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Photo of Nikolaj Arcel

Nikolaj Arcel

Writer, Director, Actor, Additional Credits
Born August 25, 1972 (52 years)
Nikolaj Arcel (born 25 August 1972; Copenhagen) is a Danish filmmaker and screenwriter. He is best known for his 2012 film A Royal Affair, which won two prizes at the Berlin International Film Festival and which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards, as well as the 2017 American film The Dark Tower.

Arcel was born and raised in Copenhagen. His mother Libby Tata Arcel is a psychologist from the Greek city Mytilene on the island of Lesbos, while his father, Arne Arcel, is an architect from Denmark. His parents divorced when he was seven. His elder sister is actress Nastja Arcel. He attended Bernadotte School in Hellerup and secondary school at Øster Borgerdyd Gymnasium. He then enrolled at the National Film School of Denmark from where he graduated as film director in 2001. His graduation project, the short film Woyzeck's Last Symphony, won the Grand Prix at Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival.

Arcel made his debut in 2004 with the political thriller King's Game, which won him the award for Best Director at the Danish Film Academy Awards. It was followed by the adventure film Island of Lost Souls in 2007 and the generational comedy Truth About Men in 2010. After experiencing an international breakthrough with A Royal Affair, he moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in filmmaking there. He directed the film adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower. The film began principal photography in early 2016, and it was released on 4 August 2017. Arcel will be directing the movie Fables for Warner Bros. In 2022, he reunited with Mikkelsen for The Promised Land.
Movies & Shows on Plex
  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
  • A Royal Affair
Known For
  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
  • The Dark Tower
  • A Royal Affair
  • Riders of Justice
  • The Promised Land
  • Department Q: The Absent One
  • Department Q: A Conspiracy of Faith
  • Department Q: The Keeper of Lost Causes
  • Journal 64
  • King's Game
  • Catch That Kid
  • Ronal the Barbarian
  • Journey to Saturn
  • Millennium
  • Island of Lost Souls
  • Truth About Men
  • Antboy
  • A Death Sentence
  • Fighter
  • Cecilie
  • The selected
  • Seducer's Fall

Filmography

2023
2018
Journal 64 · as Screenplay
2017
The Dark Tower · as Screenplay
2016
2014
2013
2012
A Royal Affair · as Screenplay
2010
Truth About Men · as Screenplay
2010
Millennium (TV Series) · as Screenplay
2009
2008
2007
2007
Island of Lost Souls · as Screenplay
2007
2004
2004
Catch That Kid · as Original Film Writer
2002

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