Sidse Babett Knudsen

Sidse Babett Knudsen (; born 22 November 1968) is a Danish actress who works in theatre, television, and film. Knudsen made her screen debut in the 1997 improvisational comedy '' Let's Get Lost'', for which she received both the Robert and Bodil awards for Best Actress.

Following the critical success of her debut, Knudsen has been considered one of the top Danish actresses of her generation.Morten Piil, ''Danske Filmskuespillere'', Copenhagen: Gyldendal, 2001, p.238 In 2000, she again won both best actress awards for the comedy romance '' Den Eneste Ene'' (English title: '' The One and Only''). In 2016, she won the César Award for Best Supporting Actress for the film '' Courted'' (''L'Hermine''). Knudsen has also received award nominations for her roles in '' Monas Verden'' ('' Mona's World'') and '' Efter brylluppet'' ('' After the Wedding'').

Knudsen achieved international recognition for her leading role as fictional Danish Prime Minister Birgitte Nyborg in the Danish TV series '' Borgen'', and for her role as Theresa Cullen in the HBO science fiction- Western television series ''Westworld''.

Personal life

Knudsen was born 22 November 1968 in Copenhagen, the daughter of Ebbe Knudsen, a photographer, and Susanne Andersen, a school teacher. During her childhood, the family lived in Tanzania where her parents undertook volunteer work. Upon returning to Denmark, Knudsen attended a "creative school." Knudsen is unmarried and is the mother of one son born in 2004.

Knudsen speaks native Danish, and has native fluency in English and French.

Acting career

From 1987 to 1990 Knudsen trained in acting at the Theatre de l'Ombre in Paris despite initially knowing little French. Upon returning to Denmark, Knudsen played roles for the experimental theatre OVINE 302 as well as at the Betty Nansen Theatre and the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen.

In 1997 Knudsen debuted in the lead role of Julie in Jonas Elmer's slice-of-life comedy ''Let's Get Lost''. The film's script was only an outline, requiring the actors to improvise their roles and dialogue.Peter Schepelern, "Internationalisering og dogme", ''100 Års Dansk Film'', Copenhagen; Rosinante, 2001 p. 343 Knudsen said she was not very good at improvisation and accepted the part only because she thought it would be a lightweight summer comedy. The film became a breakout hit in Denmark and Knudsen received both the Robert Award and the Bodil Award for Best Actress.Morten Piil
"Barbara versus Babett"
''Information'', 10 March 1998 Critics called Knudsen's performance dominating. Film critic Kim Skotte of '' Politiken'' wrote that Knudsen had hit a new tone with a "special ability to capture the modern woman's uncertainty and strength".Kim Skotte
"Den Eneste Ene er et nyt kapitel i historien om den danske komedie"
'' Politiken'', 1 April 1999, written in Danish as "Med Let's Get Lost blev det slået fast, at dansk film i Sidse Babett Knudsen havde fået en skuespillerinde, som ramte en helt ny tone. En skuespillerinde med en særlig evne til at indfange den moderne kvindes usikkerhed og styrke."

Following her appearance in the 1998 mystery ''Motello'', Knudsen played the lead character in Susanne Bier's 1999 romantic comedy '' Den Eneste Ene''. The film became one of the decade's biggest box-office hits in Denmark. It marked a new direction in modern Danish romantic comedies with credit given to Knudsen's acting style. Knudsen's portrayal of Sus, a woman who becomes pregnant by her unfaithful husband while she loves another man, again earned her both the Robert Award and the Bodil Award for Best Actress.

Knudsen returned to work with Elmer in 2000 as the title character in the comedy ''Mona's Verden''. As in Elmer's first film, Knudsen was required to improvise her dialogue and character. Knudsen's portrayal of Mona, an uptight accountant who tries to stave off the romantic infatuation of a bank robber while being held hostage, earned her a Bodil Award nomination for Best Actress.

In 2020 she starred in the BBC drama ''Roadkill'' as the mistress of a British Tory politician played by Hugh Laurie.

Knudsen reprised her role as Prime Minister Nyborg in the Netflix revival of ''Borgen'', which was released in 2022.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

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External links

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Sidse Babett Knudsen
at Den Danske Film Database (in Danish)
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Knudsen, Sidse Babett
Danish stage actresses
Danish film actresses
Danish television actresses
1968 births
Living people
Actresses from Copenhagen
Recipients of the Crown Prince Couple's Culture Prize
Best Actress Bodil Award winners
20th-century Danish actresses
21st-century Danish actresses
Best Supporting Actress César Award winners
Best Actress Robert Award winners