Stellan Skarsgård

Summary

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert: Episode Featuring Stellan Skarsgård

Release Date: May 12, 2025

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert welcomes the internationally acclaimed actor Stellan Skarsgård. Known for his roles in blockbuster films such as Good Will Hunting, Mamma Mia!, and Dune, Skarsgård brings a wealth of experience and charisma to the conversation. The episode delves into his acting career, his family's influence, cultural insights from his Swedish heritage, and his role in the highly anticipated Star Wars series, Andor.

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Early Career and Family Dynamics

Stephen opens the conversation by reflecting on Skarsgård's renowned status, mentioning his sons, Alexander and Bill, who have also gained prominence in the acting world. Skarsgård humorously acknowledges their earlier success:

Stellan Skarsgård [02:29]: "They're fun, but it's, I mean, you invite them before you invite me, which means they're ahead of me in career and stuff. I'm a sort of a Nepo daddy, right?"

Colbert playfully teases him about being a "Nepo zaddy," blending the concept of nepotism with a modern slang term:

Stephen Colbert [02:42]: "Based on the women's reaction around here, I think you're a Nepo zaddy."

This light-hearted exchange sets the tone for a candid discussion about the influence of family in the entertainment industry.

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Cultural Insights and Language

Transitioning to cultural topics, Colbert prompts Skarsgård to share unique Swedish phrases that lack direct English translations. Skarsgård introduces "lagom," a quintessential Swedish concept:

Stellan Skarsgård [04:34]: "There are words that you don't have. Like lagom, for instance."

Stephen Colbert [04:41]: "Lagom."

Stellan Skarsgård [04:41]: "Lagom... it means sort of not too much and not too little. It's very Swedish. So you can have something lagom. It's like a lagom temperature. It's not too hot. It's not too cool."

Colbert humorously summarises it as "extremely medium," highlighting the balanced nature of the term:

Stephen Colbert [04:57]: "It's extremely medium."

This segment offers listeners a glimpse into Swedish culture and language, emphasizing the beauty of concepts that promote balance and moderation.

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Reflections on Youth and Fame

Skarsgård reminisces about his teenage years when he was a heartthrob in Sweden. Colbert jests about his early fame, asking about the experience of having screaming fans at the age of 16:

Stephen Colbert [05:05]: "Now, Americans may not know that you were a heartthrob as a teenager. Who is this muscle-bound youth right there? Who's that guy right there? You were famous as a young man."

Stellan Skarsgård [05:16]: "Yeah, I was like... I mean, I was 16, so we only had one channel of television in that country."

Stephen Colbert [05:28]: "Screaming girls."

Stellan Skarsgård [05:29]: "Really?"

Skarsgård reflects on the positive aspects of his early fame, mentioning the support of his parents in keeping his ego in check:

Stellan Skarsgård [05:35]: "It was in some ways very good for me. I think my ego might have been sort of too inflated, but I had very reasonable parents."

Colbert connects this back to the concept of "lagom," emphasizing balance:

Stephen Colbert [05:47]: "So did they make sure you didn't get too big or too little, that you stayed lagom?"

Stellan Skarsgård [05:53]: "You got the word."

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Star Wars and the Andor Series

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Skarsgård's role in the second season of the Star Wars series, Andor, which is currently streaming on Disney+. Colbert expresses his enthusiasm for the series, praising its depth and character development:

Stephen Colbert [05:26]: "I want to talk about the second season of the Star wars series andor is streaming now. It's great. It's one of the best Star wars things ever made."

Skarsgård reveals details about his character, Luther Nouriel, without divulging spoilers:

Stellan Skarsgård [06:14]: "Luther Nouriel."

He further explains a pivotal scene featured in the podcast, detailing a moment of tension and decision-making regarding a childhood friend and the implications for their mission against the Empire:

Stellan Skarsgård [06:37]: "This is, I suppose, the clip you have is when I'm feeling that one of her friends is sort of getting weak and he's cracking and he becomes a potential risk for us."

Stellan Skarsgård [07:04]: "He told me he'd stay away from Skuldin. He's been pestering him since he arrived. I know I warned you from the start. I just can't believe it."

This exchange highlights the intricate storytelling of Andor, focusing on character dynamics and moral dilemmas.

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Humorous Anecdotes and Personal Interactions

Maintaining the show's signature humor, Colbert shares a playful interaction involving co-star Christine Baranski from Mamma Mia! He references her teasing about his dancing skills and her encouragement to ask him to dance during the interview:

Stephen Colbert [08:00]: "I was just speaking with Christine Baranski, who is one of your co-stars in Mamma Mia. And I hope you won't be offended, but she was talking some smack about your dancing and she encouraged me to ask you to dance at the end of the interview. And I was curious how you would respond."

Stellan Skarsgård [08:31]: "I thought she was a friend."

This light-hearted moment showcases the camaraderie and good-natured ribbing that often occurs among actors.

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Conclusion

Stephen Colbert wraps up the interview by expressing his appreciation for Skarsgård's time and contributions to both the podcast and the entertainment industry. He reminds listeners to watch Andor on Disney+ and promotes additional content available on The Late Show YouTube channel.

Stephen Colbert [08:31]: "Stellan Skarsgård, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late Show POD show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives."

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Key Takeaways

• Family Influence: Stellan Skarsgård acknowledges the impact of his sons' early success on his own career, humorously referring to himself as a "Nepo daddy."

• Cultural Exchange: The discussion of the Swedish word "lagom" offers listeners insight into Swedish culture, emphasizing the value of moderation.

• Reflecting on Fame: Skarsgård shares personal experiences from his teen years as a heartthrob, highlighting the support system that helped maintain his balance.

• Deep Dive into Andor: Skarsgård's role in Star Wars: Andor is explored, shedding light on the complex character dynamics and themes of sacrifice and loyalty within the series.

• Humor and Camaraderie: The episode features playful banter and humorous anecdotes, underscoring the friendly rapport between Colbert and Skarsgård.

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This episode provides a comprehensive look into Stellan Skarsgård's multifaceted career, his Swedish heritage, and his latest endeavors in the Star Wars universe, all delivered with the wit and warmth characteristic of The Late Show Pod Show.

Transcript

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[Stephen Colbert]

It'S the late Show Poncho with Stephen Colbert. Folks, I am so happy to say that my next guest tonight is an internationally renowned actor. You know, from films like Good Will Hunting, Mamma Mia. And Dune. He's also among the world's largest producers of Skarsgrds. Please welcome to the Late Show Stellan Skarsgard.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

How do you get the audience like this? I mean, I would have needed that in the theater.

[Stephen Colbert]

You just tell them that Stellan Skarsgard is here and they just jump to their feet. Thank you. They do it for, they actually do it for a lot of the Skarsgard. This is the first time I've had the honor of having you here, but I've talked to your two of your sons, Alexander and Bill, quite a few times. They're always a lot of fun.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

They're fun, but it's, I mean, you invite them before you invite me, which means they're, they're ahead of me in career and stuff. I'm a sort of a Nepo daddy, right?

[Stephen Colbert]

A little bit. You might even be. You might even be a. Based on the women's reaction around here, I think you're a Nepo zaddy. A little bit, actually. Get me on next week, I think. Anything you want me to tell him? Any message I could send?

[Stellan Skarsgard]

Well, he could get me some pickles from the pickle guys.

[Stephen Colbert]

Some pickles?

[Stellan Skarsgard]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Hold on, let me get the shopping list going here. So pickles, Pickles. Anything else?

[Stellan Skarsgard]

No, no, that's. I mean maybe you can get them and just give to him on the.

[Stephen Colbert]

Show and he'll bring them home to you.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

Yeah, and he'll bring them home.

[Stephen Colbert]

Ok. So source Roman Surf stromming.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

No. You know what that is? Surf stroming. Oh, yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's basically rotting fish.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

It is rotting fish, yes. And I don't know.

[Stephen Colbert]

And it's a delicacy. Yes.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

No, it's not.

[Stephen Colbert]

Alexander told me it was a delicacy.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

Yeah, well, he might like it.

[Stephen Colbert]

You brought me a treat here. Tell me what I'm looking at here. This is sweet.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

Oh, this is Swedish licorice. Licorice.

[Stephen Colbert]

I love licorice. Now is this true? This is salt. Yeah, this is salt. Licorice. Okay. Because you don't want things to be too sweet.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

Well, not too salty either. But that is pretty salty.

[Stephen Colbert]

I can tell. I'm pretty licorice. I'm a licorice lover. Which is the most intense.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

I don't eat that.

[Stephen Colbert]

I'll just try. I'll try and try that. Yeah. Mm. Mm. That is salty. That is licorice jerky is what that is. Okay. You are fluent in both English and Swedish, obviously. Are there any phrases in your native Swedish that you wish we had in English?

[Stellan Skarsgard]

I mean, there are words that you don't have. Like lagom, for instance.

[Stephen Colbert]

Lagom.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

Lagom. Yeah. It's something that is very positive. But it means sort of not too much and not too little. It's very Swedish. So you can have something log. It's a logom temperature. It's not too hot. It's not too cool. Is that.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's extremely medium.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

Yeah, extreme. It's extremely medium.

[Stephen Colbert]

Now, Americans may not know that you were a heartthrob as a teenager. Who is. Who is this muscle bound youth right there? Who's that guy right there? You were famous as a young man.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

Yeah, I was like. It was. I mean, I was 16, so we only had one channel of television in that. In that country.

[Stephen Colbert]

So it wasn't hard to be the number one show in your time slots.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

Was number one show. Screaming girls.

[Stephen Colbert]

Screaming girls.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

Really? Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Was that good for you? How old were you when the girls were screaming?

[Stellan Skarsgard]

16.

[Stephen Colbert]

Was that good for you at 16?

[Stellan Skarsgard]

It was in some ways very good for me. I think my ego might have been sort of too inflated, but I had very reasonable parents.

[Stephen Colbert]

So did they make sure you didn't get too big or too little, that you stayed lagom?

[Stellan Skarsgard]

Lagom.

[Stephen Colbert]

You stayed lagong.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

You got the word.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, yay. Okay. Okay. I want to talk about the second season of the Star wars series andor is streaming now. It's great. It's one of the best Star wars things ever made. Your character, I don't want to give too much away about him. What's your character's name?

[Stellan Skarsgard]

Luther Nouriel.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's one of my favorite things ever in the Star wars universe. In many ways, it's not really even about Star Wars. It's about these characters and what they're doing, what they're willing to sacrifice their interpersonal relationships. And we have a clip here with you and the character Mon Mothma. What do we need to know about before we see it?

[Stellan Skarsgard]

This is, I suppose, the clip you have is when I'm feeling that one of her friends is sort of getting weak and he's cracking and he becomes a potential risk for us.

[Stephen Colbert]

Among the conspiracy that they have against the Empire.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

It's a friend. It's a childhood friend of. And I suggest that we shall take him out.

[Stephen Colbert]

Jim.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

He told me he'd stay away from Skuldin. He's been pestering him since he arrived. I know I warned you from the start. I just can't believe it.

[Advertisement Voice]

I've known him my whole life.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

People fail. That's our curse. What would have happened if I wasn't here? Would you have told me I'm meeting him next week?

[Advertisement Voice]

Yes. Yes, I would have told you. I'll warn him off. I'll find what it takes. I'll get a number.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

You know the number. We'll be vulnerable forever. You need to be protected.

[Advertisement Voice]

I'm not sure what you're saying.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

How nice for you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Fantastic. That's fantastic. I love how nice for you.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

How nice for you.

[Stephen Colbert]

How nice for you. I was just speaking with Christine Baranski, who is one of your co stars in Mamma Mia. And I hope you won't be offended, but she was talking some smack about your dancing and she encouraged me to ask you to dance at the end of the interview. And I was curious. I was just curious how you would respond I was curious how you'd respond if I asked you to dance for us.

[Stellan Skarsgard]

I thought she was a friend.

[Stephen Colbert]

Stellan, thank you so much for being here. Thank you. It was lovely to talk to you. No, no, no. Please, please, please. Don't leave yet. Don't leave yet. Andor is streaming now on Disney. Stellan Skarsgard, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late Show POD show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives.