Ronja the Robber’s Daughter Season 1 Recap: Key Highlights to Remember Before Season 2 Release

On March 28, 2024, Netflix premiered the highly anticipated first season of Astrid Lindgren’s enchanting story, *Ronja the Robber’s Daughter*, in selected regions, bringing one of Sweden’s cherished fantasy narratives to the screen. The adaptation is scripted by Hans Rosenfeldt, known for *The Bridge*, and directed by Lisa James Larsson, celebrated for her work on *A Royal Affair*.

The inaugural season consists of six episodes, each running approximately 45 minutes, with an additional six episodes anticipated for season two of *Ronja the Robber’s Daughter*.

The story revolves around young Ronja (portrayed by Kerstin Linden), the adventurous daughter of a robber, who is eager to explore the dangers and wonders of her surroundings.

Her journey begins in the foreboding yet magical forest adjacent to her home, where she encounters mystical beings and meets a boy named Birk.

As anticipation builds for the launch of season two on October 24, 2024, here’s a concise summary of the first season to help viewers prepare for the upcoming episodes.

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers for *Ronja the Robber’s Daughter* season 1.

Recap of the first five episodes of *Ronja the Robber’s Daughter* season 1

The series opens with an exciting introduction to the legendary Mattis Woods. The premiere kicks off with a thrilling chase involving a man fleeing from strange, hybrid beings known as harpies—creatures that are part human, part bird.

We then witness the birth of Ronja, Mattis’ daughter, heralded by her father as the embodiment of his “robber’s heart.”

This marks Ronja’s first glimpse into the life of bandits. Fast forward a few years, and we find Ronja, now a young girl, participating in raids with her parents and their bandit crew.

After scenes depicting a series of robberies, the narrative jumps ahead to a now 10-year-old Ronja, who grows weary of her sheltered bandit lifestyle.

Longing for adventure beyond her community, supportive Mattis encourages her to brave the woods alone to uncover its mysteries. Despite his warnings about the lurking dangers—especially from Borka’s robbers—Ronja is filled with excitement for her adventure.

The series quickly transitions to Ronja exploring the woods, where she encounters gray dwarves with ulterior motives. Fortunately, Mattis intervenes just in time to rescue her. But undeterred, Ronja returns to the woods for more exploration.

The episodes depict her perilous escapades, filled with thrilling close encounters, until her father appears again to whisk her away to safety.

As the story progresses, Ronja meets Birk Borkason, the son of Borka, and they begin a secretive friendship, exploring the forest and strengthening their bond. Meanwhile, tensions rise between Mattis and Borka as their clans vie for territory.

After witnessing her father’s robbery of an innocent family from a carriage, Ronja’s idealized view of him shatters, leading her to declare her intent to avoid the life of a bandit.

As Ronja and Birk’s friendship blossoms, the discord between their fathers intensifies.

Throughout the first five episodes, the backstory of Mattis and Borka emerges, revealing that they were once childhood friends, separated by family rivalry instigated by outdated grievances between their fathers.

Mattis recounts the tale to Ronja, explaining how their friendship was stifled by parental disapproval, leading to betrayal that ended their bond forever. This provides deeper insight into the ongoing conflicts between the two clans, as the past continues to influence their actions.

What transpired in the season finale of *Ronja the Robber’s Daughter* season 1?

In the climactic sixth episode, spring has arrived, allowing Ronja to reconnect with Birk after winter’s separation. As they rekindle their exploration, Mattis investigates the mysterious disappearance of food supplies.

Unbeknownst to Mattis, it was Ronja who helped Birk by providing food to his starving clan, a move that infuriated him once he learned the rival clan was surviving.

While Ronja and Birk innocently delve deeper into their enchanted surroundings, tensions boil over as Borka confronts Mattis about the food theft, revealing his son’s involvement.

In a twist of fate, Ronja finds herself lured away by a deceptive figure named Chegge, setting the stage for the season’s suspenseful conclusion.

*Ronja the Robber’s Daughter* season 1 is currently available for streaming on Netflix across the Nordic nations, CEE, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and the Netherlands. Viewers in regions facing access barriers can consider using a reliable VPN service to stream the series or await its U.S. debut on Viaplay on November 21.

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