• by Wayne Friedman , January 3, 2012

In yet another attempt to compete and look like a cable network, Netflix is starting a new original series starring Steven Van Zandt of "The Sopranos" and Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band called "Lilyhammer."

The eight-episode series follows New York mobster Frank "The Fixer" Tagliano as he enters the federal witness protection program after ratting on his boss. A sports fan, Frank wants to make his new life in Lillehammer, the Norwegian town that hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics.

The series, which will be completely available as of Feb. 6, has noted film director Lasse Hallberg as executive producer along with Van Zandt. The series is a production by Rubicon TV AS.

Previously, Netflix announced it would be launching a British-based spy series "House of Cards" --- based on a BBC series starring Kevin Spacey. After that, the digital video and DVD-mail order business said it had plans to revive 20th Century Fox Television's comedy "Arrested Development" -- a favorite show among TV critics that was cancelled in 2006. Plans are to bring back the show -- with the reruns of older episodes -- in 2013.

Netflix counts more than 20 million streaming members in the United States, Canada and Latin America.  In the summer of 2011, Netflix made a sudden price change that caused consumer revolt and led the company to review and adjust its monthly fees and services.

Van Zandt stated that Netflix was "the perfect home" for his show.

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