Rising star Joel Kinnaman has quickly become a highly sought after actor after starring in the Swedish film, Snabba Cash, directed by Daniel Espinosa. The film, which was the first installment of a trilogy based on the international bestseller written by Jens Lapidus, is the highest grossing Swedish film ever made. Kinnaman won the 2011 Guldbagge Award – the Swedish equivalent for the Academy Award – for Best Actor for his work in the film.

Kinnaman captured the attention of Hollywood when he screen tested for the lead roles in George Miller’s Fury Road for Warner Bros. and Kenneth Branagh’s Thor for Paramount. Shortly thereafter, Kinnaman decided to relocate to Los Angeles and he was quickly cast as the male lead in the critically-acclaimed AMC series The Killing, created by Veena Sud.

Immediately following The Killing, Kinnaman traveled to Russia to star as the villainous lead in the Summit / New Regency film The Darkest Hour directed by Chris Gorak. He stars alongside Emile Hirsch and Olivia Thirlby in this that centers on a group of kids who struggle to survive after an alien invasion. The film will be released this December.

Kinnaman also completed shooting roles in the Sony film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for director David Fincher and in the Universal action thriller Safe House opposite Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds.

Recently he starred with Greta Gerwig in the comedy Lola Vs. for director Daryl Wein. The film, about a woman who was dumped by her longtime boyfriend just three weeks before their wedding, will be released by Fox Searchlight.

Most recently Kinnaman completed filming Snabba Cash II in Stockholm.

In addition to receiving the 2011 Guldbagge Award for Snabba Cash, Kinnaman received his first nomination for a Guldbagge Award in 2010 for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in the Swedish mini-series Johan Falk.

Kinnaman, originally from Stockholm, Sweden, is a graduate of the prestigious Swedish Academic School of Drama, whose alumni include Stellan Skarsgard, Peter Stromare and Lena Olin.

Read an interview with Joel Kinnaman from Season 2 »
Read an interview with Joel Kinnaman from Season 1 »