Peter Franzén is a renowned Finnish actor who has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry, both domestically and internationally. Born in Kemi, Northern Finland, close to the Arctic Circle in Lapland, he has been dedicated to his craft for nearly three decades. Throughout his illustrious career, Franzén has appeared in over 50 films, earning him three prestigious Jussi Awards and seven nominations.
Some of his notable film credits include "The Gunman," where he starred alongside Sean Penn and Javier Bardem, as well as the Finnish films "Heart of a Lion" and "Open Up To Me," which received a nomination for the Nordic Council Film prize. Additionally, "Purge" was selected as Finland's official entry for the Academy Awards. His most recent feature film is "Meander," released in France in 2020.
Franzén's television credits are equally impressive, with a notable role in the popular "Vikings" series (2016-2019) on the History Channel and HBO, where he portrayed King Harald Finehair. He described working and living in Ireland as one of the highlights of his career. His latest TV work includes the series "Wheel of Time" (2019-2020) on Sony Pictures Television and Amazon Studios.
In addition to his acting career, Franzén made his feature directorial debut in 2013 with the film "Above Dark Waters," which was based on a semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. He also adapted and wrote the screenplay. The film was selected as the Finnish entry for the Golden Globes in 2013.
Franzén is a published author, having recently released his third novel, "The Broken Wheel Ranch" (Särkyneen pyörän karjatila). He currently resides in France.
