The BBC has acquired Norwegian comedy drama Afterglow for BBC Four and BBC iPlayer.

The seven-part series tells the story of Ester Sand (Nina Ellen Odegaard), the one person you think will live forever, who finds out she has cervical cancer on her 40th birthday. But after the initial shock, it’s Ester who comforts the people in her life and she has no intention of leaving the world just yet. Afterglow is a story of love and life and all of the glorious and silly things we do before we die.

Afterglow stars Nina Ellen Odegaard (Possession), Torbjorn Harr (Vikings), Sara Khorami (Witch Hunt) and Hermann Sabado (Home for Christmas).

The series was created by Kjetil Indregard and Atle Knudsen. Atle Knudsen is also the director.

Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, says: “Funny, sad, honest and touching, Afterglow is that rare thing – an uplifting drama about serious illness.”

Afterglow was acquired by the BBC from Reinvent International Sales. It was produced by Monster Scripted for NRK.

All seven episodes available on iPlayer from Saturday, May 20 and on BBC4, 9pm, Saturdays from May 20.