Alex Høgh Andersen: ‘There’s nothing less interesting than an actor with no mystery’

Alex Høgh Andersen: ‘There's nothing less interesting than an actor with no mystery’  | Soho House

The Danish actor and star of ‘Vikings’ talks fame, social media and maintaining a mystique at our new Soho House Copenhagen

Monday 8 August 2022   By Sagal Mohammed   Photography by Anders Overgaard   Styling by Maria Angelova    Grooming by William Boksa   Creative Production by Juliette Clarke

Alex Høgh Andersen is always a little sceptical. As a Dane, he notes, never taking anything at face value is hardwired into his DNA. The moment he landed his first major acting gig – as Ivar the Boneless in Vikings – is a case in point. Andersen was convinced it was a prank. 

‘I'm a very positive person, but I’m also Danish,’ he tells me over a pint of beer at Soho House Copenhagen after our seven-hour shoot. ‘I look at everything as if the glass is half empty because that’s just how we are here. Then you add the fact that I’m in acting, the worst business in the world, and your natural instinct is always to think, “OK I got the audition, but there’s no way this is happening.” It’s never: “I got the audition; this has to be mine”.’ He laughs, because ironically that’s exactly what happened. 
 
That was back in 2016. Andersen was a year into his film and media degree at the University of Copenhagen when he got the call that would set him on the path to stardom he’d been working towards since the age of nine. Chosen out of 1,000 auditionees, his casting in seasons three to six of the historical drama had ‘felt so massive and out of reach that I didn’t really give it much focus when I was waiting to hear back,’ he says. ‘When I got it, it felt like I had accidently said yes to this huge thing and now had to deal with the consequences. It was a bit like saying yes to going out with a girl and all of a sudden, you’re married.’ 

Alex Høgh Andersen: ‘There's nothing less interesting than an actor with no mystery’  | Soho House
Top: shirt, The Frankie Shop; trousers, Off-White; watch, Oliver Green; necklace, Pandora
Above: jacket and trousers, both Rue de Tokyo; shirt, Samsøe & Samsøe


His commitment to the show wasn’t far off a marriage. It required a similar leap of faith, sacrifice and compromise. ‘It was strange, because when I got the role I had just started university and I was really happy there,’ he says. ‘I loved the course and had made a bunch of new friends that were excited about the same geeky film stuff I was excited about. Then all of a sudden, I was presented with this dream and I had to make this big decision. If I said yes to it, I knew that was me committing to an acting career and saying goodbye to university for good. Or at least that’s what I thought at the time. It felt so final.’

As such, Andersen dropped out of his degree, left home and moved to Ireland, swapping out his mother tongue to communicate all day every day in English. ‘It got to a point where I started dreaming in English instead of Danish, because I was speaking it so much over the course of three and half years,’ he says.
 
The gamble paid off, setting the actor on a trajectory that he’s nothing but grateful for today. From Vikings, Andersen went on to star in a slew of national TV shows and indie films that have continued to add to his success, both at home and internationally. Still only 28, he’s now recognised as one of Denmark’s greatest on-screen talents. ‘Leaving university to crawl around horseshit in Ireland in the middle of October turned out to be exactly what was meant for me to live out my passion,’ he jokes.

Alex Høgh Andersen: ‘There's nothing less interesting than an actor with no mystery’  | Soho House
Alex Høgh Andersen: ‘There's nothing less interesting than an actor with no mystery’  | Soho House

‘It felt like I had accidently said yes to this huge thing and now had to deal with the consequences. It was a bit like saying yes to going out with a girl and all of a sudden, you’re married’

Above left: jumper and trousers, both Boss; shoes, Tommy Hilfiger; glasses, MessyWeekend
Above right: jacket, (di)vision; shirt and trousers, both The Frankie Shop; shoes, Tommy Hilfiger

It’s all a long way from his childhood, growing up on a farm in rural Denmark. ‘I’m from a small town called Skælskør, which only has around 5,000 people.’ A restless kid, he had enough energy, he says, for an entire football team. ‘My mum was desperate for me to channel all that into something, so I tried every sport you can imagine, but nothing worked until I began theatre. I loved the fact that I had to think about learning lines, lights, and the other actors on stage with me.’ 

Andersen was just nine years old at the time. ‘When you’re in the provinces, especially in Denmark, theatre and drama is so far off your radar,’ he notes. ‘If you were into jazz hands or anything close to drama, then you were weird.’ 
 
Fast forward 20 years and it’s fair to assume that no one back home thinks his chosen profession is ‘weird’ anymore. These days, Andersen’s sights are set on Hollywood, though he isn’t particularly interested in fame. Rather, he hopes to strike a balance between critical acclaim and preserving a level of privacy, in the manner of fellow countryman and actor Mads Mikkelsen. ‘He is one of my favourite actors and someone I’m really inspired by,’ says Andersen. ‘I’m trying to shape my career like his.’

Alex Høgh Andersen: ‘There's nothing less interesting than an actor with no mystery’  | Soho House

Shirt, Samsøe & Samsøe; T-shirt, Rue de Tokyo; trousers, Tom Ford; watch, Oliver Green

Getting that balance right is crucial, he says. ‘I’m very traditional in what I believe the role of an actor is. In contemporary society, where everyone is on Instagram and you have to have X amount of followers to get a part in a movie or a TV show, it conflicts with the illusion that I think actors need to create,’ he explains. ‘I did a movie about the Second World War in Denmark called The Bombardment that came out about a year ago. I can’t have people watching that and seeing me portray a character from 1945 when all they’re really thinking about is the avocado toast I had for breakfast at Cafe Victor in Copenhagen the day before because I posted it on Instagram. It destroys the entire image I’ve been working hard to perfect on screen.’
 
Nevertheless, for younger actors today when it comes to building a fanbase, a social media presence has become a necessary evil. It’s a point that Andersen is only too aware of. ‘It’s a massive conflict for me. I often think, “When is it too much?” Because for me, there is nothing less interesting than an actor with no mystery.’ Which isn’t to say that Andersen doesn’t understand the opportunities the right exposure can bring. One of his own side hustles is that of designer, as part-owner of Danish watch brand, Oliver Green.

Alex Høgh Andersen: ‘There's nothing less interesting than an actor with no mystery’  | Soho House

‘Leaving university to crawl around horseshit in Ireland in the middle of October turned out to be exactly what was meant for me to live out my passion’

Above: shirt and trousers, both The Frankie Shop; bracelet, Pandora; watch, Oliver Green

‘It’s a perfect example of something being presented to you that you never thought in your wildest dreams you would be asked to do when you’re focused on being an actor,’ he says. ‘I’m a creative guy and I thought, “Why not?” It gives me the opportunity to have an outlet for that particular creativity where I can be hands-on with design and how the product is communicated to its audience in an authentic way. I can also bring my creative friends in on projects and make it fun.’ 

Collaboration is something Andersen values highly, whether on a movie set or working with friends – or simply being around like-minded creatives to connect with. It’s one of the reasons he’s been looking forward to the opening of Soho House Copenhagen. As one of the first people to step foot inside, Andersen is instantly charmed by the blend between our signature Soho House decor and the vibrant colour palette inspired by the work of local artists, such as Lili Elbe. But the real highlight is our outdoor terrace, which overlooks the Nyhavn canal. 

Alex Høgh Andersen: ‘There's nothing less interesting than an actor with no mystery’  | Soho House

Jumper and trousers, both Loro Piana; watch, Oliver Green

Alex Høgh Andersen: ‘There's nothing less interesting than an actor with no mystery’  | Soho House

‘It’s strange because members’ clubs aren’t a very Danish thing,’ he admits. ‘The concept isn’t traditionally something we’re used to, but this is such an amazing addition to Copenhagen. It’s beautiful, but it also instantly feels like somewhere you can come and chill with other creative people. I love the no phones rule – that proves to me that it’s not about trying to tell the world that you’re cool by being here, but actually one of the few places where you’re forced to be present and connect with people.’
 
Andersen is the kind of person one could talk to for hours, but as our time together comes to an end, he takes a sip of his pint and looks at the line-up of vinyl records on the wall: Bob Marley, Nirvana and the Drive soundtrack all feature. ‘That’s one of my favourite movies,’ he tells me, pointing at the latter. ‘I can definitely see myself sitting here with my laptop and doing some work, or just having drinks with friends.’ 

But first, he’s preparing for the release of his very own TV show, which he’s working on as we speak and the fulfilment of his biggest dream to date. ‘I can’t say much, but I’m beyond excited about this,’ he says. ‘I wrote and created it myself with one of my best buddies and I just can’t wait for the world to see it. You have to stay tuned.’ 

Alex Høgh Andersen: ‘There's nothing less interesting than an actor with no mystery’  | Soho House

Jacket and trousers, both Boss; shirt, Samsøe & Samsøe

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