‘Andor’ Star Calls TV “Poor Man’s Storytelling” but Praises His Work on ‘Andor’

Stellan Skarsgård, the veteran Swedish actor known for roles in films like Good Will Hunting, Mamma Mia!, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Thor series, recently shared his thoughts on television and why he rarely takes on TV projects.

In an interview with The Film Stage, Skarsgård explained that he generally finds TV shows limiting and uninspired.

“Normal television writing is: everything is in the text, everything is explained. So it doesn’t matter who plays it or who directs it; people will understand it even while they’re doing the wash or cleaning the kitchen. It’s poor man’s storytelling, easy and cheap. I get depressed when I watch it,” he said.

Despite his reservations, Skarsgård made an exception for Andor, the Star Wars spinoff streaming series. He praised the show’s approach, noting that it doesn’t follow traditional TV formulas and allows more depth for actors and directors to explore.

Skarsgård has had a long and varied career, beginning in Sweden before breaking into Hollywood. He has appeared in acclaimed films such as Breaking the Waves, The Hunt for Red October, and Chernobyl, while also taking part in large franchise projects like Thor and The Avengers.

His career is known for blending intense dramatic roles with blockbuster appearances, and his willingness to take on Andor demonstrates his interest in high-quality, cinematic storytelling on TV.

In discussing Andor, Skarsgård made it clear that the series offered something different from standard television: more nuance, complexity, and a cinematic feel that matched the Star Wars universe.

Skarsgård’s comments reflect a broader tension in Hollywood between traditional TV formats and more ambitious streaming projects that blur the lines between film and television. His experience shows that even actors who usually avoid TV can be drawn to projects that treat the medium with care and depth.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!