486: A Conversation With Gustaf Skarsgård ('To Cook A Bear')

In this episode, Christina talks with actor Gustaf Skarsgård, who is powerful in the historical crime drama To Cook a Bear(Hulu/Disney+), based on the bestselling novel by Mikael Niemi. They discuss embodying the Pastor, a fascinating, paradoxical character inspired by the real Lars Levi Laestadius, a man caught between faith, science, and survival in 1850s Sweden. The story weaves together themes of polarization, racism, class, and belief within a haunting detective mystery set against the stark northern wilderness.

They also talk about Skarsgård’s thoughtful approach to acting — how he chooses his roles, from Oppenheimer to Soderbergh’s Black Bag to his upcoming role as Wallander — and how he has found more sustainable ways of working and living after past struggles with addiction.

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