Netflix - First Original Show

Q: What was the first original show produced by Netflix?

A: Lilyhammer

The Rise of Netflix: From DVD Rentals to Original Streaming with Lilyhammer

Netflix began in 1997 as a DVD-by-mail rental service, a convenient alternative to brick-and-mortar video stores like Blockbuster. With its no-late-fees model and online ordering system, Netflix quickly attracted movie lovers frustrated with traditional rentals. By 1999, it introduced a subscription model, offering unlimited rentals for a monthly fee.

The real game-changer came in 2007, when Netflix launched its streaming service, letting subscribers instantly watch movies and TV shows online. Although the early catalog was limited, the idea of watching content on-demand from the comfort of home was revolutionary — and it laid the groundwork for Netflix’s explosive growth.

As streaming took off, Netflix realized it couldn't rely solely on licensing deals from major studios. The solution? Produce its own content.

In February 2012, Netflix premiered Lilyhammer, a Norwegian-American crime dramedy starring Steven Van Zandt (of The Sopranos). It followed a New York mobster who enters witness protection and relocates to Lillehammer, Norway. While the show was co-produced with Norway’s NRK, it marked Netflix’s first foray into original programming, debuting exclusively on the platform in the U.S.

Although it flew under the radar compared to later hits, Lilyhammer was historic: it signaled Netflix’s shift from content distributor to content creator.

Just a year later, Netflix doubled down with House of Cards (2013), its first fully self-commissioned original series, which garnered critical acclaim and ushered in the binge-watching era. From there, Netflix originals became a staple — expanding globally and dominating awards shows.

But it all quietly began with Lilyhammer, the show that proved Netflix could do more than stream — it could create.