Henriette Steenstrup

Henriette Steenstrup is a Norwegian actress, comedian, and screenwriter whose career spans over three decades, making her one of the most versatile performers in Scandinavia. Born in Oslo on 29 September 1974, she entered the entertainment world as a child actress for the national broadcaster NRK, appearing in beloved audio plays and television programs such as the advent calendar Jul i Skomakergata, Halvsju, and Kroppen, which laid a solid foundation for her later success. Her first adult television role came in 1996 when she co‑hosted the children’s show Kykelikokos, showcasing her natural charisma and comedic timing. After honing her craft at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York and graduating from the Oslo National Academy of the Arts in 2003, Steenstrup joined Nationaltheatret in 2004, where she delivered acclaimed stage performances that further solidified her reputation. In 2008 she broke through as a scriptwriter with the TV comedy En god nummer to for TV2, a series that highlighted her sharp wit and ability to blend humor with social commentary. Her work earned her the prestigious Komiprisen in 2014 for the musical‑style comedy En får væra som en er – en Ole Ivars‑musikal, and she continued to garner accolades with the drama series Pørni (2021), for which she won the Seriekritikerprisen and contributed to the series winning the Gullruten award for best script in 2022. As a film actress, she has taken on varied supporting roles in titles such as Budbringeren (1997), Mother's Elling (2003), Comrade Pedersen (2006), and the critically acclaimed Turn Me On, Dammit! (2011), demonstrating her range across genres. In 2019 she delivered a powerful performance as Liv in Dag Johan Haugerud’s Beware of Children, earning the Dragon Award for best acting at the Gothenburg Film Festival. International audiences later recognized her as Turid Seier in Netflix’s fantasy series Ragnarok, bringing her talent to a global platform. Beyond screen work, Steenstrup is an author of several books, including Verdens beste mamma – not (2013) and multiple titles featuring her comedy character “Edel”, reflecting her multifaceted creativity and enduring impact on Norwegian popular culture.