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Mikkelsen: No one is truly good or evil
31 May
Summary
- Mikkelsen seeks good in villains and flaws in heroes.
- He believes characters are rarely purely black or white.
- The actor emphasizes empathy and self-awareness in roles.

Mads Mikkelsen, a distinguished Danish actor, approaches his roles with a philosophy centered on the nuanced spectrum of human nature. He believes that exploring the duality of light and darkness within characters is crucial for authentic portrayal. Mikkelsen's acting method involves seeking relatable aspects in antagonists while identifying flaws in protagonists.
Born on November 22, 1965, in Copenhagen, Mikkelsen rose to prominence in Danish cinema before making his mark in Hollywood. His career highlights include roles in 'Casino Royale' and 'Hannibal,' and critical acclaim for 'The Hunt.'
His perspective, as shared in a 2013 interview, emphasizes that characters are rarely purely good or evil. Mikkelsen stated, "I always try to find something I like about the bad guys and then try to find the mistakes and the flaws in the good guys." This approach allows him to delve into the psychological intentions and complex emotions that define his characters, making them more relatable to audiences.