Stayer is the kind of drama that quietly nestles under the skin and stays there. Fittingly, given its title. It traces the messy aftershocks of grief and the fitful, fragile work of rebuilding. The series balances character-driven storytelling with an evocative musical backbone, crafting a world where art, memory and responsibility collide. What begins as a portrait of loss becomes a layered exploration of identity and intergenerational damage, anchored by nuanced performances and tender, textured drama.

Season one opens with Even (Aksel Hennie), a faded rock icon, on stage, depleted and deflective. He’s half-performing, half-enduring, bristling at hecklers who treat his gig like a jukebox (“It’s not Spotify”) and ducking out when the crowd pushes for nostalgia. Offstage, his life is a drain of bad habits: hotel rooms with women far younger than him, an exasperated manager desperately trying to revive his career and Annie (Hannah Elise Adolfsen Fjeldbraaten), the daughter he barely knows.

Parallel to Even’s unravelling, his brother Petter (Jeppe Beck Laursen) and his wife Monica (Marian Saastad Ottesen) spiral through a marriage in free fall; their children, especially Hermine (Alva Schavenius), absorbing the fallout.

The acting is consistently brilliant throughout. Hennie’s portrayal oscillates between arrogance and vulnerability, capturing a man who masks fragility with bravado. His soulful singing voice, tinged with rasp, suggested a life full of excess. Hannah Elise’s Annie is the standout: her grief is messy, visceral and painfully real. From silent devastation to explosive rage, her performance anchors the series emotionally.

The characters of Petter and Monica deliver equally compelling drama; their quiet despair and simmering resentment conveyed through subtle gestures and loaded silences.

Music is not just a backdrop in Stayer; it’s a narrative device. The score is gentle yet layered, mirroring the ebb and flow of grief. Scenes of Annie wandering through her empty home are underscored by melodies that evoke memory and loss, reinforcing the idea that music connects us to what’s gone. Even’s writing sessions, raw and imperfect, contrast neatly with the polished nostalgia of his past fame, underlining his fractured identity. The soundtrack becomes a character in its own right, guiding viewers through emotional terrain without overwhelming the story.

At its heart, the series is about grief, identity and the often fragile threads that bind families together. It explores how loss magnifies loneliness, how fame corrodes authenticity, and how relationships fracture under the weight of secrets and unmet expectations. Annie’s journey embodies the chaos of adolescent grief, while Even’s arc interrogates masculinity, ageing and accountability. The series also touches on societal themes such as celebrity culture and generational disconnect without losing sight of its intimate focus.

Aksel Hennie’s direction favours restraint over flourish. Long takes, close-ups, and deliberate framing create a sense of intimacy, allowing emotions to breathe. The visual palette – dominated by pale blues and dusty yellows – reflects the series’ melancholic tone. Light streams into empty spaces, amplifying Annie’s isolation, while muted hues underscore the emotional fatigue of characters. This understated aesthetic avoids sentimentality, opting instead for quiet realism.

Stayer is meticulously paced – you will fly through all six episodes. However, it resists the temptation to rush through grief or redemption, instead unfolding with patience and authenticity. Emotional beats land because they’re earned, whether it’s Annie’s silent breakdown in a school cafeteria or Petter’s realisation of Monica’s lies. The series balances tension and stillness, ensuring that even its quietest moments hum with significance. Viewers are invited to feel the weight of absence and the fragility of reconnection.

Stayer is a beautifully crafted, emotionally articulate drama that finds truth in restraint. It reminds us that healing is rarely linear, mapping the jagged path from shock to self-reconstruction. Guided by nuanced performances and a quietly piercing score, the series somehow manages to remain tender without veering into cliché.

“Stayer is a thoroughly entertaining drama, bolstered by bright new talent, the exploration of complex familial relationships and a brilliant central turn from Aksel Hennie”.

Season 1 of Stayer is available to stream on Viaplay USA and Viaplay UK.