---
name: "Alexander Skarsgård"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/alexander-skarsgard"
fi1m_id: "alexander-skarsgard"
imdb_id: "nm0002907"
tmdb_id: 28846
wikidata_id: "Q310637"
roles: ["Actor","Producer"]
born: "25 August 1976"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 15
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 15
updated: "2026-10-23T04:05:50.386777+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Alexander Skarsgård

## Identity

Alexander Skarsgård

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/alexander-skarsgard
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** alexander-skarsgard
- **IMDb ID:** nm0002907
- **TMDB ID:** 28846
- **Wikidata ID:** Q310637
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Skarsg%C3%A5rd, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310637, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002907/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/28846

Actor and producer. Born 25 August 1976 in Stockholm, Sweden.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Producer
- **Born:** 25 August 1976, Stockholm, Sweden
- **Active:** 2001–present
- **Also known as:** Alexander Skarsgard
- **Frequently works with:** [Nicole Kidman](https://film.one/person/nicole-kidman.md), [Rebecca Hall](https://film.one/person/rebecca-hall.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 15 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 76 (3), 2010s 82 (5), 2020s 71 (7)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 71 across 15 titles
- **Score spread:** 7 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 6 of 12 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 11, Comedy 6, Science Fiction 3, Action & Adventure 2, Romance 2, War & Politics 2
- **Screen time:** 15 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $582m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Skarsg%C3%A5rd, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310637, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002907/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/28846

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Generation Kill*](https://film.one/tv/generation-kill.md) (84), [*Pillion*](https://film.one/film/pillion.md) (80), [*Big Little Lies*](https://film.one/tv/big-little-lies.md) (78)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Melancholia*](https://film.one/film/melancholia.md) (80), [*Mr. & Mrs. Smith*](https://film.one/tv/mr-and-mrs-smith.md) (73)
- **Disney+:** [*True Blood*](https://film.one/tv/true-blood.md) (71), [*Lee*](https://film.one/film/lee.md) (61)
- **Netflix:** [*Passing*](https://film.one/film/passing.md) (80)
- **Tubi:** [*Infinity Pool*](https://film.one/film/infinity-pool.md) (63)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Alexander Skarsgård

> Alexander Skarsgård uses his size to make a man’s uncertainty more uncomfortable to watch. We rate his restraint, especially in crowded company, though straightforward heroic roles can leave him looking stiff.

In *Generation Kill* (2008), Alexander Skarsgård gives us someone to watch while the Marines around him keep talking. His Brad Colbert stays restrained amid David Simon and Ed Burns’s crowded company, and that makes the military language easier to follow. James Ransone’s Josh Ray Person gets the abrasive, profane talk; Skarsgård need not compete with him. We rate him most when a part makes that quietness useful. He can hold our attention without asking everyone else to stop.

The television breakthrough came with that series and *True Blood* (2008–2014), which cast him as the vampire Eric Northman. His subsequent roles have often put an apparently confident man under pressure until his uncertainty shows. *The Legend of Tarzan* (2016) exposed the risk: restraint can look stiff when the part chiefly requires a hero. Robert Eggers’s *The Northman* (2022), which Skarsgård also produced, gave him the physically demanding role of Amleth.

*Infinity Pool* (2023) puts his size to a less reassuring use. As stalled novelist James Foster, he grows smaller and blanker opposite Mia Goth’s gleefully cruel Gabi. We were horrified by the scene in which he watches a copy of himself, because Skarsgård makes one face frightened and the other curious. Brandon Cronenberg lets us watch long enough to study the difference. The film repeats itself in its second hour, but Skarsgård’s shrinking posture makes the humiliation uncomfortable to watch.

There is a less productive kind of disappearance in *Lee* (2024). His Roland Penrose gets a picnic, a few reunions and little else; the character exists mainly to be away. There is too little in the script for him to play, and it would be unfair to pretend a more demonstrative performance could repair it. Still, it shows how little his presence alone can do when the character has scarcely been written.

For a first encounter, we would choose *Generation Kill*, with a warning that its military vocabulary takes some patience. Its interest in boredom and ordinary detail is worth adjusting to. Try *Infinity Pool* only with a tolerance for repetition and cruelty.

## Biography

Alexander Skarsgård is a Swedish actor. Born in Stockholm in 1976, he began acting as a child but stopped at the age of 13. After completing military service, he returned to acting and appeared in his first American film role in *Zoolander* (2001).

He played Brad Colbert in the miniseries *Generation Kill* (2008) and gained prominence as Eric Northman in the series *True Blood* (2008–2014). Later film roles include *Melancholia* (2011), *Battleship* (2012) and *The Legend of Tarzan* (2016). In *Big Little Lies* (2017–2019) he portrayed an abusive husband, earning a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Critics' Choice Television Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

More recent work includes *Long Shot* (2019), *Godzilla vs. Kong* (2021), *The Northman* (2022), *Infinity Pool* (2023) as James Foster and *Lee* (2024) as Roland Penrose.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (15)

- *Wicker* (2026), Fi1m 80, as Wicker Husband — [page](https://film.one/film/wicker.md)
- *Pillion* (2025), Fi1m 80, as Ray — [page](https://film.one/film/pillion.md)
- *Lee* (2024), Fi1m 61, as Roland Penrose — [page](https://film.one/film/lee.md)
- *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (2024), Fi1m 73, as Other John — [page](https://film.one/tv/mr-and-mrs-smith.md)
- *Infinity Pool* (2023), Fi1m 63, as James Foster — [page](https://film.one/film/infinity-pool.md)
- *Godzilla vs. Kong* (2021), Fi1m 62, as Nathan Lind — [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-vs-kong.md)
- *Passing* (2021), Fi1m 80, as John Bellew — [page](https://film.one/film/passing.md)
- *Succession* (2018), Fi1m 88, as Lukas Matsson — [page](https://film.one/tv/succession.md)
- *The Little Drummer Girl* (2018), Fi1m 76, as Gadi Becker — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-little-drummer-girl.md)
- *Big Little Lies* (2017), Fi1m 78, as Perry Wright — [page](https://film.one/tv/big-little-lies.md)
- *Atlanta* (2016), Fi1m 87, as Alexander Skarsgård — [page](https://film.one/tv/atlanta.md)
- *Melancholia* (2011), Fi1m 80, as Michael — [page](https://film.one/film/melancholia.md)
- *Generation Kill* (2008), Fi1m 84, as Brad Colbert — [page](https://film.one/tv/generation-kill.md)
- *True Blood* (2008), Fi1m 71, as Eric Northman — [page](https://film.one/tv/true-blood.md)
- *Zoolander* (2001), Fi1m 74, as Meekus — [page](https://film.one/film/zoolander.md)

## Complete filmography (74)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Wicker* (2026), as Wicker Husband — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/wicker.md)
- *The End* (2026), as (voice)
- *The Moment* (2026), as Johannes
- *Pillion* (2025), as Ray · Executive Producer — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/pillion.md)
- *Murderbot* (2025), series, as Murderbot · Executive Producer
- *Eric LaRue* (2025), as Ron LaRue
- *Lee* (2024), as Roland Penrose — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/lee.md)
- *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (2024), series, as Other John — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/mr-and-mrs-smith.md)
- *Infinity Pool* (2023), as James Foster · Executive Producer — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/infinity-pool.md)
- *The Northman* (2022), as Amleth · Producer
- *Passing* (2021), as John Bellew — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/passing.md)
- *Godzilla vs. Kong* (2021), as Nathan Lind — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-vs-kong.md)
- *The Stand* (2020), series, as Randall Flagg
- *The Kill Team* (2019), as Sergeant Deeks
- *On Becoming a God in Central Florida* (2019), series, as Travis Stubbs
- *Long Shot* (2019), as Prime Minister James Steward
- *What We Do in the Shadows* (2019), series, as Eric Northman
- *The Hummingbird Project* (2019), as Anton Zaleski
- *The Aftermath* (2019), as Stefan Lubert
- *The Little Drummer Girl* (2018), series, as Gadi Becker — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-little-drummer-girl.md)
- *Hold the Dark* (2018), as Vernon Slone
- *Succession* (2018), series, as Lukas Matsson — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/succession.md)
- *Mute* (2018), as Leo Beiler
- *Big Little Lies* (2017), series, as Perry Wright — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/big-little-lies.md)
- *War on Everyone* (2016), as Terry Monroe
- *Atlanta* (2016), series, as Alexander Skarsgård — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/atlanta.md)
- *The Legend of Tarzan* (2016), as John Clayton / Tarzan
- *Zoolander 2* (2016), as Adam
- *Hidden* (2015), as Ray
- *Documentary Now!* (2015), series, as Rainer Wolz
- *The Diary of a Teenage Girl* (2015), as Monroe Rutherford
- *The Giver* (2014), as Father
- *The East* (2013), as Benji
- *What Maisie Knew* (2013), as Lincoln
- *Disconnect* (2013), as Derek Hull
- *Battleship* (2012), as Commander Stone Hopper
- *Straw Dogs* (2011), as Charlie Venner
- *Melancholia* (2011), as Michael — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/melancholia.md)
- *Trust Me* (2010), as Alex
- *13* (2010), as Jack
- *Beyond the Pole* (2010), as Terje
- *Metropia* (2009), as Stefan (voice)
- *Uppsala Doctor's* (2009), series, as Andersson Nilsson
- *Eastbound & Down* (2009), series, as Adult Toby Powers — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/eastbound-and-down.md)
- *True Blood* (2008), series, as Eric Northman — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/true-blood.md)
- *Generation Kill* (2008), series, as Brad Colbert — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/generation-kill.md)
- *Black Island Sisters* (2007), as Stefan
- *Leende Guldbruna Ögon* (2007), Actor
- *Score* (2006), as Micke
- *Exit* (2006), as Fabian von Klerking
- *The Last Drop* (2006), as Jergen Voller
- *Kill Your Darlings* (2006), as Geert
- *Never Be Mine* (2006), as Christopher
- *About Sara* (2005), as Kalle Öberg
- *Double Shift* (2005), as Nisse
- *Heartbeat* (2004), as Piloten
- *To Kill a Child* (2003), Screenplay, Director
- *The Dog Trick* (2002), as Micke
- *Zoolander* (2001), as Meekus — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/zoolander.md)
- *Kites Over Helsinki* (2001), as Robin Åström
- *Wings of Glass* (2000), as Johan
- *White Water Fury* (2000), as Anders
- *The Diver* (2000), as Ingmar
- *D-Day* (2000), as Lise's papsøn
- *Hundtricket* (2000), as Micke
- *Happy End* (1999), as Bamse Viktorsson
- *White Lies* (1997), series, as Marcus Englund
- *The Kingdom* (1994), series, as Svensk advokat
- *The Dog That Smiled* (1989), as Jojjo
- *Idag Röd* (1987), as The Boy
- *Åke and His World* (1984), as Kalle Nubb
- *The Pack*, Director
- *The Wolf Will Tear Your Immaculate Hands*, Actor
- *The Tiger*, as Vanzin

## Gallery

- ![Alexander Skarsgård](https://film.one/media/person/10947/gallery-b2db64a00fb3.jpg) Alexander Skarsgård — FiesolanaNYC, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Alexander_Skarsg%C3%A5rd_01.jpg/1280px-Alexander_Skarsg%C3%A5rd_01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![From left, Peter Berg, the director of 2012 science fiction naval war film, "Battleship," along with cast members Brooklyn Decker, Greg Gadson, Taylor Kitsch, R](https://film.one/media/person/10947/gallery-e4ef6f8eeb13.jpg) From left, Peter Berg, the director of 2012 science fiction naval war film, "Battleship," along with cast members Brooklyn Decker, Greg Gadson, Taylor Kitsch, R — Dustin Sisco, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/%27Battleship%27_cast_and_crew_promotes_film_120428-N-XD424-006.jpg/1280px-%27Battleship%27_cast_and_crew_promotes_film_120428-N-XD424-006.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![From left, Peter Berg, the director of 2012 science fiction naval war film, "Battleship," along with cast members Brooklyn Decker, Greg Gadson, Taylor Kitsch, R](https://film.one/media/person/10947/gallery-da75a6953ded.jpg) From left, Peter Berg, the director of 2012 science fiction naval war film, "Battleship," along with cast members Brooklyn Decker, Greg Gadson, Taylor Kitsch, R — Dustin Sisco, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/%27Battleship%27_cast_and_crew_promotes_film_120428-N-XD424-009.jpg/1280px-%27Battleship%27_cast_and_crew_promotes_film_120428-N-XD424-009.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Stars from the movie "Battleship" attend a press conference on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington. George Washington hos (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/10947/gallery-661aaed1236a.jpg) Stars from the movie "Battleship" attend a press conference on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington. George Washington hos (2012) — CVN 73, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/%27Battleship%27_crew_visits_USS_George_Washington_120402-N-KF379-016.jpg/1280px-%27Battleship%27_crew_visits_USS_George_Washington_120402-N-KF379-016.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Alexander Skarsgård](https://film.one/media/person/10947/gallery-bba433037306.jpg) Alexander Skarsgård — Image via TMDB
- ![Alexander Skarsgård](https://film.one/media/person/10947/gallery-12ec9cb18408.jpg) Alexander Skarsgård — Image via TMDB
- ![Alexander Skarsgård](https://film.one/media/person/10947/gallery-a1f53c76cd23.jpg) Alexander Skarsgård — Image via TMDB
- ![Director and cast members from the movie "Battleship" pose with sailors during a press conference aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington](https://film.one/media/person/10947/gallery-02c93fa434cf.jpg) Director and cast members from the movie "Battleship" pose with sailors during a press conference aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington — CVN 73, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/%27Battleship%27_stars_aboard_USS_George_Washington_120402-N-ZT599-300.jpg/1280px-%27Battleship%27_stars_aboard_USS_George_Washington_120402-N-ZT599-300.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Alexander Skarsgard and Brooklyn Decker speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/10947/gallery-a93d0be6104c.jpg) Alexander Skarsgard and Brooklyn Decker speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Alexander_Skarsgard_%26_Brooklyn_Decker_%286853129360%29.jpg/1280px-Alexander_Skarsgard_%26_Brooklyn_Decker_%286853129360%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Alexander Skarsgård](https://film.one/media/person/10947/gallery-48274eae5ab5.jpg) Alexander Skarsgård — Image via TMDB
- ![Alexander Skarsgård](https://film.one/media/person/10947/gallery-e0e9de9c899b.jpg) Alexander Skarsgård — Image via TMDB
- ![Alexander Skarsgård](https://film.one/media/person/10947/gallery-c8960f82be43.jpg) Alexander Skarsgård — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2017: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *Big Little Lies*

### SAG Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2010: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (nominated), for *True Blood*

### Other awards — 1 won

- Satellite Award for Best Cast – Television Series 2009: Satellite Award for Best Cast – Television Series (won), for *True Blood*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/alexander-skarsgard