Alexander Skarsgard ‘stays away from social media opinions about himself’

Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgard has said he does not like reading what people say about him online, adding: “I don’t think it benefits me in any way.”

The 50-year-old star is best known for his award-winning role as Perry Wright in hit TV series Big Little Lies, along with his critically acclaimed role as Lukas Matsson in satirical drama Succession.

Skarsgard has also appeared in films such as Zoolander and The Northman, but despite his wildly successful acting career he largely avoids reading public reviews or social media to protect himself from harsh commentary.

Alexander Skarsgard largely avoids reading public reviews or social media to protect himself from harsh commentary (Doug Peters/PA)

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In an interview with The Times, he said: “I don’t think it benefits me in any way to hear or read people’s reactions.

“Many years ago I made a decision to stay away from all kinds of online media comments about myself.

“I don’t google myself, I don’t read reviews. It’s the classic case of if you read nine good things and one bad, you’re focused on the bad.

“But I also think that if it’s a positive comment then I’ll be overthinking it. None of it is useful.”

Skarsgard is unrecognisable in his latest role in Wicker, starring alongside Olivia Colman as a magical, hand-crafted man made entirely of woven willow and twigs who becomes her devoted wicker husband.

Alexander Skarsgard and Olivia Colman star together in Wicker (Doug Peters/PA)

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Discussing the fantasy film, he said: “It piqued my curiosity because it sounded so totally original.

“You often read scripts that are a version of a movie that you’ve seen before, and this felt so crazy.

“Tonally, too, it was right up my alley. It says a lot about our society, about the institution of marriage, about patriarchy, but in a way that wasn’t didactic or overly sentimental.

“It is done with so much warmth and humour, and it’s an extraordinary screenplay. It’s beautiful, sad, touching, incredibly funny and sweet.”

Skarsgard also described working with Oscar-winner Colman as “one of the most rewarding collaborations I’ve ever had”.

The actor has become known for his sexually charged roles, with his latest one leaning into these perceptions of himself yet again.

“It’s time to grow up,” Skarsgard said.

Reflecting on how men age differently to women in Hollywood, he continued: “For years, for women, it was that if you were no longer the young, sexy starlet, you played the grandma — and the movie never revolved around the grandma.

“Stories usually revolved around a man who could be 50, 60, 70. The love interest was always younger.

“Thankfully, it is slowly starting to change, but we’ve got a long way to go.”