Soon there will be another change of the main character in the series “Commissioner Alex”. The place of commissioner Andrzej Sochoń (Jacek Knap) will be taken by Paweł Kozera. What do we know about him?
– He is also a police commissioner, he previously worked in another department, but he was offered to move to the criminal department, with which he recently took down the narcotics department. This was largely helped by the irreplaceable police dog, Aleks, so my hero already knows him, and soon they will get to know each other even better and become inseparable. Because Kozera will take over not only Sochoń’s position, but also the dog.
Commissioner Sochoń was a native highlander, and where does your hero come from?
– From Łódź, where the action of “Commissioner Alex” takes place and where the series headquarters is located. Kozyra is a long-time resident of Łódź, he knows every yard, every gate where various shady cases take place, he knows the local criminal environment perfectly and there is no case he cannot solve.
– Łódź is also close to me, I studied at the local film school for four years, I know this city well – maybe not as well as my hero and not from this side, but the sentiment remains. That’s why, among other things, I was very happy that I won the casting for this role (and the fight was long and hard), because thanks to it I have the opportunity to go back to the “old trash” and feel like the good old student days… (smile )
Although we won’t see you on screen until April, you’ve been shooting since the end of last year – several hours a day, away from home and your family. It is hard?
– If it weren’t for my wonderful wife, who takes care of the entire house and four children so wonderfully, I wouldn’t be able to play the role of Kozera. Baby, you are great! THANK YOU!!! It can be difficult, but it’s not exaggerated, because it’s not far from Łódź to Warsaw, about 1.5 hours, and I’m home. I even managed to go to my daughters and wife’s concert at the music school, the sight of their surprised faces was priceless – I love it – just a short break from work and I’m back. I have been in the profession for years and I know that when there is work, you work where you are, and when there is no work, you do other things…
– For example, he runs… a grocery store – like you – and everyone is talking about it. What about him now that you’re still not at home?
– He’s taking a break from me for a while. If you are interested, please visit Warzywniak for more details…
Where did the idea for an actor’s grocery store come from?
– I’ve been thinking about it for years, but there just wasn’t enough time. It wasn’t until the pandemic that the world changed and actors had less work (or no work at all) and then I decided to implement this plan. The construction of the store took three months, I created a network of people, family and friends who supported me – I remember this time wonderfully and this experience gave me a lot. People nearby looked on in disbelief. – Mr. Marcin, where are the hidden cameras, is this some kind of joke? – they kept asking, and then they got used to it. The store was in full swing, I worked 18 hours a day. I stood behind the counter myself, only then other sellers appeared. Once upon a time, right after high school leaving exams, before I got into the acting department, I studied economics in Warsaw for two years. It is possible that I was bitten by the business bug there and hence the desire to start my own business.
Why vegetables?
– Because it is the same health, smells of the four seasons, sensuality, joy and poetry. I met fantastic suppliers who provided me with the highest quality goods, the customers were satisfied and so was I. After all, food connects people, it is necessary for life, the world actually revolves around it.
Interestingly, you successfully combine both areas – trade and acting – which seem so distant from each other…
– I know many actors who do other things besides acting, and I am no exception. I play not only in TV series, but also in many shows of traveling theaters with which I travel across Poland. Recently, of course, with longer stops in Łódź.
How did you find your way into the close-knit team of “Commissioner Alex” who had known each other for years?
– Saying well is like saying nothing. Excellent! These are wonderful, fantastic, and at the same time very normal people, they welcomed me kindly, as if they were one of their own. Dear friends, THANK YOU! There are also real policemen on the set, and I would especially like to say hello to Krzych, who coordinates the work with weapons. Great guy! After 15 years, he reminded me how to hold it in my hand, corrected my mistakes and bad habits, and did a great job. As it turns out, I have a knack for it and usually look forward to the action scenes.
Are you as good with a gun as you are with your dog Alex?
– I have a dog at home, so I know a little how to deal with animals. The series’ Alex is played by two dogs, stunt dogs, as they say. They are real professionals, Tosiek and Aleksy. They exchange each other in different scenes, depending on their predispositions. Tosiek is more subtle and delicate – he solves problems with his heart, while Aleksy, ultra-fit physically, a bit of a rascal – solves them with cunning and bravery. I really like playing with a dog, I open up to it, I draw on its intuition, I like a certain element of improvisation that comes with working with an animal. Everything is a challenge here, so there is no boredom or routine. This is great fun for the actor.
This role requires a lot of physical fitness – but that’s probably no problem for you, an extreme sports enthusiast. You used to fly helicopters and jump with a parachute…
– It’s all in the past, now I’m the head of a six-person family, we have four children – the greatest in the world! – so I had to put a stop to this madness. But I haven’t given up my activity completely, I love chopping wood for the fireplace, I “exercise” myself at home, doing all kinds of construction and repair work. My wife knows that the best gifts for me are saws, grinders and jigsaws, which I make great use of. I also renovate houses for neighbors and friends – thanks to this I gain people’s gratitude, and I am constantly on the move, which is good for my health. Moreover, I run regularly to stay in shape and I had no worries as to whether I would cope with the role in “Commissioner Alex”.
Before you, in the Polish edition, there were already five commissioners – so comparisons will be inevitable…
– And very good, I’m looking forward to it! In this profession, we are constantly compared to someone else, we have to like it, there is no choice. I watched my predecessors out of curiosity, the boys did a good job, each in their own way, just like I do now. I’m not going to model myself on anyone or imitate anyone – my hero will be the way I imagined him, the way I feel, see and want to show him. I invite you to watch!
How long will your adventure with the series last?
– I’m not a fortune teller, it’s hard to predict. I would certainly like it to be a long and happy cooperation and for the viewers of my commissioner Paweł Kozera to like… (smile)
Interviewed by: Jolanta Majewska-Machaj
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