Lorraine Kelly’s Norwegian Odyssey: Discovering Norway’s Coast with Hurtigruten
January 2026
Last week marked the launch of a brand-new travel series on Channel 4, and if you haven’t caught it yet, Lorraine Kelly’s Norwegian Odyssey is well worth adding to your watchlist.
Created in partnership with Hurtigruten
the three-part documentary follows Lorraine as she journeys along Norway’s legendary coastline, travelling largely by ship in the same way coastal communities have done for more than a century. The series first aired on Thursday 15 January 2026, with further episodes continuing weekly on Channel 4.
Much of the journey takes place aboard Hurtigruten’s iconic ships, which have connected towns, islands and remote settlements along this coastline since 1893. Rather than rushing from highlight to highlight, the series embraces the idea of slow travel, offering a deeper understanding of everyday life in places that many visitors never reach.
Each episode brings a new perspective. One moment Lorraine is learning about traditional cod fishing, the next she is meeting locals whose lives are shaped by the rhythm of the sea. From Arctic farming to dog sledging, the programme gently reveals how culture, nature and history remain closely intertwined along Norway’s coast.
Why Hurtigruten feels central to the story
Each episode brings a new perspective. One moment Lorraine is learning about traditional cod fishing, the next she is meeting locals whose lives are shaped by the rhythm of the sea. From Arctic farming to dog sledging, the programme gently reveals how culture, nature and history remain closely intertwined along Norway’s coast.
Ian Powell, Chief Commercial Officer at Hurtigruten, explains it perfectly:
“For more than 130 years, Hurtigruten has been connecting people and communities along Norway’s coast, and this series celebrates that legacy while showcasing the beauty of the coastline we call home.”
A long-held dream realised
Lorraine Kelly needs little introduction. One of the UK’s most recognisable broadcasters, she’s known for her warmth, wit and natural curiosity. Born in Glasgow, she has spent more than four decades on British television and has been awarded both an OBE and a CBE for services to broadcasting and charity.
Yet this journey feels deeply personal. Lorraine has spoken openly about her long fascination with Norway, inspired by childhood stories of Viking longboats and fearless seafarers.
She says;
“I’ve been dreaming of this adventure ever since I was a little girl”
In Lorraine Kelly’s Norwegian Odyssey, that childhood dream finally becomes reality, travelling by ship across the North Sea to explore the culture, history and communities of Norway’s coast in a way that feels authentic and unhurried.
What’s coming next
If you missed the first episode, there’s still plenty to look forward to. Episode two airs on 22nd Thursday January at 8pm on Channel 4, and promises even more dramatic scenery and wildlife encounters.
In the upcoming episode, Lorraine spots orcas moving through icy Arctic waters and ventures deeper into Sami culture, meeting reindeer herders and learning about traditions passed down through generations. Her journey also takes her into the breathtaking Trollfjorden, a narrow, steep-sided fjord famed for its raw, untamed beauty.
With one episode already aired and two still to come, this series offers not just travel inspiration, but a thoughtful look at a coastline best explored by sea.
If watching Lorraine’s journey has sparked ideas for your own Norwegian adventure, Hurtigruten’s voyages remain one of the most immersive ways to experience this extraordinary region, following a route shaped by history, community and the sea itself.
