The Playlist – Season 1
Director: Per-Olav Sørensen (and Hallgrim Haug)
Cast: Edvin Endre, Ulf Stenberg, Gizem Erdogan, Joel Lützow, Christian Hillborg, Janice Kamya Kavander
The Playlist – Season 1 is a compelling fictionalized drama series, dramatizing the early, turbulent years of Spotify. Inspired by the investigative book Spotify Untold by Sven Carlsson and Jonas Leijonhufvud, the six-episode Swedish miniseries (directed by Per-Olav Sørensen and Hallgrim Haug) premiered globally on Netflix on October 13, 2022 WikipediaPitchforkRotten Tomatoes.
Set against the backdrop of a music industry grappling with piracy and digital disruption, the narrative centers around Daniel Ek (played by Edvin Endre), whose bold vision and technical chops help birth a legal, free music-streaming platform. The series unfolds through multiple perspectives—each episode shines a light on a different character: from a sharp licensing attorney (Gizem Erdogan) navigating tricky deals, to a talented programmer who brings Ek’s dream to life, to co-founder Martin Lorentzon (Christian Hillborg), who bankrolls the venture and reflects on its cost and impact NetflixWikipediaJustWatch. Among the cast also appears Janice Kamya Kavander as Bobbi Thomasson, an aspiring artist confronting Spotify’s business model, and Ulf Stenberg as Per Sundin, a music executive whose resistance to piracy reveals industry tensions PitchforkWikipedia.
Critics and audiences responded warmly. It earned a 100% Tomatometer rating and strong audience reception on Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes. JustWatch data indicates an IMDb score around 7.4/10, reflecting solid appreciation JustWatch. Viewers praised its nuanced portrayal of collaboration, ethical dilemmas, and the high stakes of disrupting entrenched systems.
In essence, The Playlist brings alive the intricate journey behind one of streaming’s biggest success stories. It’s a smart, character-driven drama that balances ambition and consequences—packed into a binge-able six episodes.
The Playlist – Season 1 is a compelling fictionalized drama series, dramatizing the early, turbulent years of Spotify. Inspired by the investigative book Spotify Untold by Sven Carlsson and Jonas Leijonhufvud, the six-episode Swedish miniseries (directed by Per-Olav Sørensen and Hallgrim Haug) premiered globally on Netflix on October 13, 2022 WikipediaPitchforkRotten Tomatoes.
Set against the backdrop of a music industry grappling with piracy and digital disruption, the narrative centers around Daniel Ek (played by Edvin Endre), whose bold vision and technical chops help birth a legal, free music-streaming platform. The series unfolds through multiple perspectives—each episode shines a light on a different character: from a sharp licensing attorney (Gizem Erdogan) navigating tricky deals, to a talented programmer who brings Ek’s dream to life, to co-founder Martin Lorentzon (Christian Hillborg), who bankrolls the venture and reflects on its cost and impact NetflixWikipediaJustWatch. Among the cast also appears Janice Kamya Kavander as Bobbi Thomasson, an aspiring artist confronting Spotify’s business model, and Ulf Stenberg as Per Sundin, a music executive whose resistance to piracy reveals industry tensions PitchforkWikipedia.
Critics and audiences responded warmly. It earned a 100% Tomatometer rating and strong audience reception on Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes. JustWatch data indicates an IMDb score around 7.4/10, reflecting solid appreciation JustWatch. Viewers praised its nuanced portrayal of collaboration, ethical dilemmas, and the high stakes of disrupting entrenched systems.
In essence, The Playlist brings alive the intricate journey behind one of streaming’s biggest success stories. It’s a smart, character-driven drama that balances ambition and consequences—packed into a binge-able six episodes.