Damned is the latest fantasy adventure series coming to Netflix. The show features a number of notable actors in its cast, including Gustaf Skarsgård, who plays Merlin. The actor may seem familiar to viewers, so here’s a breakdown of who he is and what else he’s been in.
Gustaf Skarsgård comes from a family of celebrities
If your last name sounds familiar, it is because Gustaf Skarsgård comes from a famous Hollywood family. He is the son of Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård, known for his film roles as Thor, The Avengersand Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.
But Stellan is not the only famous person in Gustaf’s family. His older brother Alexander Skarsgård is an award-winning actor who has worked on popular projects like True Blood and Big Little Lies.
Gustaf’s younger brother Bill Skarsgård is also an actor, known for his leading roles in Hemlock grove and Rock castle. Gustaf’s other younger brother Valter Skarsgård is also a promising Swedish actor.
RELATED: Both Alexander and Bill Skarsgard are now villains of Stephen King
What else has Gustaf Skarsgård been up to?
Skarsgård began his acting career at the age of nine when he appeared in the Swedish film, Codename Coq Rouge. After high school, she joined the Royal Dramatic Theater and starred in numerous Shakespeare productions.
At 39, he has starred in several Swedish movies and TV shows over the years. For her performance in the 2006 film,. Kidz in da Hood, Skarsgård obtained a Guldbagge Award and an Award from the European Film Academy.
But the American public can recognize Skarsgård for his recurring role in the historical drama series, Vikings. For six seasons, he played the talented shipbuilder, Floki.
Skarsgård also appeared in season 2 of the HBO science fiction series, Westworld. On the show, he played Delos Chief Operating Officer Karl Strand.
He currently plays Merlin on Netflix’s ‘Damn.’
In Damned, Skarsgård plays the infamous wizard and wizard, Merlin. As reported by Looper, at a roundtable for the new Netflix series, the actor attributed his Vikings experience in preparation for the new role.
“There are a lot of horseback riding and fighting and things I’m happy to have come well prepared for my previous experiences with the Vikings,” he said. “I had already fought a lot in Vikings. I didn’t have to spend a lot of time [training for] that.”
As a character, Merlin has been portrayed in different ways on television and in film. So for his version, Skarsgård tried to make Merlin more dynamic and layered.
“What I think is so funny about this shot is that there are so many different archetypes at play at the same time,” Skarsgård explained. “At first, he is like the joker character, the joker archetype. Then all of a sudden he goes on this search and you say, ‘What’s going on here?’ So it has this kind of antihero quality. “
Skarsgård’s Merlin is definitely different from anything seen before. Hopefully yes Damned renewed for a second season, the actor will reprise his role.
Damned It is currently streaming on Netflix.
