Photo: Rubicon Tv As/Kobal/Shutterstock
Netflixis celebrating a decade of producing original content.
On Sunday, the streaming giant marked 10 years since the release of its first original series,Lilyhammer. The show, which premiered Feb. 6, 2012, starsSopranosactorSteven Van Zandtas hitman Frank Tagliano.
In honor of the occasion, Netflix released a video chat between Van Zandt, 71, and the company’s co-CEOTed Sarandos, who also shared memories about the making of the series.
Jason Kempin/Getty
He said that Van Zandt reached out to him directly a few months later after the actor heard that Netflix was looking for original content.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
While Netflix is known for releasing full seasons of its shows all at once, Sarandos said Van Zandt was hesitant about droppingLilyhammer’s first season in full on the platform, telling the CEO, “You labor and suffer and someone can watch a year of your work in one night? That sounds a little weird.”
But Van Zandt agreed after Sarandos assured him, “It’s just like working on an album.”
Sarandos also noted thatLilyhammer"worked because it was a deeply local story that we could share with the world." The series debuted globally on Netflix, premiering in the U.S., Canada and Latin America, before later becoming available in the U.K., Ireland and the Nordics.
In a conversation with Sarandos released on Netflix’s YouTube channel, Van Zandt said Netflix gave him freedom withLilyhammer, similar to what HBO had offeredTheSopranoscreator David Chase.
“You took that concept to the next level. You trusted me, man, and I’ll never forget it,” Van Zandt told Sarandos. “That took big courage. You’re starting a whole new thing with your company.”
source: people.com
