Sofie Gråbøl (Danish pronunciation: [sofiˀə ˈkʁʌpøl]; born 30 July 1968) is a Danish actress. She has starred in a number of films, with her breakthrough role in the 1986 Danish film Early Spring, directed by Astrid Henning-Jensen, playing the lead role in the film version of Tove Ditlevsen's novel Barndommens gade when she was 17 years old. On television she has starred in Taxa and Nikolaj og Julie.[1]

Sofie Gråbøl
Gråbøl in 2011
Born (1968-07-30) 30 July 1968 (age 55)
Frederiksberg, Denmark
OccupationActor
Years active1986–present
Known forDetective Sarah Lund in Forbrydelsen
Spouse
Jacob Thuesen
(div. 2006)
Children2
Awards5 Robert Awards
2 Bodil Awards
BAFTA Award
Nominated for International Emmy Award (2008)
Nordic Language Prize (2018)

Gråbøl has become known in Denmark for playing emotional roles, but she achieved international fame as a detective—the cool and distant lead character Inspector Sarah Lund in all three series of The Killing (Danish: Forbrydelsen). In the UK it was broadcast on BBC4 with great success, winning a BAFTA award, and bringing Gråbøl celebrity status.[2][3]

Personal life edit

Gråbøl has lived in Copenhagen all her life.[4] Both her parents, father Kaj Fladhede Gråbøl and mother Mette Koustrup, were architects. She has an older brother, Niels Gråbøl, who is a director[5] and the ex-husband of actress Ditte Gråbøl. Gråbøl's father left her mother when her mother was pregnant with Gråbøl. She was brought up by her mother.[6] Her mother remarried to a Maoist architect and for a time they lived in a commune.[5]

Gråbøl divorced her husband, the film director Jacob Thuesen, in 2006. They have two children: a son, Bror, and a daughter, Gudrun.[2][7][8][9][10]

In 2012 she was diagnosed with cancer, had surgery and chemotherapy and is now in remission.[11]

Early career edit

In the early years of her career she studied theology and worked in a bookstore.[7] Responding to a newspaper advertisement at the age of 17, she was given the role of an artist's nude model in Oviri, a 1986 film about Paul Gauguin with Donald Sutherland.[8][5] Despite having had no formal training, and entering acting only on the encouragement of her mother, she has worked continuously since then.[9]

She said, "I thought it would be like a summer holiday job ...then one film led to another and suddenly I was an actor and I never really felt that I had made the decision ... I felt at home in the language of acting.""[9] Her breakthrough role was in the 1986 Danish film directed by Astrid Henning-Jensen, Early Spring.[12]

Gråbøl is famous in Denmark, with a wide body of work from comedy to Shakespeare.

The Killing edit

In 2007, Gråbøl portrayed the role of police Detective Sarah Lund obsessed with solving the sadistic killing of a schoolgirl in the Danish television series The Killing (Danish: Forbrydelsen, literally "The Crime"). Producers of the show envisioned breaking the clichés of female characters usually portrayed on television and film. Lund was to be a driven and relentless detective without her primary concern being for her physical appearance or sexuality.

Gråbøl was involved early on in the development process of the series and had numerous discussions with writer and series creator Søren Sveistrup. Her input was integral to the creation of the character, from keeping the character's past a mystery to the choice of clothing, and especially that the character was to be emotionally isolated. At one point, the writers were considering having Lund have an affair with one of the suspects. She fought this plot line, explaining that Lund was a female Clint Eastwood, and it was removed. It was originally intended that Sarah Lund should die but this was changed halfway through the series.[13] Gråbøl had become known in Denmark for playing emotional characters and the role of the cool and distant Lund was a stark departure.

The series was a huge success in Denmark with over half the population watching. Although already well known in Denmark, Gråbøl now found herself stopped on the street as fans of the show wanted to know the secret of the killer. The series was then played throughout Europe. With the show's success, it played in back-to-back weekend installments in the UK on BBC4. With no promotion, the show became a word-of-mouth success and even topped Mad Men in the ratings.[14]

Gråbøl had been a famous actress in Denmark for twenty five years when she suddenly, to her surprise, achieved cult status in Britain.[15] Even the shape-concealing jumper (sweater) she wore in the show became iconic. She received requests for interviews and offers to work in Britain, most of which she had to decline due to her busy work schedule. However, she had a cameo in the BBC comedy Absolutely Fabulous playing her character Detective Lund. In the UK, Gråbøl was named Best Actress at the Crime Thriller Awards and the show won the 2011 BAFTA for Best International TV Show.[16] The BAFTA was awarded to Gråbøl, creator and writer Søren Sveistrup, producer Piv Bernth and director Birger Larsen.[17]

In Britain the series had subtitles but for the American audience it was remade. Commenting on the first series of The Killing remake, while saying she thought the American version was good, Gråbøl said it was unfortunate that American audiences would not accept shows with subtitles because with the success of the show in Britain, "there's a strong sense of a cultural exchange going on. By watching each other's stories you exchange something very valuable. It's about language and culture and the ways of looking at life."[16][18] In series two of the American version Gråbøl has a small part as a Seattle district attorney.[19] In July 2012, the US remake was cancelled by the network.[20]

Forbrydelsen II was released on 2009, and Forbrydelsen III was released in 2012.[21]

After The Killing edit

Gråbøl was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2012 for which she underwent surgery and chemotherapy.[22] She temporarily retired from acting in 2013, but returned to work the next year, appearing as Hildur Odegard, a Norwegian mayor, in two series of the British TV series Fortitude.[6][5] In August 2014 she made her English language début on stage in Edinburgh, appearing as Margaret of Denmark in James III: The True Mirror, the third of Rona Munro's historical trilogy The James Plays.[8][23]

In 2015 she played a role, together with Swedish actress Frida Farrell, in the music video "Under the Make-up" for the song with the same title by the Norwegian band a-ha. It was released on 24 August 2015.[24]

In 2018 she was awarded the Nordic Language Prize in Oslo, Norway for her contribution to positive attitudes between neighbouring Nordic languages.[25]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Key
Denotes productions that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
1986 The Wolf at the Door Judith Molard Original title: Oviri
Early Spring Ester Original title: Barndommens gade
1987 Sorgagre Ungfruen TV film
Pelle the Conqueror Jomfru Sine
Vi svarer ikke for bølgerne Pedestrian TV film
1988 Rami og Julie Julie
Jorden er giftig Signe Short
1991 Høfeber Bankass
1992 The Silent Touch Annette Berg Original title: Dotkniecie reki
1993 De skrigende halse Anita Schulz TV film
Black Harvest Clara Uldahl-Ege Original title: Sort høst
Tvangsritualer Sofie Gråbøl Short
1994 Nightwatch Kalinka Original title: Nattevagten
1995 Carmen & Babyface Carmen
Pan Edvarda Mack Alternative title: Two Green Feathers
1996 Groovy days Anne Original title: Fede tider
Den store Kul-Tur Maibrit TV film
1997 Sinan's Wedding Cherie Original title: Sinans bryllup
Credo Mona Original title: "Sekten"
Isle of Darkness Julie Original title: Mørkets øy
1998 H.C. Andersen's The Long Shadow Louise Voice role, Original title: H.C. Andersen og den skæve skygge
1999 Mifunes sidste sang Claire
The One and Only Mulle Original title: Den eneste ene
En sjælden fugl Astrid Short
2000 Flickering Lights Hanne Original title: Blinkende Lygter
Gengangere Regine TV film
2001 Grev Axel Leonora Amalie
2002 The Life Insurance Judith Short, Original title: Livsforsikringen
2004 Aftermath Britt Lehmann Original title: Lad de små børn
2005 Accused Nina Original title: Anklaget
True Spirit Lærke Original title: Den rette ånd
2006 The Boss of It All Kisser Original title: Direktøren for det hele
2007 The Substitute Carls Mor Original title: Vikaren
Daisy Diamond Sofie Gråbøl
2013 The Hour of the Lynx Helen Original title: I lossens time
IRL: In Real Life Mille Original title: Det andet liv
2016 The Day Will Come Lærer Lilian Original title: Der kommer en dag
2018 The House That Jack Built Lady 3
That Time of Year Barbara Original title: Den tid på året
X & Y Sofie
2019 Resin Maria Haarder Original title: Harpiks
2021 Wild Men Anne Original title: Vildmænd
The Venus Effect Gitte Original title: Venuseffekten
2022 Rose Inger

Television edit

Key
Denotes productions that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
1990 Kära farmor Younger Dagmar Miniseries
1999 Taxa Anna Sander 7 episodes
2002-2003 Nikolaj og Julie Julie Krogh Andersen Series regular
2007-2012 The Killing Sarah Lund Series regular, Original title: "Forbrydelsen"
2011 Absolutely Fabulous Sarah Lund Episode: "Identity"
2012 The Killing District Attorney Christina Nielsen Episode: "My Lucky Day"
2015-2018 Fortitude Governor Hildur Odegard Series regular
2016 The Other World Dronningen Series regular, Original title: "Den anden verden"
2018 Liberty Kirsten Miniseries
The Restaurant Henriette Winter 4 episodes, Original title: "Vår tid är nu"
2019 Gentleman Jack Queen Marie Episode: "Are You Still Talking"
2020 Us Freja Miniseries
The Undoing Catherine Stamper Miniseries
2022 The Shift Ella Series regular, Original title: "Dag & nat"
2023 Prisoner [da] Miriam Series regular, Original title: "Huset"

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Category Work Result
1987 Robert Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role The Wolf at the Door Won
Bodil Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role The Wolf at the Door Won
1994 Robert Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Black Harvest Won
Bodil Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Black Harvest Won
1999 Fantaspoa International Fantastic Film Festival Best Actress Credo Won
2000 Robert Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role The One and Only Won
Bodil Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role The One and Only Nominated
2002 Robert Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Grev Axel Nominated
2003 Copenhagen TV Festival Best Actress Nikolaj og Julie Won
2005 Robert Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Aftermath Won
Bodil Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Aftermath Nominated
2006 Robert Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Accused Won
Bodil Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Accused Nominated
2008 International Emmy Awards Best Actress The Killing Nominated
2010 Golden Nymph Awards Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series The Killing Won
2011 Crime Thriller Awards Best Leading Actress The Killing Won
BAFTA Television Awards Best International Programme (with Søren Sveistrup, Piv Bernth & Birger Larsen) The Killing Won
2012 Crime Thriller Awards Best Leading Actress The Killing Nominated
BAFTA Television Awards Best International Programme (with Søren Sveistrup, Piv Bernth & Kristoffer Nyholm) The Killing Nominated
2013 Crime Thriller Awards Best Leading Actress The Killing Nominated
Robert Awards Best Actress in a Leading Television Role The Killing Won
Golden Nymph Awards Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series The Killing Won
2014 Robert Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role The Hour of the Lynx Nominated
Bodil Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role The Hour of the Lynx Nominated
2017 Robert Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role The Day Will Come Won
Robert Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Television Role The Other World Nominated
Bodil Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role The Day Will Come Nominated
2019 Robert Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role That Time of Year Nominated
Robert Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Television Role Liberty Nominated
Bodil Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role That Time of Year Nominated

References edit

  1. ^ Morten Piil (2006). Danske filmskuespillere (in Danish). Copenhagen, Denmark: Gyldendal. p. 132–. ISBN 978-87-02-02104-2.
  2. ^ a b Anthony, Andrew (13 March 2011). "The Killing: meet Sofie Gråbøl, star of the hit Danish crime thriller". London: The Guardian.
  3. ^ Jeffries, Stuart (31 March 2011). "The Killing: in cold blood". London: The Guardian.
  4. ^ Garratt, Sheryl (November 18, 2011). "The Killing 2: interview with Sofie". UK: The Telegraph. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d Curtis, Nick (2017-02-11). "Sofie Grabol: 'I am mystified by the British obsession with Danish culture'". The Times. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  6. ^ a b Billen, Andrew (10 January 2015) Sofie Gråbøl: How I survived my year of darkness The Sunday Times (may require a subscription), Retrieved 10 January 2015
  7. ^ a b "Sofie Gråbøl" (in Danish). danskefilm. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c Christie, Janet (24 July 2014). "The Queen and I". The Scotsman, Weekendife, Features. pp. 5–7.
  9. ^ a b c Mitchell, Linnéa (May 20, 2011). "SOFIE GRÅBØL – A SCANDINAVIAN HEROINE". Scan. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  10. ^ Dougray, Ginny (24 January 2015). "Sofie's choice". Radio Times. UK: Immediate Media Company: 22–25.
  11. ^ English, Paul (July 26, 2014). "The Killing star Sofie Grabol's cancer battle encouraged her to swap TV for the stage as Queen of Scotland". dailyrecord.
  12. ^ "Blood, sweater and fears: Behind the scenes on The Killing". The Independent. 2011-11-04. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  13. ^ Hansen, Stine Spjelkavik (3 December 2015). "Hovedrolleinnehaverne i "Forbrytelsen" og "Broen": - Er lei av kvinner som bare er til pynt" [Leading Actresses in The Killing and The Bridge: We are tired of women who are only for decoration]. Aftenposten (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norway. Retrieved 7 December 2015A partial translation is shown on https://thekillingtimestv.wordpress.com/2015/12/04/sofia-helin-and-sofie-grabol-interview-each-other-we-were-tired-of-women-who-are-only-for-decoration/#more-3542 {{cite journal}}: External link in |postscript= (help)CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  14. ^ Jarossi, Robin (November 8, 2011). "The Killing series 2 with Sofie Gråbøl Preview". Crime Time Preview. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  15. ^ Gilbert, Gerard (December 31, 2011). "Ten people who changed the world: Sofie Grabol, star of The Killing". UK: The Independent. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  16. ^ a b Ali, Omer (January 11, 2012). "Sofie Gråbøl interview". Abu Dhabi: TimeOut. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  17. ^ "BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  18. ^ Dowell, Ben (November 18, 2011). "The Killing 2: Sofie Gråbøl answers your questions". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  19. ^ Seale, Jack (March 24, 2012). "Sofie Grabol to appear in US version of The Killing". UK: Radio Times. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  20. ^ Ng, Philiana (July 21, 2012). "AMC Cancels 'The Killing'". USA: Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  21. ^ Plunkett, John (November 19, 2012). "The Killing is back with a bang". The Guardian. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  22. ^ Anderson, Jeppe (8 October 2013). "Sofie Gråbøl ramt af kræft" [Sofie Grabol affected by cancer]. TV2 Denmark (in Danish). Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  23. ^ "The James Plays". Edinburgh International Festival. January 20, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  24. ^ "Video shoot in Telemark. News. The Official Website of a-ha". 15 August 2015.
  25. ^ "Sofie Gråbøl Awarded Nordic Language Prize". Nordic Drama. 2018-12-07. Retrieved 2018-12-09.

External links edit