What Is The First Netflix Original Series Most People Forgot About
- 01. What Is the First Netflix Original Series?
- 02. Why Most People Forget Lilyhammer
- 03. Key Differences Between Lilyhammer and House of Cards
- 04. The Timeline of Netflix's First Original Series
- 05. Why This Matters for Understanding Streaming History
- 06. Other Early Netflix Original Series (2013-2015)
- 07. The Bottom Line on Netflix Original History
What Is the First Netflix Original Series?
The first Netflix Original series is Lilyhammer, which premiered globally on February 6, 2012-exactly one year before House of Cards launched on February 1, 2013. Starring Steven Van Zandt (from The Sopranos) as a mobster in witness protection in Lillehammer, Norway, this Norwegian-American co-production proved audiences would binge-watch entire seasons online.
Why Most People Forget Lilyhammer
Despite being Netflix's official first original series, Lilyhammer remains obscure because House of Cards generated far more cultural impact as Netflix's first fully commissioned American prestige drama. Netflix itself celebrated Lilyhammer's 10th anniversary in 2022, explicitly calling it "our actual first original series".
Key Differences Between Lilyhammer and House of Cards
| Aspect | Lilyhammer | House of Cards |
|---|---|---|
| Premiere Date | February 6, 2012 | February 1, 2013 |
| Production Type | Norwegian-American co-production | Fully commissioned by Netflix |
| Seasons | 3 seasons (2012-2014) | 6 seasons (2013-2018) |
| Emmy Nominations | 1 Primetime Emmy nomination | Multiple Emmy wins |
| Cultural Impact | Niche cult following | Global phenomenon |
The Timeline of Netflix's First Original Series
- February 6, 2012: Lilyhammer premieres as Netflix's first original series
- April 2013: House of Cards releases all 13 episodes simultaneously, pioneering the binge-release model
- April 2013: Hemlock Grove becomes Netflix's third original series, premiering two months after House of Cards
- 2013-present: Netflix releases steady stream of original series across all genres
Why This Matters for Understanding Streaming History
Lilyhammer's significance lies in proving the binge model before House of Cards made it mainstream. As Netflix's first exclusive show distributed globally, it demonstrated that audiences would commit to full-season viewing online. Without this pioneering step, the streaming revolution might never have gained momentum.
Other Early Netflix Original Series (2013-2015)
- House of Cards: Political drama that propelled Netflix into prestige television
- Hemlock Grove: Horror series from Eli Roth, Netflix's third original
- Marco Polo: Historical epic with massive production budget
- Orange Is the New Black: Comedy-drama that became early breakout hit
- Chef's Table: Documentary series establishing Netflix's non-fiction prowess
The Bottom Line on Netflix Original History
While House of Cards deserves credit for transforming Netflix into a major studio competitor, Lilyhammer holds the official title as the first Netflix Original series based on release dates and production listings. Both series together represent the birth of Netflix Originals: Lilyhammer as the first step, House of Cards as the true breakthrough.
Helpful tips and tricks for What Is The First Netflix Original Series Most People Forgot About
What was the first Netflix Original series?
Lilyhammer, premiering February 6, 2012, starring Steven Van Zandt as a mobster in Norway.
Is House of Cards the first Netflix Original?
No-House of Cards (February 1, 2013) was Netflix's first fully commissioned American original, but Lilyhammer came first overall.
Why do people think House of Cards was first?
House of Cards generated massive cultural impact and multiple Emmy wins, while Lilyhammer remained a niche cult show.
How many seasons did Lilyhammer run?
Lilyhammer ran for 3 seasons from 2012 to 2014, earning Netflix's first Primetime Emmy nomination.
