Rita (2012)
A Danish drama-comedy about a brilliantly unconventional teacher who wins over her students but clashes spectacularly with the adult world around her.
Rita - Series Information
- Original Title: Rita
- First Air Year: 2012
- Last Air Year: 2020
- Created by: Christian Torpe
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (38 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 40
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Danish
- Spoken Languages: Danish
- First Air Date: February 9, 2012 (United States - TV-14), February 9, 2012 (Germany - 12), February 9, 2012 (France - 12), February 9, 2012 (Brazil - 16), February 9, 2012 (Spain - 13), February 9, 2012 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: TV 2
- Alternative Titles: 리타 (KR)
- Production Companies: Faroe Film
- Production Countries: Denmark
Rita - Plot
Independent, outspoken and adored by her students, private school teacher Rita fares less well with adults.
Rita - Trailer
See the series come to life in the official trailer below.
Where to Watch Rita
Looking for where to watch Rita?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Rita - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Christian Torpe
Main Cast
- Mille Dinesen
- Carsten Bjørnlund
- Lise Baastrup
- Morten Vang Simonsen
- Sara Hjort Ditlevsen
- Nikolaj Groth
- Ellen Hillingsø
- Kristoffer Fabricius
- Alexandre Willaume
- Ferdinand Glad Bach
Writers
- Christian Torpe
- Marie Østerbye
- Jannik Tai Mosholt
- Jenny Lund Madsen
- Simon Oded Weil
Executive Producers
- Keld Reinicke
Rita - FAQs
What makes Rita stand out among Danish TV series?
Rita stands out for its sharp, irreverent portrayal of a teacher who defies every professional cliché. Mille Dinesen's performance is magnetic — raw, funny, and deeply human. The series balances biting workplace comedy with genuine emotional depth, making it one of Denmark's most beloved and internationally recognized exports.
Is Rita worth watching for non-Danish audiences?
Absolutely. Rita earned strong international acclaim and inspired an American remake, proving its universal appeal. The humor is sharp, the characters are richly drawn, and the school setting resonates across cultures. Subtitles are a small price for a series this engaging, and Netflix makes it easy to dive in.
Where can you stream Rita online?
Rita is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. Both options give you access to all five seasons of the Danish original, making it easy to binge the full run of this acclaimed comedy-drama from the comfort of your home.
Did Rita inspire an American remake?
Yes. The success of the Danish original led to an American adaptation titled Rita, which aired on Fox in 2014. The U.S. version starred Katey Sagal in the lead role and followed the same premise of an unconventional teacher navigating school life and personal chaos, though it ran for only one season.
Who plays the lead character in Rita?
Mille Dinesen plays Rita Madsen, the outspoken and fiercely independent school teacher at the heart of the series. Her performance earned widespread praise in Denmark and internationally, bringing warmth, wit, and vulnerability to a character who is simultaneously exasperating and utterly irresistible.
How many seasons and episodes does Rita have?
Rita ran for five seasons, each containing eight episodes, for a total of 40 episodes. The series aired on Danish network TV 2 from 2012 to 2020, giving the show a remarkably consistent structure and allowing the characters to evolve meaningfully across nearly a decade of storytelling.
How was Rita received by critics and audiences?
Rita was warmly received both in Denmark and abroad, praised for its witty writing, strong ensemble cast, and Mille Dinesen's standout lead performance. The series became one of TV 2's most popular productions and gained a loyal international following after landing on Netflix, cementing its reputation as a Nordic gem.
What are some shows similar to Rita worth watching?
If you enjoy Rita, consider Sweetness & Lightning, a warm Japanese drama also centered on everyday life and heartfelt human connections. Big School offers a British comedy take on school staff dynamics, while Suzuki Sensei explores unconventional teaching from a Japanese perspective. All share Rita's blend of humor and emotional sincerity.
More About Rita
Explore further details about Rita on these authoritative resources.