Jon Øigarden Lands Role in season 8 of “The Rookie”
Norwegian actor Jon Øigarden, renowned for his work in Scandinavian television, has joined the cast of the popular American police procedural “The Rookie” for its eighth season, now streaming on TV 2 Play.
Øigarden, 54, appears in the premiere episode of the new season, marking a notable international appearance for the actor best known for his portrayal of “Jeppe” in the acclaimed NRK series “Exit.” The casting represents an unusual move for the long-running ABC drama, which has historically featured an exclusively American cast in leading roles.
The actor portrays the character “Lukas Wegner” in a limited capacity, acknowledging the role as a small one. “I had a swift look yesterday. I know I’m not involved much, it was a small role,” Øigarden shared wiht Dagbladet. Despite the limited screen time,the experience presented unique challenges.
Filming took place in Prague, adding an international dimension to the season’s storyline. According to Øigarden, integrating into an established production proved demanding. “They have worked together for a long time, know both the team and the actors, and then you come in completely new. It’s fast and very efficient,so you have to take a seat without knowing anyone. It’s a bit more challenging than having a lot to do,” he explained. He noted this dynamic isn’t exclusive to international productions.
Øigarden approaches his character as a nuanced individual, rejecting stereotypical portrayals.”Villain sounds very caricatured, with scary eyes and dark voice. Villains are ordinary people too. I just thought he was a criminal, well then you can just be normal,” he stated. The possibility arose quickly, with the actor receiving the offer through his agent and finding the timing convenient.
The role adds to a distinguished career for Øigarden, who has become a familiar face in Norwegian television and film. He is widely recognized for his work in “Exit,” where he embodied the complex financier “Jeppe” Schøitt, and has also garnered international attention for his role as Jarl Varg in the comedy series “Norsemen.” Additional credits include “Mammon,” “Berlinerpoplene,” “22 July,” “Kraftidioten.”
[Image of Jon Øigarden in “Exit”. Photo: Fremantle/NRK]
[Image of Jon Øigarden in “The Rookie” as Lukas Wegner. Screenshot: TV 2]
why did Jon Øigarden join “The Rookie”? Øigarden accepted a limited role as “Lukas Wegner” in Season 8 of “The Rookie” after receiving an offer through his agent, finding the timing convenient. The role, though small, presented an engaging challenge and an opportunity to work on an international production.
Who is Jon Øigarden? Øigarden is a 54-year-old Norwegian actor best known for his roles in Scandinavian television, especially as “Jeppe” in the NRK series “exit” and Jarl Varg in “Norsemen.” he is a prominent figure in Norwegian film and television.
What is his role in “The rookie”? He plays “Lukas Wegner,” a character described as a criminal, in the premiere episode of Season 8.The role is limited in scope, with Øigarden acknowledging he doesn’t have meaningful screen time.
How did the experience go? Øigarden found integrating into the established production challenging, as he was joining a team with a long-standing working relationship. He described the environment as fast-paced and efficient, requiring him to quickly adapt. Despite the challenges,he described the experience as positive and valuable. The role concluded after the premiere episode, fulfilling its limited scope.
