Better Times (2004)
A beloved Danish drama tracing two families through three decades of social change and the birth of television in Denmark.
Better Times - Series Information
- Original Title: Krøniken
- First Air Year: 2004
- Last Air Year: 2007
- Created by: Stig Thorsboe
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 22
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Danish
- Spoken Languages: Danish
- Networks: DR1
- Production Companies: DR TV
- Production Countries: Denmark
- Alternative Titles: Krøniken (DK), Better Times (US)
Better Times - Plot
Krøniken is a Danish television drama which aired on Sunday evenings between January 2004 and January 2007. The 22-episode series relates the lives of two fictional families during the historical development of the Danmarks Radio television network from the 1950s to the 1970s. Created by Stig Thorsbøe for the DR broadcast-television network, the series debuted on 4 January 2004. The program's first season set popularity records. Five of the episodes were listed among the ten most watched television programs since records began in Denmark in 1992. The first season finale topped the list with 2,717,000 viewers. In 2004, the program was nominated for the International Emmy Award for Best Drama but lost to Waking the Dead. The series concluded with the 22nd episode airing on 1 January 2007 and watched by 2.4 million viewers.
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Better Times - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Stig Thorsboe
Main Cast
- Anne Louise Hassing
- Ken Vedsegaard
- Waage Sandø
- Stina Ekblad
- Maibritt Saerens
- Anders W. Berthelsen
- Dick Kaysø
- Pernille Højmark
- Anette Støvelbæk
- Peter Hesse Overgaard
Writers
- Stig Thorsboe
- Hanna Lundblad
Better Times - FAQs
Is Better Times based on a true story?
Better Times is not based on a single true story, but it is deeply rooted in real history. The series chronicles the rise of Danmarks Radio television from the 1950s to the 1970s, weaving fictional families into the authentic social and cultural changes that transformed Danish society during those decades.
How many viewers did Better Times attract in Denmark?
Better Times was a record-breaking phenomenon in Denmark. Five of its episodes ranked among the ten most-watched programs since records began in 1992. The Season 1 finale drew 2,717,000 viewers — the highest ever recorded — and the series finale in January 2007 still attracted 2.4 million viewers.
Where can you stream Better Times?
Better Times is currently available to stream through Viaplay Amazon Channel as a flatrate subscription option. Availability may vary by region, so check your local streaming services for the most up-to-date viewing options.
Was Better Times nominated for any international awards?
In 2004, Better Times received an International Emmy Award nomination for Best Drama Series — a remarkable achievement for a Danish production. It ultimately lost to the British crime series Waking the Dead, but the nomination cemented its status as one of Denmark's most acclaimed television dramas.
Who created Better Times and who wrote it?
Better Times was created by Stig Thorsboe for the DR broadcast network. The scripts were written by Stig Thorsboe and Hanna Lundblad, whose collaboration gave the series its richly layered portrayal of Danish family life and the country's evolving media landscape across three pivotal decades.
What time period does Better Times cover?
The series spans roughly three decades of Danish history, from the 1950s through the 1970s. This era saw Denmark undergo profound social transformation, and Better Times uses the growth of the Danmarks Radio television network as a backdrop to explore how those changes affected ordinary families.
How many seasons and episodes does Better Times have?
Better Times ran for five seasons between January 2004 and January 2007, comprising 22 episodes in total. The first season was the longest with 10 episodes, while later seasons were shorter, and the series concluded with a final episode that still drew 2.4 million viewers across Denmark.
What are some shows similar to Better Times?
If you enjoyed Better Times, you might appreciate other character-driven dramas such as Unit One, Those Who Kill, and The Sommerdahl Murders for more Scandinavian storytelling, or Brothers and Sisters and Parenthood for similarly intimate family sagas with strong ensemble casts and multigenerational narratives.
More About Better Times
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