Johan Widerberg in new dream role

Johan Widerberg is a happy man these days.
    He's just landed a lead role in SVT's big drama venture ”Herr von Hancken”.
    He's going to play the title role in Oscar Wilde's ”The Picture of Dorian Gray” at the Hipp Theatre in Malmö next spring.
   Additionally, it's now confirmed that he's going to be working with Colin Nutley yet again, in his new film ”Gossip”.
   – Yeah, it's really very weird that everything has come all at once. Now I've even had to say no to things that I would really like to do, says Johan Widerberg.
    But the last years Johan hasn't been working at all.
    – I've mainly been frustrated that nothing's turned up that I wanted to do. But at the same time I have an easy time being free from work, he says.
   The days have mostly been spent hanging around with friends, going to movies and - first and foremost - watching sports.
    But now suddenly the really good offers have been coming in at a terrific rate. The first and biggest from SVT.
    – I felt so damn happy just to read the screenplay to "Herr von Hancken". It's been so long since I read something I really liked. It's penetrated by quality, competence and lust.

Set in the 1800's
    Johan is set to play Kallander, a young man who is governess to the "idiot son" of Captain von Hancken.
    The series – which is going to consist of three one-hour episodes – is being directed by Rumle Hammerich and the script written by Ulf Stark is based on a novel by Hjalmar Bergman. The time is early 19th century, the setting is Stockholm.
    The part of daughter of the family is being played by Tuva Novotny ("Skilda världar" [*Separate Worlds], "Tic-Tac") – the rest of the cast is secret as of yet.
    But everything isn't merry for Johan. For as long as he can remember, he's been struggling with his low self esteem.
    And now that he hasn't worked for a long time there is a big anxiety present in the body.
    – I'm incredibly nervous that I'll fail. I haven't worked in two years and I'm a bit rusty. But that also makes the desire greater, says Johan.
    The shooting starts as early as May 29 and continues all through summer.
    Which poses a problem for the sports fanatic Johan Widerberg. Namely that the European Championship finals in football start on June 10.
    – There will be terrible problems. Fortunately the production manager is as fanatic as I am. So I think we can work it out.

Has made a pilot film
    In the future Johan wants to spend more and more time working behind the camera. To direct and walk in dad Bo Widerberg's footsteps.
    – I've tried with a pilot film, but it was rejected. But I'm definitely not giving up on account of that. That will come in the future.
What would make you a good director?
    – That's a question I hate to answer because I have strong self-effacing features. But I have a damn good ear.
Would Bo work as a role model for you?
    – He would definitely be one of them. I've always appreciated his art. He was in many ways a great director.
    ”Herr von Hancken” is scheduled to premiere in the winter or spring of 2001.

Info Name: Johan Widerberg Age: 26 years Occupation: "I've actually started calling myself an actor now". Live: In an apartment in Söder in Stockholm. Family: Has been living with Amanda Rydman for five years. Make: "0 kronor. I haven't been working". Currently of interest in: Has gotten the lead in the drama venture "Herr von Hancken" in SVT.

Johan Widerberg would like to be a director like dad Bo Widerberg. ”I have a damn good ear”, he says. But for now I'm working in front of the camera. (Photo by Ulf Höjer)