Herrens Veje

The story centres on a family of priests that traces its roots in the Church of Denmark (the Danish national church) back more than 250 years.

Johannes (Lars Mikkelsen) is a senior priest and Area Dean, married to Elisabeth (Ann Eleonora Jørgensen). The first episode follows Johannes (with the support of his staff and family) through the election process for the new Bishop of Copenhagen. Johannes, a traditionalist candidate, is narrowly beaten by the progressive female candidate in the final round of the election. Many subsequent themes are predicated upon Johannes's disappointment and frustration at his failure to become the first bishop in the clerical family.

The couple have two sons, August (Morten Hee Andersen), and Kristian (Simon Sears). August is also a priest, serving in a Copenhagen suburban parish church, and as a military chaplain in the Royal Danish Army. Kristian also trained for ordination as a priest, but dropped out of his seminary in his final year. Kristian, whose behaviour can be reckless, and often a disappointment to his father, is found in the first episode completing an academic dissertation, at which he is discovered to have cheated.

Johannes is God-like to his sons – he gives, loves, and punishes. His favouritism for August and his disappointment with Kristian forces both into making desperate choices in order either to gain his love or to break free from him. Their path will lead us into war and encounters between different religions, seen through the intimate lens of a family drama.

• List of Danish television series

• Herrens veje at IMDb