Claes Bang: ‘When people recognise me from Bad Sisters, they don’t want to spend time with me!’

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What’s the view from your sofa?

In a quaint rural Danish hideaway, I’ve set up a cozy home theater. Instead of a traditional TV, I have a large retractable screen at the foot of my bed. With my projector, it transforms into a mini cinema. I can nestle in bed and watch whatever I please – all I need is to connect my device and enjoy an endless selection of content.

What was the last thing you enjoyed on your projector?

I didn’t have a good enough audio system at home, but I should get one since my last enjoyable movie experience was Jonathan Glazer’s Academy Award-winning film ‘The Zone of Interest.’ Watching it in the theater made me realize how crucial the sound design was to that movie.

Who’s in charge of the remote control?

My spouse, Danish photographer Lis Kasper Bang, and I share similar viewing preferences. I’m eagerly anticipating the upcoming installments of Severance [on Apple TV+]. These days, a series needs to grab your attention immediately or viewers may become confused and abandon it. However, with Severance, it took around four to five episodes for me to grasp the storyline. The execution was truly masterful.

How did you land the lead role in your new film, William Tell?

Approximately two years back, an agent contacted me about a British director named Nick Hamm who expressed interest in speaking with me. Upon reading the script, during our initial discussion, I enthusiastically replied, “This is fascinating, and I’m the perfect fit for this project if you choose me.

[image id=”2152938″ size=”full” title=”Rudenz (Jonah Hauer-King), William Tell (Claes Bang), Suna (Golshifteh Farahani) and Walter (Tobias Jowett) _ (c) Altitude” alt=”Rudenz (Jonah Hauer-King), William Tell (Claes Bang), Suna (Golshifteh Farahani) and Walter (Tobias Jowett) in William Tell. William is raising his arm and shouting while the others stand around him” classes=””] Rudenz (Jonah Hauer-King), William Tell (Claes Bang), Suna (Golshifteh Farahani) and Walter (Tobias Jowett) in William Tell.

Did you have to learn archery?

We put considerable effort into it because everyone needed it to appear as if the bow was an integral part of him. Thus, it required a realistic appearance. Unfortunately, owning a crossbow is prohibited in Denmark, so I couldn’t practice at home. Instead, I traveled to a shooting range in Richmond for practice.

Was it a nice change of pace to be playing a great European folk hero?

The film was undeniably a crucial factor in my choice to be involved. I’ve played many villainous roles, and when people associate me with “The Prick” from Bad Sisters, they often comment, “You can’t behave like that!” However, it’s essential to clarify that the character isn’t representative of who I am. That series has left a lasting impression, and I get the feeling that some people might think twice about spending time with me.

Have you noticed that you’ve played some remarkable villainous characters lately? From Count Dracula on the BBC, to the Dean in Stephen Merchant’s The Outlaws, and even Nazi spy Hans Von Dincklage in the fashion drama The New Look. Is it more enjoyable for you to portray these roles?

Absolutely, that’s a straightforward explanation, but there’s more depth to explore. For example, Von Dincklage suddenly becomes unpredictable – and it catches us off guard. When it comes to the straight-laced character, like William Tell, there aren’t as many opportunities for variation.

Do you prefer the UK TV industry to Denmark’s?

In Britain, I feel a strong affection. If not for my family being based in Copenhagen, I would relocate here. Upon arriving today from the airport, it feels incredibly comfortable – either I fit seamlessly into it, or it fits perfectly with me. Additionally, there’s an abundance of fascinating projects taking place within the UK.

Are you sad that you weren’t involved in season 2 of Bad Sisters?

It’s true they’re quite impressive, and it’s truly enjoyable to be in their company. Their talent really shines through in their performances, making me eager to spend more time with them.

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2025-01-14 04:12