Continuing with our trend of checking out which actors from all parts of the world have moved to Hollywood, we’re focusing on Scandinavian actors this week.
Scandinavia consists of Denmark, Norway and Sweden – countries that share North Germanic heritage. While each of these countries have their own language, they can often mutually understand one another. Besides culture and language, another commonality is that each country has exported awesome actors to Hollywood. We look at fourteen here:
1. Alicia Vikander
This actress from Sweden might be on top of our list by virtue of her name starting with an A, but she deserves her top spot. Vikander is a top talking point this year, having won an Oscar for her remarkable performance in The Danish Girl. However, this woman is no one-hit wonder: she also astounded with her performance as a robot in Ex Machina, proved her propensity for action in The Man from U.N.C.L.E, and will be appearing in the upcoming Jason Bourne. Like many of her fellow Scandinavian actors, she was successful at home, before making the move to Hollywood.
Enjoy the Jason Bourne festival in April on M-Net Movies Action.
2. Birgitte Hjort Sørensen
You may not recognise this Danish actress’s name, but you’ve already seen her twice on M-Net Edge. She played the unfortunate wildling Karsi in the impressive Game of Thrones Season 5 episode, Hardhome; and appeared in Vinyl, as Ingrid Superstar.
Game of Thrones Season 6 starts simulcast from the U.S. on 25 April at 03:00 on M-Net Edge.
3. Connie Nielsen
Entering the superhero realm is Danish actress Connie Nielsen, who will play Queen Hippolyta in the upcoming Wonder Woman. It’s not the first time Nielsen’s played royalty: she portrayed Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ daughter Lucilla, in Gladiator.
Watch Lalla Hirayama's interview with Wonder Woman herself, Gal Gadot, here.
4. Dolph Lundgren
Eighties’ babies will be familiar with Swedish actor Lundgren, as will fans of The Expendables franchise. He’s generally known for his brawny movie roles, but most particularly for his showdown with Sylvester Stallone in Rocky IV, as boxer Ivan Drago. His muscles are not the only thing he flexes, his mind is very avid too. Read more about it here.
5. Greta Garbo
One of the first actresses to ever be nominated for an Academy Award was Swedish actress Greta Garbo. Despite being nominated three times during her lifetime she never won; but she made such an impression on the world of cinema, she received an Honorary Award in 1955. Having retained her successful spot in Hollywood through the industry’s transition from silent films to sound, Garbo will always remain an icon.
Take a look at more Academy Award firsts here.
6. Ingrid Bergman
Scandinavian actors are nothing new or rare in Hollywood, and the incomparable Ingrid Bergman is proof of that. With her role in Casablanca, and as one of Hitchcock’s darlings, her place in Hollywood history is firmly cemented. The Swedish actress, one of the stalwarts of Hollywood’s Golden Age, won three Academy Awards; and her daughter is the famous Italian model, actress, and philanthropist, Isabella Rossellini.
Alfred Hitchcock loved making appearances in his own films. Check out which other directors do the same here.
7. Joel Kinnaman
The RoboCop remake may have been much maligned, but it was a significant stepping-stone into Hollywood for this Swedish actor. His next American milestone is nabbing the role of Rick Flag in the upcoming Suicide Squad.
Watch Joel Kinnaman in the Sunday night movie, Run All Night, on M-Net.
8. Kristofer Hivju
There are so few American actors in Game of Thrones, it’s hardly surprising to learn that many of them come from far-flung places. Norwegian actor Hivju is pretty new to the Hollywood scene, but left such an impression as Tormund Giantsbane in the successful fantasy series that he’s been cast in the upcoming Fast 8.
Check out seven cool stunts from the Fast & Furious franchise here and tune into the film festival on M-Net Movies Action+
9. Mads Mikkelsen
No one ever believed that the depiction of the cannibal Hannibal could be as good as Sir Anthony Hopkins’ in The Silence of the Lambs. Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen proved them wrong with his riveting performance as the diabolical doctor, in the TV series Hannibal. However, it was hardly the first time Mikkelsen portrayed an eerie villain: he matched Daniel Craig step for step in both talent and style as the Casino Royale villain, Le Chiffre. His upcoming work includes roles in Star Wars anthology film Rogue One, and upcoming Marvel movie Dr. Strange.
Check out cool quotes from the Marvel cinematic universe here.
10. Malin Ã…kerman
When you see those peculiar accents in people’s names, you can pretty much safely bet you’re being faced with a Scandinavian. Åkerman may have been born in Sweden, as her name and looks testify, but she moved to Canada at the age of two. After a spell on Canadian television she made the move to Hollywood, and has slowly but surely built up her American resume. Her role in the new drama series, Billions, marks a significant career highlight.
Billions’ Bobby Axelrod is stinking rich. Find out which other TV characters are rolling in the dough here.
11. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Game of Thrones’ fans will be familiar with this Danish actor who plays Jaime Lannister. A character we should hate, great writing paired with Coster-Waldau’s superb performance has made audiences fall in love with the man who flings children off buildings and sleeps with his sister. He’s made a further move into Hollywood with an equally likable smarmy player, in The Other Woman.
Read ten strange and awesome truths about Game of Thrones here.
12. Noomi Rapace
The Swedish actress started coming to the attention of global critics and audiences alike when she portrayed Lisbeth Salander in the adaptations of Stieg Larsson’s Swedish crime novels: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest. Her further foray into Hollywood includes roles in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Prometheus, and The Drop.
Watch Noomi Rapace in The Drop on M-Net Movies Action+
13. Peter Stormare
If you don’t recognise the name, we promise you’ll recognise the face. The Swedish actor is always popping up in Hollywood popcorn flicks as a dirty villain – Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and The Brothers Grimm are but three examples His other credits include cult classics such as Fargo and The Big Lebowski.
Watch the TV adaptation of Fargo on M-Net Edge.
14. The Skarsgård Family
M-Net Edge viewers will be familiar with Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård, who played Eric Northman in True Blood; but, trust us, you’ve seen his father way more, and long before you ever saw Alexander. Stellan Skarsgård has long been on the Hollywood scene with appearances in blockbusters like The Avengers, Cinderella, Pirates of The Caribbean, and Mamma Mia. Stellan has eight children and Alexander isn’t the only actor from the coop. Gustaf Skarsgård also entered the world of acting – you’ll recognise him as Floki from Vikings. Upcoming projects for the family include The Legend of Tarzan, in which Alexander will play the title character. As for Stellan and Gustaf: we hope to see the former popping up in the Marvel cinematic universe again, and the latter surviving the vicious world of the Vikings.
Want to know who punched Alexander while filming The Legend of Tarzan? Find out here.
Which Scandinavian actor is your favourite? Share your thoughts on social media.Â