncooperative; Ariel is questioned by Zara, the PM's closest employee.

1-03 Yersina Pestis
Esther is busy identifying the source of the disease when the bacteria appear in an unlikely place; Charlie runs the risk of being deported; Ariel is assigned her first big job: to write a speech preventing panic from spreading in Bergen.

1-04 Secrets
Esther approaches a politician for help to reveal the source of the disease; Leo pleads with Esther to leave Bergen before she catches it; Charlie, believed to be infected with the disease, is to be sent away from the farm where he works.

1-05 Black Level
Esther is pressured to develop a vaccine against the resiliently mutating bacterium; PM Heyerdahl employs stringent measures to prevent the disease from spreading; Charlie gets progressively sick; Ariel's brother wants her to join him.

1-06 A New Way
Esther works on developing a vaccine but is shocked to learn the bacterium is turning more aggressive; on the verge of death, Charlie is saved at the last minute; PM Heyerdahl's drastic decision forces Ariel to reconsider her loyalty.

1-07 The Savior
Some help from an unlikely source leads Esther to discover the bacterium's natural combatants; Heyerdahl and Zara bump heads over his plan to save Norway.