Lars Mikkelsen

Lars Dittmann Mikkelsen is a Danish actor known internationally for his performances across television, film, and theater. He gained widespread recognition for portraying political candidate Troels Hartmann in the Danish crime drama The Killing. His notable international television roles include playing the villainous Charles Augustus Magnussen in Sherlock, Russian President Viktor Petrov in House of Cards, and the wizard Stregobor in the fantasy series The Witcher. He is also well known for voicing and portraying the iconic character Grand Admiral Thrawn in the Star Wars universe.

Born in Gladsaxe near Copenhagen, Mikkelsen grew up in the Nørrebro district alongside his younger brother, Mads Mikkelsen, who also became an actor. After finishing secondary school, he completed military service with the Royal Danish Army. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Copenhagen to study biology, but eventually withdrew to work as an itinerant street performer, entertaining audiences across European cities with mime and juggling acts.

Mikkelsen pivoted toward a professional acting career at age 27 by enrolling at the National Theatre School of Denmark, graduating in 1995. Following his performance in The Killing, he continued to build a prominent screen career in Denmark, starring in acclaimed television dramas such as Those Who Kill and Borgen III. In addition to his native language, he is fluent in English, Swedish, and German, and has developed various accents for his roles. He initially learned English alongside his brother by memorizing comedic sketches from Monty Python albums.

His career expanded significantly into major English-language productions. He joined the BBC drama Sherlock as a central antagonist in its third series and landed a recurring role in the American political thriller House of Cards. In animation and live-action, he provided the voice for Grand Admiral Thrawn in the third and fourth seasons of Star Wars Rebels before reprising the character in person for the Disney+ live-action series Ahsoka and again in the animated project Star Wars: Tales of the Empire.

Throughout his career, Mikkelsen has received significant industry recognition. In 2011, he was awarded the Reumert Prize of Honour celebrating his extensive work in Danish theater. He later earned an International Emmy Award in 2018 for his starring performance in the Danish television series Herrens Veje, which was released in the United Kingdom under the title Ride Upon the Storm.

Mikkelsen has been married to actress Anette Støvelbæk since 1989, after beginning their relationship in 1986, and the couple has two sons. During the filming of the second season of Ride Upon the Storm, he chose to be baptized into the National Church of Denmark after consulting with a local priest.