Mikael Åke Persbrandt (; born 25 September 1963) is a Swedish actor. In Swedish films, he is perhaps best known for playing Gunvald Larsson in the Beck series of movies. He is internationally known for his starring role in the Academy Award-winning feature, In a Better World, directed by Susanne Bier. His performance earned him a 2011 European Film Award nomination for Best Actor. Other parts include the role of Carl Hamilton from the novels by Jan Guillou, Beorn in The Hobbit, as well as Jakob Nyman in the English TV series Sex Education.
Early life Persbrandt was born and grew up in Jakobsberg, Järfälla Municipality, Stockholm County. He was baptized in the Finnish Church in Gamla stan. Persbrandt has stated that he has Swedo-Finnish ancestry from Åland on his mother's side, and that he thinks his paternal ancestors were Walloons.
Career He has performed onstage with the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm and in numerous film and TV roles. Persbrandt is well known for his role as the hardboiled police inspector Gunvald Larsson, in the Beck series of films. He won the Guldbagge Award for Best Actor in a leading role twice, the first in 2009 for Everlasting Moments and the second in 2014 for Nobody Owns Me. In 2015, Persbrandt reported that he would quit starring in his popular role of Gunvald Larsson. In 2019, Persbrandt began playing Jakob Nyman in the Netflix comedy drama Sex Education. He was a leading actor in the film The Salvation.
Public image and legal issues Sex appeal Persbrandt has often been noted for his good looks, and when Swedish media makes lists of the most attractive Swedish men, he has often been on those lists.
Expressen dispute In December 2005, Persbrandt notified police that the newspaper Expressen had made false accusations about him having acute alcohol poisoning and being admitted to a clinic in Uppsala. The information was inaccurate. Expressen apologised and admitted that their information was false, but the apology was not accepted by Persbrandt. Otto Sjöberg, at the time editor of the newspaper was fined 75,000 SEK (≈ 6800 €, US$8900), in damages to Persbrandt.
Drug use Persbrandt was arrested twice in 2011 for cocaine use and received a fine. In April 2014, he was sentenced to five months' imprisonment for another cocaine offence, but on appeal this was reduced to 75 hours' community service.
Personal life He is in a relationship with Sanna Lundell and the couple have three children together. He had previously been married to Maria Bonnevie.
Theatre All the performances are in Swedish. Year Play Venue Role1984King Lear The Royal Dramatic Theatre Extra1985 Julius Caesar1991 Rekviem Teater Galeasen 1992 Ferrando Bruno 1993Gatan Roberto Zucco 1994Three Sisters 1995Änglar 1996Puntila The Royal Dramatic Theatre Death of a salesman Teater Plaza1998 The Good Person of Szechwan The Royal Dramatic Theatre Lång dags färd mot natt 1999 Don Juan 2000 Maria Stuart Vildanden 2002 Leka med elden 2004 Arbetarklassens sista hjältar Lilla elverket 2005 Miss Julie The Royal Dramatic Theatre Lik som män Vasateatern 2007 Måsen Teater Galeasen 2009 I väntan på Godot Stockholm City Theatre 2014 Dödsdansen Maxim Theatre
Filmography +Film and television roles Year Film Role Notes 1992Rederiet Ola Simonsson1994 The Police Murderer Police 1Svensson, Svensson Jesper 1995 Sommaren Peter1996 Anna Holt Jocke Under ytan Roffe 1997Beck – LockpojkenGunvald LarssonBeck – Mannen med ikonernaBeck – Spår i mörkerBeck – Pensionat Pärlan9 millimeterKonstantin 1998Beck – Öga för öga Gunvald Larsson Sista kontraktet Roger Nyman102 Years in the Heart of Europe: A Portrait of Ernst JüngerReaderVoice role, documentaryBeck – The Money ManGunvald Larsson Beck – MonstretBeck – Vita nätterVuxna människorGeorg MulanShan Yu Swedish dubbing1999 Dödlig drift Andreas Persson Dinosaur Kron Swedish dubbingGossip Åke Frigårdh2000Titan A.E. Tek Swedish dubbingBeck – Hämndens prisGunvald Larsson 2001Beck – Mannen utan ansikteBeck – KartellenBeck – EnslingenAtlantis: The Lost Empire Doctor Joshua Strongbear Sweet Swedish dubbing2002Nu Adam Beck – Okänd avsändareGunvald LarssonBeck – AnnonsmannenBeck – Sista vittnetAlla älskar Alice Johan Lindberg Beck – Pojken i glaskulan Gunvald Larsson 2003Rånarna Frank/Richard Tre solar Ulf Finding Nemo Gill Voice, Swedish dubbing 2004 Dag och natt Thomas 2005 Medicinmannen Martin Holst Bang Bang Orangutang Åke Jönsson Som man bäddar Jocke Inga tårar Lars Bjerking Tjocktjuven The Priest 2006 Open Season Boog Swedish dubbingBeck – Skarpt lägeGunvald Larsson Beck – Flickan i jordkällarenBeck – GamenBeck – Advokaten2007 Beck – Den japanska shungamålningenBeck – Den svaga länkenBeck – Det tysta skriketBeck – I Guds namnEtt öga rött Himself Solstorm Thomas Söderberg 2008Kautokeino-opprøret Carl-Johan Ruth Everlasting Moments Sigfrid Larsson Sergej Assinowitsch Himlens hjärta Lars Oskyldigt dömd Markus Haglund 2009 Beck – I stormens ögaGunvald Larsson 2010Beck – Levande begravdIn a Better World Anton 2011 Stockholm East Johan Hamilton: In the Interest of the NationCarl Hamilton2012 The Hypnotist Erik Maria Bark Agent Hamilton: But Not If It Concerns Your Daughter Carl Hamilton 2013Mig äger ingen Hasse The Hobbit: The Desolation of SmaugBeorn2014 The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five ArmiesEn sång från hjärtat Thomas Jacob The Salvation Peter Beck – Rum 302Gunvald Larsson 2015 Beck – FamiljenBeck – InvasionenBeck – Sjukhusmorden2016 Beck – Gunvald Gunvald LarssonAlone in Berlin Standartenführer Prall The Siege of JadotvilleDag Hammarskjöld 2017 King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Greybeard 2018 Tårtgeneralen Hasse P X&Y Himself 2019–2021 Sex Education Jakob Nyman Main role 2019 Invisible Heroes Harald Edelstam 2020 Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga Victor Karlosson 2021 Tills solen går upp / The Unlikely Murderer Hans Holmér 2022 The Kingdom Helmer Jr. 5 episodes 2023 Poromafia Stagge 8 episodes Foundation The Mule 4 episodes Hammarskjöld Dag Hammarskjöld Agent Hamilton: In Her Majesty's Service Carl Hamilton Filming Sophie's War Franz Pre-production
Discography
Albums YearAlbumPeak positionsDEN2014Someone You Love29
References
External links
Official home page