Yahoo News Who is Dracula's Claes Bang? And how did he get such a cool name?
Reading the words ‘Claes Bang’ might remind you of seeing a shouty advert for drain cleaner, but remember when we used to make fun of Benedict Cumberbatch’s name? Okay, we still do that.
But, as Claes Bang is now a household name thanks to ‘Dracula’ (he plays the lead in Stephen Moffatt and Mark Gatiss’s new adaptation), we thought now’s the perfect time to present a complete guide to who the Drac he is.
Mostly known as a film actor, Bang started his career 20 years ago in Danish family comedy movie On Our Own (1998). He’s done some telly work, but nothing most people reading this will have watched, unless you’re a big fan of Taxa, At The Faber or Anna Pihl.
Most cineastes will know Bang from 2017's astonishing art-world satire The Square, which won the Palme d'Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Oscar.
“I’m f**king pretty pleased with my career," Bang said when asked about his breakthrough role. "I’ve done so many great things. But to do something like The Square was something I never expected. I got to drive the Ferrari of my profession.”
Bang was given the European Film Award for Best Actor for The Square, making him the first Danish actor to win the award. Basically, Dracula has some serious acting chops behind it.
He’s also a fairly serious theatre performer. Since 2002, Bang has performed a monologue based on Jan Guillou's novel Evil. In 2015, he performed an English-language version at St James Theatre in London. Evil was also adapted into a film in 2003.
More recently, Bang appeared in Fede Alverez’s The Girl In The Spider’s Web, as the infinitely creepy and utterly terrifying Jan Holtser.
Bang was certainly excited about taking on his new, defining role.
He said at the time of the announcement: “I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Dracula, especially when the script is in the hands of the incredible talents of Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss and the team responsible for Sherlock. I’m so excited that I get to dig into this iconic and super-interesting character.
“Yes he’s evil, but there’s also so much more to him, he’s charismatic, intelligent, witty and sexy. I realise that there’s a lot to live up to with all the amazing people that have played him over the years, but I feel so privileged to be taking on this incredible character.”
In a joint statement, Moffat, Gatiss and producers Hartswood Films said about Bang’s casting: "It was one of those moments – who else could it be than Claes! He has it all. Brilliant, gorgeous, charismatic, lethal. Tall, dark and gruesome all at once. Hell has a new boss."
The series is essentially a movie trilogy on telly, with three 90-minute episodes, just don’t expect it to be Sherlock 2. Dracula won't be a modern update, or a show about a crime-solving man in a long coat. No matter what Moffat says.
"Dracula solves crimes!" Moffatt joked when asked what the show would be about, before adding: "I just made that up – it's not that, it's not that!" He then cheekily added: "That's quite good though, isn't it?"
Dracula premiered on BBC One in the UK on Jan 1 and airs on Netflix outside of the UK.
So, if you have problems with limescale, rust, or ground-in dirt in the meantime, under no circumstances should you reach for a bottle of Claes Bang. He’s an actor, not a cleaning product, and his previous work demands respect. Just like Bonerdick Cumberbund.
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