“Secrets” is a moving and very turbulent story of siblings who have to face the difficult history of their family. Mads has a loving family and a permanent job at a high school in Copenhagen, where he teaches music. He is also a member of a rock band that he still creates, although he has not performed in front of an audience for several years. In addition to his passion for music, he also inherited an old piano from his father. However, this is not the man’s only hobby.
Mads is very willing to fall into the arms of random women and use stimulantsand seeks absolution in the home of his beloved sister.
We can watch Pilou Asbæk in a difficult role a few years ago we could watch it in the series “Game of Thrones” as Euron Greyjoy.
Pilou Asbæk was born in Copenhagen as Johan Philip in 1982. He started his career mainly in Danish productions. From 2010 to 2013, Asbæk played the role of PR specialist Kasper Juul in the critically acclaimed Danish television series “Borgen”. In 2014, he appeared alongside Scarlett Johansson in the movie “Lucy”and a few years later in “Ghost in the Shell”.
As you can see, the actor did not limit himself only to domestic productions and quickly found his place in Hollywood productions. He gained considerable recognition on international screens thanks to his appearance in the hit HBO series “Game of Thrones”. He played the role of Euron Greyjoy, who sided with Cersei Lannister in the fight for power.
In 2025, he played one of the main roles in the series “Secrets”, a Interia’s editorial staff had the opportunity to talk to him about this exceptionally difficult role, his career development in Hollywood and how viewers often confuse reality with fiction.
Patrycja Otfinowska, Interia: Tell us about your hero and who is this man for you?
Pilou Asbæk: “Secrets” is a very personal story. It’s a very, very beautiful portrait of a generation I know very well. The script and direction are based on real events, on a true story. And the character Mads that I play is a guy that I’ve met many, many, many times in my life over the last 20 years. So, as I said, it’s a very personal story.
Have you ever faced similar problems yourself? Did you draw knowledge from your own experience or that of people close to you?
– Personally, I am the father of a family. I have been married to the same woman for 20 years. I know people who have struggled with drugs their whole lives. They self-medicate because they feel terrible inside. And it was these people that I contacted and talked to to gain knowledge and insight into their character.
Are alcohol and drugs a big problem in your country?
– Alcohol in Poland and Denmark is a very, very serious matter. We have a whole new generation of young people who are drinking, smoking and taking more drugs than ever before. And we can just say, “Okay,” and accept it. Or we can say we don’t think it’s right. And personally I think we have to do something about it. Because yes, it’s too much.
Can the series “Secrets” help in any way?
– The beauty of fiction sometimes is that it is a good catalyst. This is a good conversation starter. You know, when you watch something and you think, “Oh, this reminds me of him. This reminds me of my uncle. Do you think my uncle had a drug problem? Do you think he was an alcoholic?” Sometimes fiction is a good invitation to a conversation in the real world.
I don’t want to tell you what to think when you watch something I starred in. I want you to think about what you just watched. The same thing happens when you go to a museum. There is no painter there. Or when you read a book, there is no writer next to you to explain it to you. What did you see? What have you read? And for me, some people think about drugs. Some people think about alcohol. Some people think about being in a relationship with someone who is abusive. Everyone gets something individual out of it and I think that’s the most important thing.
Do non-Hollywood actors have to put in more work to become recognizable? Do they have to prove more to get a job there? You’ve had some very popular roles – you’re not American, but you’ve played in many Hollywood productions.
– I won’t lie. It’s a lot of hard work when you’re not Native American and you’re in American movies. It’s difficult. But the good thing is that I can always come back home and work on my European job, which I love very much.
Is working in the USA different from working in Europe?
– The work is the same. The acting is the same, but the level, the size of the production are completely different. Different budget, money, it’s very different.
I have to ask about Game of Thrones. You played Euron Greyjoy, which definitely influenced your recognition, at least in Poland – many people associate you with this role. Tell me, did this performance change anything in your life or have a significant impact on your career?
– At that time I was playing in the series “Borgen”, which Dan and David (Dan B. Weiss and David Benioff – producers of “Game of Thrones” – editor’s note) really liked. That’s why I joined Game of Thrones. And yes, the show changed my life in many ways. It changed my consciousness. As you just said, now people know me in Poland – people know me in Poland because of Game of Thrones! I have played in many films and productions, but “Game of Thrones” is definitely the biggest. And I loved the series. I was very, very grateful for Game of Thrones. Has it changed me? NO. I’m still a father. I am still a husband and a son. So it hasn’t changed. Would I choose life without Game of Thrones? Absolutely not. I loved every moment. I’m a big fan myself.
What is your favorite character from the series?
– I like the character of Nikolaj (Coster-Waldau – editor’s note): Jamie Lannister.
You are waiting for the third season “Dragon Bloodline”?
– No, I’m not waiting. I didn’t see it. I haven’t actually watched Game of Thrones since I left it. I haven’t watched a second of Game of Thrones since the fifth episode of the sixth season.
Mads in “Secrets” is not a very good character and neither is Euron Greyjoy. What is your way of distancing yourself from characters and dealing with audience reactions?
– I’m an actor. I’m pretending. I portray. I use my imagination. There’s nothing of me in Euron Greyjoy. There’s a lot more of me in Mads, but I’m not Mads. This is a fictional story, inspired by real events.
Has anyone ever stopped you on the street and asked why you acted this way in the series, confusing the actor and the character?
– Have I been threatened? Of course. That’s why I have a secret address where I live in Denmark. It’s part of my job, something I have to accept, but that’s okay. It means I did my job well. I have only felt unsafe a few times in my life and that is why I lead a quiet life.