Werner Daehn's journey as an actor began with a four-year study of acting, which laid the foundation for his subsequent roles in various theatre productions throughout Germany. His big-screen breakthrough came in 2002 with a pivotal role as the chain-smoking antagonist opposite Vin Diesel in the blockbuster film Triple X, directed by Rob Cohen. This international recognition was quickly followed by his involvement in notable productions such as THE Lives of Others (2006) and THE Counterfeiters (2007),both of which garnered widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.
Daehn's versatility as an actor was showcased in his subsequent roles, including his portrayal of Hugo Berger in the TV series Fleming about James Bond for BBC America, as well as his depiction of historic figure General Franz Sigel in Field of Lost Shoes (2014),directed by Sean McNamara. His collaboration with Bryan Singer resulted in a notable performance as Major Ernst John von Freyend alongside Tom Cruise in Valkyrie (2008).
In 2012, Daehn reunited with Rob Cohen for the US blockbuster Alex Cross, further solidifying his status as a prominent international actor. He continued to work with notable directors, including Dome Karukoski, with whom he collaborated on the 2016 international co-production Tom Of Finland.
In addition to his film work, Daehn has also made a name for himself in television, with notable roles in the NBC series Constantine, the BBC series UNited, and the 39 Steps, as well as Colditz for ITV. In Germany, he is well-known for his work in the popular crime series Tatort and other crime shows.
In recent years, Daehn has continued to expand his repertoire, wrapping up production on Medieval in December 2018. This drama, centered around 14th-century Czech icon and warlord Jan Zizka, stars Daehn alongside Michael Caine, Ben Foster, and Matthew Goode, and is slated for release in theaters at the end of 2019. Additionally, his roles in the films Werewolf and THE Operative will also be released in 2019, having already garnered awards at various film festivals.