He’s a Danish actor.
What might I have seen him in?
He plays the young and rather crazy king, Christian VII, in the recently-released, award-winning film ‘En Kongelig Affære’ (‘A Royal Affair’).
The one with Mads Mikkelsen?
Yes. Følsgaard isn’t as famous as Mikkelsen, so there hasn’t been as much fuss about him. And while Mikkelsen plays the handsome hero, Følsgaard is stuck with a curly wig that doesn’t do anything for him – to say the least.
Might I have seen him in anything wigless?
Probably not, as this is his first real movie. His biggest prior achievement was as a ten-year-old playing the role of Carl Jacobsen in the Danish TV series ‘Bryggeren’ (The Brewer). Although he did once play Christian II in a school play – it’s safe to say he likes wigs.
Is he any good?
He’s just won the Silver Bear for best actor at the Berlinale for his role in En Kongelig Affære.
Wow, that’s impressive!
Yes, particularly as he’s the first Dane to ever win. Other winners include Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio and, err, Juliette Binoche for ‘The English Patient’.
But she’s only in it for five minutes. It all sounds a bit Euro-biased.
Not really, ‘Wag the Dog’ won best film in 1998.
And rubbish. So were there any mishaps?
Well, yes, shock horror, Følsgaard forgot to kiss the actress handing him the award. He did manage to kiss the award itself in almost every picture afterwards, though. Guess he prefers bears.
What gay men with hairy arses?
No!
So, what’s next?
Well, apparently he hasn’t had any other film offers yet, although he’s currently finishing his final year at the Royal Theatre School. And he’s also learning how to tap dance. Wigs, tap dancing – if only they were reviving ‘The Black and White Minstrel Show’.
