Mads Mikkelsen's remarkable achievements have mirrored the outstanding success of the Danish film industry since the mid-1990s.
Born in Østerbro, Copenhagen, to Bente Christiansen, a dedicated nurse, and Henning Mikkelsen, a skilled banker, Mikkelsen's early life laid the foundation for his future accomplishments.
Starting his career as a low-life pusher/junkie in the 1996 critically acclaimed film Pusher, Mikkelsen gradually rose to become one of Denmark's most prominent movie actors. His notable successes in his home country include the 2000 film Flickering Lights, the 2001 film Shake It All About, and the Emmy-winning police series Unit One, which premiered in 2000.
Mikkelsen's success has not been limited to his native Denmark, as he has also made a significant impact internationally. He has shared the screen with renowned actors such as Gérard Depardieu in the 2002 film I Am Dina, and in the 2003 Spanish comedy Torremolinos 73. Additionally, he has appeared in the 2004 American blockbuster King Arthur.
Mikkelsen's most notable international role to date is his portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the critically acclaimed NBC series Hannibal, which aired from 2013 to 2015 and received widespread acclaim.