Mikkel Boe Følsgaard

Mikkel Boe Følsgaard
Følsgaard in 2013
Born (1984-05-01) 1 May 1984
Rønne, Denmark
Alma materDanish National School of Performing Arts
OccupationActor
Years active2012–present
SpouseFreja Friis (2016–present)
Children2

Mikkel Boe Følsgaard (Danish: [ˈme̝kl̩ ˈpoˀ ˈfølsˌkɒˀ]; born 1 May 1984) is a Danish actor. He graduated from the Danish National School of Performing Arts and has appeared in films and television series such as A Royal Affair (2012), The Legacy (2014–2017), Summer of '92 (2015), Land of Mine (2015), Walk with Me (2016), A Perfectly Normal Family (2020), The Chestnut Man (2021), and Borgen (2022). He played Gérard de Villefort in the English-language series The Count of Monte Cristo (2024). He has received several awards for his performances, including the Bodil and Robert awards, and became the first Danish actor to win the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Early life and education

Følsgaard was born on 1 May 1984 in Rønne, Denmark.[1] He has an older brother, and his family moved to Gilleleje when he was six. While in high school, he developed an interest in acting, participating in school productions and founding a theatre company with friends.[2]

After graduating from high school, Følsgaard applied to drama school but was rejected. His next two attempts were also unsuccessful. In 2008, on his fourth attempt, he was accepted to the Danish National School of Performing Arts. He described this period of rejection as "many years of hard work and struggle that fortunately ended well."[3][4]

Career

2012–2017

Følsgaard got his first taste of acting at the age of 10 when he appeared in an episode of TV 2's historical drama Bryggeren (1997). After seeing a casting advertisement in a newspaper, his grandfather took him and his brother to Nordisk Film's studio in Valby, where they both auditioned and Følsgaard was cast. He did not act again until high school.[3]

During his third year at drama school, he auditioned for the role of King Christian VII in Nikolaj Arcel's period drama A Royal Affair (2012). Arcel described casting the then-unknown acting student as "the coolest bet I've ever made." Følsgaard received widespread acclaim for his performance and became the first Danish actor to win the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival.[5] He also won the Bodil Award and Robert Award for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.[6][7] The film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at both the Golden Globe and Academy Awards.[8] In 2013, Følsgaard was one of the ten recipients of the Shooting Stars Award presented by European Film Promotion at the Berlinale. The international jury noted, "Seeing him in A Royal Affair, one instantly knows that he can play any part. For his first role, he is simply breathtaking, taking care of every detail, showing incredible physical adeptness. We never see him creating emotions, they are just there. Like a miracle."[9]

From 2014 to 2017, Følsgaard played Emil Grønnegaard in the drama series The Legacy. Over its three seasons run, the series enjoyed immense popularity in Denmark and was sold to over 40 countries.[10] For this role, Følsgaard won the Robert Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Television Role in 2015 and 2018.[11][12]

In 2015, he played the lead role in Frederikke Aspöck's romantic drama Rosita, which was well received by critics.[13] That same year, he also appeared in Kasper Barfoed's biographical sports comedy Summer of '92 and Martin Zandvliet's war drama Land of Mine, which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. For his performances in these films, Følsgaard received two nominations for Best Supporting Actor at the Robert Awards.[14]

In 2016, he starred in Lisa Ohlin's film Walk with Me, which earned him the Best Actor nomination at both the Bodil and Robert awards. He then appeared in the Swedish film A Serious Game (2016), directed by Pernilla August. In 2017, he played former professional boxer Jørgen Hansen in Mikkel Serup's biographical drama Pound for Pound. Despite some criticism that he was too young for the part, the film received generally positive reviews and he was nominated for a Bodil Award for Best Actor.[15]

2018–present

From 2018 to 2020, Følsgaard starred in the post-apocalyptic Netflix series The Rain.[a] While the first season was well-received, the following two were criticised for their weak storylines.[17]

In 2020, he starred in Malou Reymann's directorial debut, A Perfectly Normal Family, based on her family's experience with her father's transition to a woman.[18] For this role, he was nominated for Best Actor at the Bodil and Robert awards.[19][20] Also that year, he played the Danish diplomat Povl Bang-Jensen in Christina Rosendahl's biographical drama The Good Traitor.[21]

In 2021, Følsgaard starred in the Netflix crime series The Chestnut Man,[a] which brought him a nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Television Role at the Robert Awards.[22] He also appeared in the first ever Danish-Japanese co-production, the drama film Miss Osaka.[23] In 2022, he joined the cast of the hit Danish series Borgen, which returned for a fourth season after a nine-year break. The fourth season received critical acclaim, and Følsgaard was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Television Role at the Robert Awards.[24]

In 2023, he reunited with his Borgen co-star, Sidse Babett Knudsen, in Bille August's historical comedy Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction, based on a short story by Karen Blixen. Queen Margrethe II designed the costumes for the film.[25] In 2024, he collaborated with August again, playing Gérard de Villefort in the English-language series The Count of Monte Cristo.[26] Also that year, he appeared in his seventh film directed by a woman, the biographical drama The Swedish Torpedo. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to positive reviews.[27]

Personal life

In 2016, Følsgaard married Freja Friis,[28] with whom he has a son and a daughter.[29]

Acting credits

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2009 Bastian at Roskilde – For the First Time Bastian Larsen Short film; mockumentary [30]
2012 A Royal Affair Christian VII [31]
2013 The Keeper of Lost Causes Uffe Lynggaard [32]
2015 Rosita Johannes [33]
Summer of '92 Kim Vilfort [34]
Land of Mine Lt. Ebbe Jensen [35]
2016 A Serious Game Carl Lidner [36]
Walk with Me Thomas Ingerslev [37]
Across the Waters Jørgen [38]
2017 You Disappear Prosecutor [39]
Pound for Pound Jørgen Hansen [40]
Kein Problem Nicolaj Short film [41]
2020 A Perfectly Normal Family Thomas / Agnete [42]
The Good Traitor Povl Bang-Jensen [21]
2021 Miss Osaka Lucas [23]
2023 Superposition Teit [43]
Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction Cazotte [44]
Stockholm Bloodbath Didrik Slagheck [45]
2024 The Swedish Torpedo Henry [46]
2025 Man Up! Rasmus [47]

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1997 Bryggeren Carl Jacobsen Episode: "1849–1854" [48]
2011 Those Who Kill Oleg Only his photo; Episode: "An eye for an eye, part 1" [49]
2013 Dicte Cato Vinding Episode: "Violence and power, part 2" [50]
2014–2017 The Legacy Emil Grønnegaard Main cast [51]
2018–2020 The Rain Martin Main cast [52]
2021 The Chestnut Man Mark Hess Main cast [53]
2022 Borgen Asger Holm Kirkegaard Main cast (season 4) [54]
2024 The Count of Monte Cristo Gérard de Villefort Main cast [55]

Podcasts

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2012 Superman DR P1 radio drama [56]
Congo Robert [57]
2013 Mother's Darling Thomas [58]
2018 Back to Mars Zan [59]

Awards and nominations

Award Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Berlin International Film Festival 2012 Best Actor A Royal Affair Won [60]
2013 Shooting Stars Award Mikkel Boe Følsgaard Won [9]
Bodil Awards 2013 Best Actor in a Leading Role A Royal Affair Won [6]
2017 Walk with Me Nominated [61]
2018 Pound for Pound Nominated [62]
2021 A Perfectly Normal Family Nominated [19]
Ekko Shortlist Awards 2017 Best Actor Kein Problem Nominated [63]
Lauritzen Award 2012 Believe-in-You Award Mikkel Boe Følsgaard Won [64]
2021 Lauritzen Award Won [65]
Robert Awards 2013 Best Actor in a Supporting Role A Royal Affair Won [7]
2015 Best Actor in a Supporting Television Role The Legacy Won [11]
2016 Best Actor in a Supporting Role Land of Mine Nominated [14]
Summer of '92 Nominated
2017 Best Actor in a Leading Role Walk with Me Nominated [66]
2018 Best Actor in a Supporting Television Role The Legacy Won [12]
2021 Best Actor in a Leading Role A Perfectly Normal Family Nominated [20]
2022 Best Actor in a Leading Television Role The Chestnut Man Nominated [22]
2023 Borgen Nominated [67]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Følsgaard also voiced his characters in the English dubs of The Rain and The Chestnut Man.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Mikkel Boe Følsgaard". Dansk film database (in Danish). Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  2. ^ Nissen, Camilla (19 March 2014). "Skuespillers talent udviklet i Gribskov". Sjællandske Nyheder (in Danish). Archived from the original on 19 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  3. ^ a b Lacuhr, Majbritt (27 April 2015). ""Er jeg en blød mand? Ja. Det allerbedste er da at blive ramt emotionelt af noget"". Alt for Damerne (in Danish). Archived from the original on 1 May 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  4. ^ Madsen, Bine (18 January 2014). "Mikkel Boe Følsgaards brikker fra barndommen". JydskeVestkysten (in Danish). Archived from the original on 4 November 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  5. ^ Dam, Freja (21 February 2012). "Overwhelmed Silver Bear-winners". Danish Film Institute. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Bodilprisen 2013". Bodil Awards (in Danish). Archived from the original on 20 February 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Robert Awards 2013". Danish Film Institute. 1 March 2013. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  8. ^ "Oscar nomination to A Royal Affair". Danish Film Institute. 10 January 2013. Archived from the original on 11 November 2025. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Mikkel Boe Følsgaard is Shooting Star". Danish Film Institute. 21 December 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  10. ^ Rossing Jensen, Jorn (5 December 2014). "The Legacy sold for US remake, while Deceived waits in the wings". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on 8 September 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  11. ^ a b "Robert Awards winners 2015". Danish Film Institute. 5 February 2015. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Winter Brothers Wins Best Film at Robert Awards". Danish Film Institute. 5 February 2018. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  13. ^ Simon, Alissa (30 March 2016). "Film Review: 'Rosita'". Variety. Archived from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  14. ^ a b "CELEBRATING A MONUMENTAL YEAR IN DANISH FILM!" (PDF). Danish Film Academy. 12 January 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 July 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  15. ^ Juul Carlsen, Per (15 June 2017). "Anmeldelse: Boe Følsgaard er glimrende... men Malling burde have haft rollen". DR (in Danish). Archived from the original on 25 April 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  16. ^ Gill, James (4 May 2018). "Netflix doubles down on dubbing with new series The Rain – but is it the right strategy?". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 20 September 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  17. ^ Preece, Caroline (6 August 2020). "The Rain Season 3 Review: A Mixed Send-Off For The Underrated Dystopian Drama". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on 19 July 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  18. ^ Mitchell, Wendy (30 January 2020). ""It would be complicated for a transgender woman to go back and play a man": Malou Reymann on casting 'A Perfectly Normal Family'". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 7 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  19. ^ a b "Bodilprisen 2021. Og de nominerede er..." Bodil Awards (in Danish). 22 February 2021. Archived from the original on 8 August 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  20. ^ a b "Nominations for the Robert Awards 2021 announced". Danish Film Institute. 6 January 2021. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Ulrich Thomsen is Our Man in America". Danish Film Institute. 28 February 2019. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  22. ^ a b "ROBERT - DANISH FILM AWARD NOMINATIONS 2022" (PDF). Danish Film Academy. 4 January 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 July 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  23. ^ a b Pham, Annika (12 March 2019). "Miss Osaka creators on the first Danish/Japanese co-production". Nordisk Film & TV Fond. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  24. ^ Knight, Lewis (22 May 2022). "Borgen season 4 review: Power & Glory is triumphant return for Danish drama". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  25. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (15 January 2024). "'Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction' Director Bille August Talks 'Fruitful Collaboration' With Former Queen of Denmark on Hit Netflix Film (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  26. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (11 October 2023). "Bille August to Direct Mediawan's Ambitious Series 'The Count of Monte Cristo' Starring Sam Claflin, Produced by Palomar (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  27. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (12 September 2024). "The Swedish Torpedo". The Film Verdict. Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  28. ^ "Hemmeligt bryllup: Arvingerne-stjerne har giftet sig". Se og Hør (in Danish). 6 February 2017. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  29. ^ "Mikkel Boe Følsgaard om kærlighed: Man skal have et ønske om, at den er for altid". Femina (in Danish). 5 July 2017. Archived from the original on 21 May 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  30. ^ Lindgaard, Asger (director) (18 July 2009). Bastian at Roskilde - For the First Time (Short film) (in Danish and English). Denmark: Lindgaard, Asger. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  31. ^ Turan, Kenneth (8 November 2012). "Movie review: 'A Royal Affair' places ideals over passion". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  32. ^ Johnston, Trevor (26 August 2014). "The Keeper of Lost Causes". Time Out. Archived from the original on 27 April 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  33. ^ Baynes, Davina (14 February 2022). "Rosita ~ A Non-Spoiler Review". Reel 2 Reel Talk. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  34. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (27 August 2015). "'Summer Of 92': Underdog Soccer Drama To Heat Up Danish Box Office – Video". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  35. ^ Turan, Kenneth (8 December 2016). "Review: Young prisoners of war are victims of WWII fallout in the explosive foreign-language Oscar entry 'Land of Mine'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  36. ^ Rooney, David (16 February 2016). "'A Serious Game' ('Den allvarsamma leken'): Berlin Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  37. ^ "Three films on Denmark's Oscar shortlist". Danish Film Institute. 15 August 2016. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  38. ^ Baynes, Davina (13 October 2021). "Across the Waters ~ A Non-Spoiler Review". Reel 2 Reel Talk. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  39. ^ Rooney, David (16 September 2017). "'You Disappear' ('Du forsvinder'): Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  40. ^ Rossing Jensen, Jorn (17 June 2016). "A Danish boxing legend on the way to the big screen in Pound for Pound". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on 2 November 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  41. ^ "Kein Problem". Filmmagasinet Ekko (in Danish). Archived from the original on 7 August 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  42. ^ Clarke, Cath (1 October 2020). "A Perfectly Normal Family review – trans drama told from the heart". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  43. ^ Dalton, Stephen (27 January 2023). "Superposition". The Film Verdict. Archived from the original on 30 July 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  44. ^ Tattoli, Chantel (10 October 2023). "Scream Queen? More Like Stream Queen". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 10 August 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  45. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (11 May 2023). "Viaplay's Sales Arm Scores First Batch of Deals on 'Stockholm Bloodbath,' Mikael Håfström's Epic Period Film With Sophie Cookson, Claes Bang, Emily Beecham (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  46. ^ Dhar, Debanjan (15 October 2024). "Shook, The Swedish Torpedo (2024) 'TIFF' Movie Review: Extraordinary Tales of Finding One's Feet". High On Films. Archived from the original on 3 November 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  47. ^ Ehlers, Luna (10 December 2025). "'Mand op': Dansk kønskomedie er bedre som samtalestarter end som film". Soundvenue (in Danish). Archived from the original on 13 December 2025. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  48. ^ "[1:6] Bryggeren, del 6: 1849-1854". Dansk film og tv (in Danish). Archived from the original on 12 August 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  49. ^ "Those Who Kill". Danish Film Institute. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  50. ^ "Dicte". Dansk Film Database (in Danish). Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  51. ^ Collins, Andrew (20 February 2015). "The Legacy – box set review: 'an utterly addictive Danish inheritance saga'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  52. ^ Feay, Suzi (27 April 2018). "The Rain, Netflix — a post-apocalyptic Scandi horror". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  53. ^ Adelgaard, Karina (28 September 2021). "The Chestnut Man – Netflix Review (5/5)". Heaven of Horror. Archived from the original on 8 August 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  54. ^ Enker, Debi (15 June 2022). "Political comebacks don't get much better than TV's Borgen". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  55. ^ Vivarelli, Nick (15 January 2025). "Bille August Series 'The Count of Monte Cristo' Starring 'Peaky Blinders' Actor Sam Claflin Draws Top Ratings in Italy". Variety. Archived from the original on 22 January 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  56. ^ "Supermenneske". Lyddramatik.dk (in Danish). Archived from the original on 3 December 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  57. ^ Hedemann, Thomas (1 November 2012). "Mille Lehfeldt i nervepirrende Radio Drama-serie". DR (in Danish). Archived from the original on 29 November 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  58. ^ Palle, Henrik (4 December 2013). "Højspændt radiodrama om en mors svigt er velformidlet uhygge". Politiken (in Danish). Archived from the original on 22 May 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  59. ^ Jensen, Mette (24 August 2018). "Ny podcastserie om et nyt liv på Mars". DR (in Danish). Archived from the original on 3 December 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  60. ^ Lueken, Verena (17 February 2012). "62nd Berlin International Film Festival". Berlin International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  61. ^ "Bodilprisen 2017. Og de nominerede er..." Bodil Awards (in Danish). 10 January 2017. Archived from the original on 8 August 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  62. ^ "Bodilprisen 2018 – og de nominerede er..." Bodil Awards (in Danish). 11 January 2018. Archived from the original on 8 August 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  63. ^ "Bedste mandlige skuespiller". Filmmagasinet Ekko (in Danish). 9 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  64. ^ "Lauritzen-prisen 2012". Lauritzen Fonden. Archived from the original on 17 March 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  65. ^ "Lauritzen Fonden" (PDF). Lauritzen Fonden. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  66. ^ "CELEBRATING A DIVERSE YEAR IN DANISH FILM!" (PDF). Danish Film Academy. 10 January 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 July 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  67. ^ "Robert-nomineringer 2023". Danish Film Institute (in Danish). 6 January 2023. Archived from the original on 20 August 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mikkel Boe Følsgaard.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.