Christian Torpe is the creator and writer for the Danish series Rita, which is available in the U.S. on Netflix. In this exclusive interview, Torpe answered some questions about Rita and his work.
Torpe was nominated for “International Producer of the year” and “European producer of the year” at the Monte Carlo Television Festival for the breakthrough hit Rita, which began airing in Denmark in 2012. Before Rita, he wrote for the Danish shows Park Road and Maj & Charlie. He wrote the movies Får and Almost Perfect. The series Rita now has a mini-series spin off called Hjørdis.
The lead actress in Rita was nominated for and won best actress awards for her work in the series.
OAD: Congratulations on Rita. It’s a big hit on Netflix here in the US. I think the main thing on everyone’s mind is will there be a season 4 of Rita? The ending of season 3 could be either a cliffhanger or a finale. I’m hoping it’s a cliffhanger!
CT: What I like about the last episode of season 3 is that it can be both – unlike season 1 and 2 that felt less like an actual ending. When I wrote it, I had no idea if we would do a season 4 (and I still don’t), so I wanted to at least convey the feeling that while it may not be an ending it’s at least the end of a chapter in Rita’s life. If Netflix wants more, then I’m happy to open a new chapter!
OAD: Rita is a fabulous character. Did she come from someone you know in real life or did you simply dream her up? She has so many flaws, but she’s absolutely lovable. How do you see Rita?
CT: There’s a lot of anger in her. Anger is a drug, it prevents you from feeling anything else, which can be handy if you carry a lot of pain, like Rita does. She’s deeply flawed, especially as a parent, but she does the best she can, and that’s really all you can ask of a human being. I guess there’s a lot of myself in her. Hiding behind sarcasm is something I relate to a little too well and she basically says all the things I’m afraid to say out loud.
OAD: Mille Dinesen is so perfect in the role of Rita. How did you pick her for the part?
CT: I wish I could take credit for that, but that’s all on our director, Lars Kaalund – and on Mille of course. We had so many Danish actresses read and Lars kept suggesting Mille. I was reluctant to see her – I knew she was a brilliant actress, but she had just played the Danish Bridget Jones, and I just couldn’t imagine her making the shift from sweet and clumsy to angry and self destructive. Finally she came in and read – and as Lars had known the entire time, she was perfect.
OAD: The other characters on Rita are also wonderful in their parts. Do you have any particular characters you found especially important or really liked? I thought Ellen Hillingsø as Helle was especially compelling.
CT: Ellen is such a great actress and I love writing her character, Helle. Helle is annoying even when she is right – which she often is – and that energy brings out the best/worst in Rita. I have a soft spot for Jeppe as well. I am gay and always wanted to write a gay character where his sexuality was not a problem or a concern or something that made him a victim, but just a backdrop to do a coming of age story.
OAD: I enjoyed Jeppe’s story very much! He was well played by Nikolaj Groth. The character Hjørdis got a spin off mini-series of her own. It will continue with Lise Baastrup as Hjørdis, but no Mille Dinesen as Rita. Tell us about this mini-series called Hjørdis.
CT: It’s a 4 episode special focusing on Hjordis and a group of students who are all misfits in some way, kinda like Hjordis herself. The show is like the Hjordis character: warmer, cuter and more kid-friendly than Rita, something you could watch from age 7 or 8. For me it was such a big challenge doing something without sarcasm, something that was just fun and uplifting, but I love the result and Lise is wonderful in it.
OAD: I know Netflix supported you for season 3 of Rita. Is there anything we Americans can do to encourage Netflix to support a 4th season of Rita? Do you know yet if Hjørdis will be on American Netflix? [Note: Hjordis is now available on Netflix.]
CT: You can write them and tell them you want more! If you succeed, beer is on me. Hjørdis will be on Netflix at some point, not sure when though.
OAD: Both these series are set in a Danish school. Do you have a particular interest in schools as a source of stories? Were you trying to say something about Danish schools with the series Rita, or were you more interested in the characters? Some of the themes you included brought up issues about homosexuals, immigrants, family relationships, women’s health, politics, drugs and more. With Rita as the perpetual iconoclast in the school, you made many important points through her.
CT: For me, it started with the character. As I developed Rita, I fell in love with the idea of a grown woman who was basically still a child. Once I had her, I started looking for an arena where the themes that are present in her – childhood, upbringing, authority, identity – would resonate, and the school was a perfect fit. Then I started looking for school stories and themes I wanted to explore through that arena, but it started with the character.
OAD: You’ve been writing for Danish TV since 2002. With Rita and Hjørdis, you’ve been executive producer as well as writer. Writing is your first love. Are you looking to expand your options in the future? I saw in one of your tweets that acting is definitely out for you.
CT: I’m a firm believer that it takes about 10 years of hard work to master any craft and I have too much respect for the craft that goes into acting or directing to venture into that. Also, acting is up there with flying and sharks and flying sharks when it comes to my biggest fears. Writing is what I love, but when it comes to that, I am curious by nature and want to try out different genres and formats. I did a movie last year with Bille August in a totally different genre and loved it, and I am currently writing a couple of pilots for some US cable networks, which is a lot of fun.
OAD: Ah, best of luck with that. It would be wonderful to see you work directly for the American audience. Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. Is there anything else you’d like to mention about Rita?
CT: Thanks for watching! And hmm. No, nothing except that I am thrilled that Rita resonates with audiences in the US as well! When we did the first season we were sure it was a distinctly local show, from the Danish school system to Rita’s sense of humor, her sarcasm, her sexuality, her sometimes offensive nature – all things we thought we handled in a very Danish way. It’s been so much fun to see that what we thought was Danish was in fact universal.
See also: the Old Ain’t Dead review of Rita.
Featured image of Christian Torpe via BT.
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I love the program Rita and recommend it to all my friends in US. The story is much bigger than a teacher. Can we be our selves or do we have to knuckle under to some mediocre norm…for kids or adults. Rita is so attractive but then she seems so out of control that I felt she needed serious help. The snake/former headmaster is a great character as is the mayor and her son and her house. The successful, taunting student who drives the weak teacher over the edge and Rita’s response was worth the price of admission…especially her crafty comment “notice no witnesses”.
Also when she was challenged “why did you become a teacher ?” and responded with I’ll have to think about it and then later annouced she became a teacher to protect children from their parents…perfect.
The writing is outstanding, the characters are varied and believable and human. More, more, more.
Yes, Jerry, more, more, more. Let Netflix know what you think.
I love the show Rita. More!!!!!
Love Rita and Hjordis! Thank you for this series. Definitely hope to see more.
Thanks for stopping by and for your comment.
Rita is awesome! We’re watching all 3 seasons again. Rita is flawed but she’s also wise. More please, Netflix!
PLEASE DO SEASON FOUR!
Hannah, if you let Netflix know you want a season 4, it will help. I’m tweeting them on the regular to encourage it.
Yeah Rita! Keep it coming! I’ll let Netflix know I’d enjoy more!
Season 4 a.s.ap.
Absolutely loved watching Rita and would be thrilled if there was a Season 4. This is why I’ve got Netflix to watch great shows like this one. Recommending it to all my friends.
I work in US education system and what I love about Rita is the show hits many points that many people wish we could change about our school system (ie. inclusion should be more about the kids abilities, than their disabilities, standardized testing, teachers having the freedom to “teach”, etc.) It also addresses the many types of parents we deal with daily; is the parent always right? Is the school system responsible for morals and values of the child? Yet, as teachers we love the kids and tolerate the challenges. We see the future in our students, unlike others who do not work directly with kids. I think it is because teachers understand that a person does not live forever; but a teacher can have an effect on what happens beyond our own lives. Education is definitely the most important key to human survival; however, it can be our demise if not challenged; as Rita displays in this show. Bravo, for your writing and Rita as another way to challenge the system. Please continue on to Episode 4; we need her encouragement!
SO enjoyed watching Rita. Characters are all so human. Please keep her coming, Netflix!
Yes, please! Waiting patiently in New,Mexico for a season 4 of Rita! I have watched both Hjodes and Rita with my children and enjoyed an intelligent and provocative discussion after we finished each season (re: education, school funding, womens rights, student r u ghts and mixer struggles, etc.) Keep up the excellent work!
Oops! Auto correct 🙂 “modern struggles” & “student rights”
Don’t forget the British viewer’s on Netflix, Rita is so good I actually didn’t mind the subtitles.
Bring it on season 4 will keep me subscribing to Netflix cause there’s not many good series’s on there.
Rita!!! Season 4 and more!
I will be tremendously unhappy if we don’t get at least one more season and even that won’t be enough. Hjordis is not at all interesting in comparison.
It is in the making! Check Nikolaj Groth’s (jeppe) Insta story
JJ, can you provide a link to what you’re talking about?
A truly captivating and eye-opening series. As a student currently in high school, I definitely can relate to the students and somewhat understand their struggles in the education system. Rita is a relentless realist who doesn’t hesitate to put people in check nor does she sugarcoat harsh realities. I too have a couple of witty teachers who are unconventional in their teaching but I wouldn’t mind having a teacher like Rita despite her evident flaws!! Waiting for a season 4!
Maricela, If all high school students were as eloquent as you are, it would be wonderful proof that people like Rita have done their jobs well. Thanks for your comment.
There is a chat icon in the settings/ help centre of Netflix where one can “chat live” to an agent. Here you are able to request shows that you are interested in that Netflix should pursue.
They then pass this over to their creative team who track requests.
Cheers!
Thanks, David
Please from France too we NEED a season 4!!!!!! Please Netflix
My husband and I love Rita, please Netflix release more seasons
I love Rita! What a wonderful show. Being an educator, I love some of the school themes that they address which is obviously universal in all schools: issues with parents, bullying, administration and teacher conflict, standardized testing, inclusion of special needs students…these themes are all seen in US schools. The acting and characters are also great. Please Netflix, I would love to see more seasons!
Jennie from Australia. Loved the series Rita, i watched all 3 series in one day! Well actually a day and a bit. I laughed, i cried much to the amusement of my daughter who has begun to watch it. Would love to see series 4.
Greatings from Sweden. I really loved the series and hope for a season four!
Here from the Netherlands!
Even here is Rita a big hit and i love the series (i watched it 2 times already 🙂 )
Via the live chat I searched contact with Netflix and they say this:
‘Er is nog geen vierde seizoen van Rita geproduceerd / DEZE IS NOG NIET AANGEKONDIGD. ‘
What says: ‘We haven’t make a fourth season of Rita / THIS ISN’T ANNOUNCED YET’
That means that there is a big chance that there comes a fourth season of Rita (in the Dutch way of talking)
Greetings from Holland!
Oh, that’s wonderful news. Your translating skills give me hope!
The only thing I would say is that the subtitles are really leaving a lot out on occasion, and typically it wouldn’t effect the plot or anything but I wish non-danish speakers could see the full meaning and emotion behind what the Danish is actually saying. It does show just how amazing the show is though that even simplified translations won’t lesson the wonderful plot and dialogue
I don’t typically enjoy anything with subtitles, however Rita is a big exception. I absolutely love the writing, the acting, the cast and the casting. It’s an exceptional show! Netflix, please give us more seasons of Rita. 3 seasons just weren’t enough to satisfy all the fans!
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Love the serial one of the best TV serial watched. Rita acting is amaxing
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It’s 2017 and I’m still waiting patiently for a fourth season. Is there ANY news, or are they even talking about it? I need to know!
I have not seen anything about it anywhere. As popular as Rita is, you would think they would keep it going.
The final episode of season 4 airs on October 10 on the original TV channel TV 2 Denmark. Will assume that it ends up on Netflix as well
Keep an eye out starting Oct. 10, Rita fans who depend on Netflix.
Definitely hoping for season 5 of RITA!
Jeppe is played so well by Nikolaj Groth! His life once he is “out” is just a normal teen. Yes he is gay! Skol! He admits it and lives his life without regrets! If we could all live that way, and if we could all be so accepting of ourselves and others, this would be a very different world. I never had the nerve to come out and applaud those whose lives are like the character so well portrayed by Nikolaj Groth as Jeppe!