An epic tale that spans decades, War Sailor tells the stories of Norwegian sailors who unknowingly became part of the war effort in World War II, and the families who waited years for their return. The limited series, adapted from the 2022 feature film by writer-director Gunnar Vikene (Vegas, Borderline, Pørni), was inspired by real events. You can watch it now on Netflix.

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Kristoffer Joner

Freddy is married with three kids, but is short on money to support them. After getting a months-long job at sea, he finds out that he and his crewmates have been conscripted until the war ends. 

Joner is known for his roles in Mission Impossible: Fallout, The Wave and The Revenant. 

Pål Sverre Hagen

Wally is Freddy’s best friend who, before they shipped out, was often at Freddy and his wife Cecilia’s house visiting them and their children. As the years wear on, Wally becomes increasingly concerned about getting himself — and Freddy — back home safe. 

Along with his roles in Troubled Water, Kon-Tiki and In Order of Disappearance, Hagen is best known as the lead in the drama series Exit, which he appears in alongside War Sailor co-star Ine Marie Wilmann. 

Stian Servoss/Mer Film

Ine Marie Wilmann

Cecilia is quietly devastated that her husband, Freddy, has to leave. While he’s gone, her and their three children struggle to make ends meet in German-occupied Norway — never knowing if they’ll see Freddy again.

An Amanda Awards winner for best actress, Wilmann starred in the films Troll, Sonja: The White Swan and Homesick and in the drama series Exit. 

Henrikke Lund-Olsen

After reading the news that Germany blew up a boat from Bergen, Freddy’s daughter, Maggie, is furious when she finds out her dad landed a long-term job on a ship. Though he tries to comfort her, she is inconsolable and tries to stop him from going. 

War Sailor is Lund-Olsen’s screen debut. 

Leon Tobias Slettbakk

A sailor who ended up on the ship with Freddy and his crewmates after his boat was torpedoed by the Germans. When he begins sailing, he’s only 15 years old. The crewmates are protective of him given his age. Freddy becomes sort of a father figure — teaching him to write and swim. 

War Sailor is Slettback’s screen debut. 

Alexandra Gjerpen

Shipmates with Wally and Freddy, Hanna is one of the only women on board. She’s young but tough, and won’t take guff from anyone. Over time, she becomes close friends with her young shipmate, Aksel. 

Gjerpen is known for her roles in Norsemen and Unge Iovende. 

Arthur Hakalathi

The merchant ship’s third engineer, Braathen is a young sailor who battles growing resentment over being conscripted into service. 

Hakalathi was featured in Viking Wolf, The King’s Choice and Ida Tar Ansvar.