LIFE IS FULL OF UNKNOWNS, WHERE EVERY STEP INTO THE FUTURE IS AN ABSOLUTE MYSTERY. WE STEP INTO AN UNCERTAIN TOMORROW, NOT KNOWING WHAT LIES AHEAD. HOWEVER, BEYOND THE QUESTIONS THAT THE FUTURE WHISPERS TO US, THE GREATEST MYSTERY LIES WITHIN OURSELVES. IN THIS CONTEXT, ACTOR LUCAS LYNGGAARD TØNNESEN PRESENTS HIMSELF AS AN EXPLORER OF THESE INNER COMPLEXITIES. THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, HE HAS PLAYED CHARACTERS THAT REFLECT INNER STRUGGLE, SELF-CONFLICT AND THE SEARCH FOR IDENTITY, THEMES THAT RESONATE DEEPLY WITH OUR OWN EXISTENCE. TODAY, HE GIVES A LOOK INTO NOT ONLY HIS CAREER AND ACHIEVEMENTS, BUT ALSO HOW HE ADDRESSES THESE MYSTERIES IN BOTH HIS WORK AND HIS PERSONAL LIFE.

Lucas, I'm really happy to talk to you. Something funny happened to me while preparing for this interview. One of your most well-known series is called The Rain, which in Spanish means La Lluvia, the title of the song I always sing at karaoke when I go with my friends. What’s your favourite song to sing at karaoke?

The pleasure is all mine! I'm really happy to be back with you guys. Fun question to start with! Well, among my friends, some have probably already witnessed my infamous performance of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, or really, any Michael Jackson song.

You’re from Copenhagen, a city I adore. If you had to recommend some of your favourite places in the Danish capital, what would they be? Why are they special to you?

Uff, I always find it hard to name specific spots in Copenhagen because there are so many that I really love. But if I had to pick a few, these would be the ones:

PALÆBAR – You go into the kitchen of the bar yourself, grab a plate, and choose your open-faced sandwich, Smørrebrød. Then you sit down, order a beer, and play some cards with your friends afterwards.

AUTOPOUL – Probably one of my favourite spring and summer outdoor bars in Copenhagen. There’s always room for everyone, plus good wine and music. I can’t wait for it to open again this spring.

FLERE FUGLE – Breakfast and brunch, Danish pastries at their best. It also has an urban vibe – sitting and working in the sun with a coffee by your side, reading a good book while cute dogs walk around, that kind of thing.

LA VECCHIA SIGNORA – I told you there were many places haha. This place makes the best Italian sandwiches I’ve ever tasted. It’s like a little grocery store in a basement. Go there!

Your first steps in the entertainment industry were quite significant. How would you describe that transition, and what challenges did you face at the beginning of your career?

I started acting when I was quite young, and at that time, I was in middle school at a singing school. They were pretty old-fashioned in how they viewed things, and I was nearly kicked out because I spent so much time acting. It’s always interesting how creative places like that can have double standards. They loved opera or kids doing ballet, but apparently, acting wasn’t as welcome.

You have a close relationship with the fashion industry. What role does clothing play in your day-to-day life? Are you someone who carefully chooses what to wear, or do you prefer something more spontaneous?

I never know what I’m going to wear in the morning; it’s always a mystery. I share my closet with my girlfriend, Laura, so sometimes it’s a bit hard to keep track of what’s what and where that specific shirt you know you have actually is. So, definitely more spontaneous when it comes to clothing. I do like starting with the pants and then going from there.

Regarding your work in film and television, do you get involved in creating the wardrobe for your characters? How do you bring your own vision to the process of defining a role's aesthetic?

Yeah, I think it’s important to have an idea of what the character you’re playing is going to wear. Though it’s often after the costume designer shows you their ideas for the character that the real collaboration begins between the director, costume designer, and yourself. It’s also often a "you know when you know" kind of thing.

I would like to know if, as an actor, you prepare your roles in a more individual way, or do you rely on other colleagues for advice or ask for their point of view?

Some things you have to work on by yourself, but I would say that most of the time, if it’s possible and the project is ensemble-focused, doing it collaboratively with the director and other actors is incredibly rewarding. Getting to know others often allows you to explore new sides of both yourself and the character you’re creating. We did this for a new Swedish and Danish movie we shot last October called The Art Patron. We had a lot of workshops together, which helped us discover something I don’t think we would have found otherwise.

In Salmon, your performance was exceptional, and you dove into the fascinating world of haute cuisine. What was your immersion into the culinary world like?

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! It was fun and intense shooting Salmon over four nights. I remember Mattis and Milan, the director and cinematographer, pitching the project to me a few months before shooting. They asked if I would be interested in doing it with them, and I remember saying something like, “Absolutely, but is there a script yet?” Mattis said it was on the way, but I already knew this project was going to be good. I feel like I’m pretty good in the kitchen, but on set, I realised what an everyday shift looks like for a chef. I watched a few movies that were a big inspiration for this film, and YouTube was really helpful too. I had previously visited the kitchen at The Alchemist here in Copenhagen to observe how it functions. Obviously, it’s not as intense as in our film, but the atmosphere definitely makes it clear that everyone wants to be there.

The creative stages in an artist's life vary, and what inspires you today may change tomorrow. I want to know: today, on a Friday in February, what inspires you?

This answer will probably vary from one day to another, but today, the weather definitely has a big influence on my inspiration. The sun is shining in Copenhagen right now, which is a wonder to the eye. Light, in general, can have a huge effect on my mood. A very specific kind of light can actually make me really emotional, though I don’t quite know how to explain it. The feeling of creating something, just starting, even if it’s just talking or fumbling with ideas – it doesn’t matter. Beginning a project gives me a lot of energy. For instance, this photoshoot in particular really inspired me. I’ve never done a shoot like this before. Arton Sefa, the photographer, has a way of working that I find truly inspiring. He directs you while taking photos, pushing you to explore something new, going one hundred percent into a feeling or expressing something you’ve never done before. That was quite unique. Can’t wait for the next shoot.

The way one takes risks is very important in an actor's career. Do you consider yourself to be an unbiased actor, willing to explore any idea that you find interesting? Would you say that it is important not to be afraid when one engages in art?

Going into a project with an open mind is very important, I would say. Not being locked into your own way of seeing things. I think I’ve reached a stage where I’m more willing to take risks than I was before. I’ve always loved trying out new things, but now, I can definitely feel that I’m more than ready to do it.

Interview by Juan Martí

Photography by Arton Sefa

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