If you’ve spent any time at all scrolling through Netflix’s international catalog over the last few years, you’ve definitely seen his face. He’s got that specific look—sharp, slightly ethereal, and usually covered in either mud, rain, or a look of existential dread. I’m talking about Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen, the Danish actor who basically became the poster child for high-stakes European drama.
Most people know him as Rasmus from The Rain, but his filmography is actually a lot more varied than just "boy survives the apocalypse." From his early days as a child actor in Denmark to landing roles in massive multilingual hits like 1899, the guy has been on a serious trajectory. Honestly, it’s rare to see a young actor jump from local Danish comedies to global sci-fi blockbusters so seamlessly.
Let’s get into the actual Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen movies and tv shows that you should be watching, because there’s more to his career than just the hits you see on the front page.
The Big Breaks: Netflix and the Rise of Rasmus
You can't talk about Lucas without talking about The Rain. It was Netflix’s first Danish original series, and for three seasons, Tønnesen carried a huge chunk of that narrative. He played Rasmus Andersen, the kid whose DNA literally held the key to a world-ending virus. It was a weird, moody show. But what made it work was how Lucas handled the character's evolution. He starts as this innocent, sheltered boy and ends up—well, without spoiling too much—as something much more complicated and morally gray.
It’s actually fascinating to watch him grow up on screen during that show. He was only about 17 or 18 when it started.
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Then came Borgen – Power & Glory in 2022. If you haven't seen the original Borgen, it’s basically the gold standard of political drama. Lucas stepped in for the revival as Magnus Nyborg Christensen, the son of the protagonist Birgitte Nyborg. It was a smaller role compared to The Rain, but it showed he could handle grounded, intellectual drama just as well as he could handle running from toxic clouds. He played a teenager grappling with his mother’s political legacy and his own activism, and he brought a lot of quiet intensity to it.
The 1899 Experience and Multilingual Mastery
Then we have 1899. This show was a massive swing from the creators of Dark. It was filmed on a "Volume" stage (that high-tech LED screen tech they use for The Mandalorian) and featured a cast from all over the world speaking their native languages. Lucas played Krester, a Danish passenger with a mysterious scar and a deeply tragic family backstory.
Working on a show like that is basically an actor's masterclass. He had to act alongside people speaking Cantonese, Spanish, French, and Polish, often without fully "understanding" the words in the scene. He's mentioned in interviews that it felt like a "fever dream," which honestly makes sense given the plot of that show. Even though Netflix famously (and controversially) canceled it after one season, his performance as Krester remains one of the most heartbreaking parts of the series.
Beyond the Streaming Giants: Films and Early Work
Before he was a "Netflix star," Lucas was doing the work in Denmark. He actually made his film debut back in 2013.
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- The Keeper of Lost Causes (Kvinden i buret): This is part of the famous Department Q series. He played a young Lasse. It’s a gritty crime thriller, very classic Nordic Noir.
- Player: A comedy from 2013 where he had a smaller role, showing he didn't start out just doing dark, brooding dramas.
- Paradise (2023): More recently, he appeared in this German sci-fi thriller on Netflix. He played Dr. Falter Berg. It’s a movie about a world where you can trade years of your life for money. Very Black Mirror-esque.
He's also done a bunch of short films like Salmon (2023), where he played August, and Katarakt, where he played a character named Arlo. Short films are usually where actors get to experiment, and looking at his choices, he clearly has a thing for indie, atmospheric projects.
What’s Coming Next in 2025 and 2026?
The industry moves fast, and Lucas isn't slowing down. One of the most anticipated projects on his horizon is The Wolf, the Fox and the Leopard, expected in 2025. This looks to be another dive into the surreal and psychological, which seems to be his sweet spot.
There’s also talk of a project called The Weight slated for 2026. While details are still a bit thin, it’s being tracked as a significant role for him. He’s also been cast in Rejseholdet - det første mord, which translates to The Unit - The First Murder. This is a huge deal in Denmark because Rejseholdet is a legendary Danish police procedural (it’s actually where Mads Mikkelsen got his big break). Bringing it back for a "first murder" prequel or reboot with Lucas is a massive vote of confidence in his star power.
Why Does He Keep Getting Cast in Sci-Fi?
It’s a fair question. Between The Rain, 1899, and Paradise, the guy is basically the king of European sci-fi right now. Part of it is just his "look"—he has this striking, almost non-human aesthetic that works perfectly for futuristic or supernatural stories. But more than that, he’s good at playing characters who are carrying a massive burden. He does "internalized trauma" better than most actors in his age bracket.
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He also seems very comfortable with the technical side of modern filmmaking. Acting against green screens or in the Volume requires a specific kind of focus, and he’s proven he can deliver an emotional performance even when he’s surrounded by LED walls and motion-tracking cameras.
How to Watch Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen’s Best Work
If you’re looking to do a deep dive, here is the most efficient way to navigate his career:
- Start with The Rain (Netflix): Watch the first season to see him find his footing. It’s the essential Lucas performance.
- Watch Borgen – Power & Glory: If you want to see him in a "normal" setting without monsters or viruses. It shows his range.
- Check out 1899: Even though it's only one season, the production value is insane, and his chemistry with the rest of the ensemble is great.
- Look for The Keeper of Lost Causes: If you can find it on a rental platform, it’s a great glimpse into his start as a child actor in a top-tier Danish production.
He’s not just another "teen heartthrob" actor. He’s making deliberate, often difficult choices in the roles he takes. Whether he’s speaking Danish in a gritty crime drama or navigating a multilingual conspiracy on a ghost ship, he brings a level of sincerity that’s hard to fake.
For anyone tracking the next generation of European talent, his name is one to remember. He’s already moved past the "promising newcomer" phase and is now a reliable lead who can carry a high-concept series. Keep an eye on those 2025 and 2026 releases; they’ll likely determine if he makes the full jump into Hollywood blockbusters or stays the king of the European indie scene.
To stay updated on his newest projects, you should regularly check the Danish Film Institute's database or follow European production house announcements from Snowglobe or SAM Productions, as they tend to be the ones pushing his latest work into the international market. Searching for the original Danish titles of his films on streaming services can also help you find projects that might be hidden behind English-only search filters.