– I want to create my own name
Niels Skåber is a name you may not have heard before, but it is guaranteed to be a name you will hear more of in the future!
The 20-year-old recently debuted on the screen in the Netflix film Royalty: The Heirwhich was the most watched non-English language film on the streaming service in August.
Hey Norway! 🇳🇴
I The royalty Niels Skåber (born in 02) plays the character Gunnar, who can be described as the prince’s artistic friend.
Prince Karl Johan, played by Mathias Storhøi (born in 01), is often seen together with the characters of Niels Skåber and Filip Bargee Ramberg (born in 01) who plays Arni.
See also: 730.no x Mathias Storhøi and Ines Høysæter Asserson
Niels Skåber is (as you may have guessed) the son of all of Norway’s Linn Skåber 👑
And it is clear that he has inherited some of the talent from his mother and father.
The Copenhagen-based Oslo boy is also the son of Atle Halstensen, who is co-owner and artistic director of the production company Scenekvelder. They put on all the big musicals at Folketeateret in Oslo, which Annie, The sound of music and Mamma Mia!.
And if the Halstensen name sounds familiar, we can also report that Niels is also the brother of Silje Halstensen aka the artist (and eternal Brann patriot) Bendik.
Niels Skåber has plenty of creative sources of inspiration around him.
And after the Netflix success, the 20-year-old is now ready with yet another big venture.
This time in a drama series on its own the state channel.
In the new series Afterglowwhich premieres on Sunday 2 October, plays Niels’ teenage son Lars.
Hers we also meet established names such as Thorbjørn Harr, Nina Ellen Ødegaard, Sara Khorami and Per Kjerstad.
Long before the premiere, the series was nominated for a number of awards below The TV festival Canneseriesbut unfortunately there were no awards for the NRK group.
We meet the young, beloved actor at the 730.no office in Oslo.
Niels Skåber talks about the roles in The royalty and Afterglowand what it’s like to grow up as the sons of one of Norway’s biggest actors.
We are also curious how he believes in his career.
Hi Niels! How is your day going?
– It’s going well! I feel very nice during the day.
What have you done in the last year?
– I started at Borup folkehøgskole in Copenhagen in January. So really, I’ve just been living in Copenhagen, and will continue to do so until Christmas.
You play Gunnar in Royalty: The Heir. How has it been?
– It was very good to play Gunnar! I can recognize myself in much of what he says and does. It was also delicious to play with so many friends. It made me feel very safe.
– It has been a really good atmosphere on set. It’s been friends hanging out every time we’ve been on set!
Can you describe The royalty-the character your Gunnar in three words?
– Funny, distant and happy.
What has it been like to work for a renowned director like Per Olav Sørensen (Home for Christmas, Nobel, People in the sun)?
– It was very nice to work with Per Olav. I felt safe in sight. He was good at getting to talk and joke with the actors between takes and during the breaks. It was lovely that he was open to suggestions as actors, so that all scenes could be different from the way it was written in the script.
It is not just Per Olav Sørensen who is behind the success of the Netflix film. The veteran has directed together with director, documentarian and actor Emilie Beck.
She has previously worked behind the camera for, among other things Three Nuts for Cinderella, and is behind a number of documentaries. Among other things No place like home about adopted Priyangika, which we recommend everyone to watch!
We will also see you soon Afterglow. What role do you have in the NRK series?
– I play a boy who has a mother who gets cancer. The series is about what it is like to get a message for her, but also for family and friends.
– We have tried not to make it so gloomy and heavy, although it is like cancer which is different main theme, so there are many stories around. It’s a lot of humor combined with the heavy. It was exciting and nice to play.
Exciting! How did you get started in acting?
– Well, when I started acting in earnest was probably when I played Oliver Twist, maybe. I played that when I was about 11 years old. That’s when I got really like “Ok, this is what I’m going to drive with”.
– Since then I have taken the drama line at Nissen and now I go to theater at Borups in Copenhagen.
– I feel I do my best every day, it’s absolutely fantastic, Niels tells 730.no with a big smile.
You have a family that works in the creative industry. How do you think it has affected you?
– I think it just affected me in a good way. It’s nice to know that I can always ask both my parents for advice and they will give me different advice.
– If I need help with a self-tape, I know that mum can help me with it. At the same time, I want to create my own name.
Also read: – It’s natural to choose the same profession as the family, says The royalty-colleague Mathias Storhøi to 730.no
You are the son of one of Norway’s most established actors. What are the advantages of being called Skåber as a surname?
– The benefits are the practical help I get. Help with contracts when I have to show up, what is too early, what is too late. It is very fine.
What do you feel is the biggest disadvantage then?
– You always walk around with the thought of “Am I good enough?”…Ugh, now it got very sad here. The last six months have been a huge confidence boost for me.
– I just have to keep working on it. I really feel like I’m living in a dream.
Side note: Niels Skåber could be played the brother of Jakob Schøyen?
Apart from your own mother, which actor in Norway do you look up to the most?
– Ohh, it’s difficult. I have to say Jakob Oftebro, he is absolutely raw. Every time I see him play in something, I think «Yesss!».
– This spring he was actually a guest teacher at Borups. He taught us how to do auditions and stuff.
Where are you a dream for your career?
– Maybe to play in something with my best friend, Ylva Fuglerud. If we could each play our part in something together, or even put something together.
– Most of all, the dream is for me to feel that the acting career is going somewhat smoothly.
Good luck, Niels 🌟 We have faith in you!