You’ve definitely seen Marc Rissmann before. Maybe you didn't recognize him without the plate armor or the dusty 19th-century immigrant rags, but the guy is everywhere. He has this uncanny ability to vanish into roles that require a certain kind of "intense European gravitas."
Honestly, it's kind of wild. One minute he’s leading a mercenary army in Westeros, and the next, he’s a soft-spoken German carpenter trying to survive a snakebite in the American West. Most people only know him from one or two big hits, but the full list of Marc Rissmann movies and TV shows is a lot more varied than you’d think.
The Big Ones: Westeros and the Oregon Trail
Let's talk about 1883. If you're a fan of the Yellowstone universe, you know Josef. He’s the de facto leader of the German immigrant group, and he carries a huge amount of the show's emotional weight. Rissmann plays him with this quiet, desperate hope. It’s a physical role, too. Seeing him deal with the brutal realities of the trail—translating for his people while watching them die off one by one—is basically the heart of the first few episodes.
Then there’s the Game of Thrones thing.
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Look, we all know how Season 8 went down. But Rissmann’s turn as Harry Strickland, the commander of the Golden Company, was actually a big deal for book fans. In the novels, the Golden Company is this legendary mercenary unit. Rissmann brought a polished, slightly arrogant professionalism to the role. Even if he didn't get to do much besides stand on a horse before King's Landing got roasted, he looked the part perfectly.
Why He’s the Go-To Guy for Period Epics
There is something about his face that just screams "I lived in the 1400s." Producers clearly agree. He showed up in The Last Kingdom as Tekil, a warrior in the early seasons. It’s a similar vibe to his work in Into the Badlands, where he played Nos. He has this "tough but thoughtful" energy that works well in shows where everyone is carrying a sword.
Marc Rissmann’s Filmography: Beyond the Swords
It isn't all horses and chainmail. If you want to see him do something truly creepy, you have to watch The Man in the High Castle. He plays Wilhelm Goertzmann in the final season. Without spoiling too much, he’s involved in one of the most ruthless power plays in the entire series. It’s a cold, calculating performance that is worlds away from the empathetic Josef in 1883.
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And then there's Overlord.
If you haven't seen this J.J. Abrams-produced Nazi-zombie flick, you're missing out. Rissmann plays Scherzer. It’s a high-octane, gory mess of a movie in the best way possible. It shows he can handle big-budget action just as well as slow-burn prestige TV.
Future Projects: What's Next in 2025 and 2026?
The guy isn't slowing down. We’re actually looking at a massive couple of years for him.
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- The Amateur (2025): He’s playing Mishka Blazhic in this CIA thriller alongside Rami Malek. It just hit theaters (and digital recently), and it’s a total shift into modern-day espionage.
- Andor Season 2: This is the big one for Star Wars fans. He’s listed as playing a character named Pluti. Given how gritty Andor is, he fits that universe like a glove.
- Bloodaxe: This is a newer project (2025–2026) where he’s playing a character named Greycloak. Back to the Viking/warrior roots, it seems.
The "German Actor" Trap
A lot of German actors get stuck playing "Generic Villain #2" in Hollywood. Rissmann has managed to dodge that mostly. Sure, he plays soldiers and tough guys, but there’s usually a layer of soulfulness there. Even as a Nazi officer in A Call to Spy (where he played the real-life Klaus Barbie), he doesn't just play a caricature. He plays the humanity—however dark it is—which makes the characters way more terrifying.
He actually started on the stage. He studied at the "Ernst Busch" College of Dramatic Arts in Berlin. That’s a serious school. You can see that training in how he carries himself. He’s not just an "action guy." He’s a theater kid who happens to look like he can win a bar fight.
Where to Start if You’re a New Fan
If you want the full "Marc Rissmann Experience," don't just go for the cameos. Start with 1883. It’s his most "human" performance. Then jump to The Man in the High Castle to see him be absolutely terrifying.
Practical Watch List
- 1883 (Paramount+): Watch for the chemistry between him and his on-screen wife, Risa (played by his real-life wife, Ana Ularu).
- Spy/Master (HBO): A great 2023 series if you like Cold War tension.
- Tribes of Europa (Netflix): This is a weird, post-apocalyptic German show where he plays Balthus. It’s stylish and underrated.
- The Amateur (20th Century): Catch this if you want to see him in a high-stakes modern thriller.
Basically, Marc Rissmann is the guy you hire when you need a character to feel grounded, dangerous, or deeply burdened. Whether he’s in a galaxy far, far away or the mud of the American frontier, he’s usually the most interesting person on screen. Keep an eye out for him in Andor—it’s probably going to be his biggest role yet.
To keep up with his latest work, check out his recent turn in The Amateur or catch up on the Yellowstone prequels if you've been living under a rock. His transition from German TV regular to international staple is pretty much a masterclass in how to build a character-actor career in the 2020s.