The mystery of Maskorama is on everyone’s lips: who is behind the splendid costumes this year? Several names have been tossed around in hopes of finding the right celebrity. One of the names is actor Jakob Oftebro (36).
Not just him potentially he put on a zombie mask, took the stage and sang his heart out, but this fall he also put on another kind of mask.
For now he is making his debut in a brand new role you have never seen him in, as the drug lord ‘Freddy Hælvette’ in the TV series 2 Kids in Crime.
And “Freddy” is exactly what it sounds like: a nail biter.
– It takes a lot of work
The turn of the millennium, craving for drugs and pure hell are just some of the welcoming keywords used for the series.
SARPSBORG. 2001: The series and characters are inspired by the experiences and friends of series creator Kenneth Karlstad… Photo: Einar Film Drama
The youth drama follows a gang in 2001 who struggle with their own challenges and then end up in a criminal milieu. Here “Tommy”, “Pål” and “Monica” come across “Freddy” directly, which becomes the beginning of a fun adventure.
No.
It just goes to hell.
– It was incredibly fun for me to be a troublemaker in this gang, he laughs at TV 2 when we meet him along with the rest of the cast.
MIKS: The cast of Kids in Crime contains new and familiar faces. From left: Martin Øvrevik, Kristian Repshus, Jakob Oftebro, Lea Myren and director Kenneth Karlstad. Photo: Magnus Nøkland/TV 2
‘Monica’ is played by ‘Jenter’ celebrity Lea Myren (21), while ‘Pål’ and ‘Tommy’ are played by newcomers Martin Øvrevik (26) and Kristian Repshus (22).
FREDDY HÆLVETTE: Oftebro describes the role as the coolest he’s ever played. Photo: Einar Drama film
– I love when you meet the greatest possible challenge and it’s fun to play something that’s not typically me. So me getting to play Freddy is maybe one of the funniest things I’ve done, he says and continues:
– It’s so clear in its own way, but so far from me. It requires tremendous work, both in changing who you are and how you talk to people. But it was incredibly fun to switch characters. It requires a tremendous amount of trust from a director.
But it also means long hours in the makeup chair. “Freddy” has full-coverage tribal tattoos and a heavy-duty weld, as well as a clothing style that screams early 2000s.
And the infamous comfort zone… came out of it a long time ago.
You’ve never seen Jakob Oftebro like this
– I exceeded my comfort zone every day. He is always in a challenging situation and has also become very demanding of the world around him. There were definitely tough days on set.
Challenging role
– I have never been so sweaty, hoarse and tired after a recording as “Freddy Hælvette”, laughs the 36-year-old.
Also, he reveals that there was more preparation behind playing the drug kingpin.
– Changing the dialect was very pleasant. I grew up often going to Sarpsborg with my father to visit my grandfather, and it was very nice to come back to “Særp”.
DRUG KINGDOM: Jakob Oftebro makes his debut as drug kingpin in the Kids in Crime series. Photo: Einar Drama film
Oftebro also met with the people who contributed to the real story behind the series. Kids in crime is inspired by the story of director and series creator Kenneth Karlstad (34).
– The best thing about this series is that it does not glorify around such an environment. It’s about crime and drugs, and it’s not a show where you end up wanting to be those characters. Nobody has bright be “Freddy Hælvette”.
– But it’s always fun to flirt with a world you don’t know.
Suggestions for Maskorama?
According to him, the “Freddy” mask is the most beautiful role he has played. No doubt.
– It’s so far away from me. It required a lot of work and preparation.
FREDDY AND MONICA: Here with fellow actress Lea Myren. Photo: Einar Drama film
But in recent weeks there have also been many rumors about a so-called zombie in Maskorama. Every season guesses which Norwegian celebrity is behind the mask, and this year Oftebro is the hottest tip behind the ‘Zombie’.
One of the central hints here is that the man behind the costume is somewhat urbane and a small town, with one education characterized by low self-esteem.
WHO IS THIS?: Many have now speculated whether it is Jakob Oftebro who is hiding behind the mask. Photo: Fredrik Arff/Fremantle/NRK
– It seemed that all eyes were on me. While it may feel strange at times, fortunately I can go back to where all is safe and familiar, said “The Zombie” in broadcast number two.
But when we face Oftebro with this voice, he warms his shirt.
THE ZOMBIE?: Whether Oftebro is hiding behind a zombie mask remains to be seen. Photo: Magnus Nøkland/TV 2
See his reaction in the video at the beginning of the story.
– It’s very funny, I can’t And something about it! Of course it’s just super hot, it’s an honor that people are guessing it’s me. Maybe it is, he laughs and raises his eyebrows.
Watch the premiere of Kids in crime on Friday November 21st at TV 2 Play.
