In 2019, the rapper and artist Lars “Larsiveli” Reiersen won the Spellemann prize in the category for songwriter of the year. Now he is making his debut as an actor in the hard-hitting crime thriller “Blodsbrødre” on TV 2.
In the series, Reiersen plays the character “Stefan”, who is a gang criminal and is asked to do things, without asking too many questions.
– He is not exactly a boss, but does what he is asked without asking too many questions, he tells Good morning Norway.
It is a role the 30-year-old recognizes well:
– I recognized myself in the role because I wasn’t a boss either, but someone who was under me, he reveals.
A familiar universe
Reiersen grew up in Horten, where, according to the young actor, there is not a gang environment, but a criminal network in and around the city:
– I have not been on the same level as the characters in “Blodbrødre”, but I know many people who have. It is certainly not foreign to me.
BLOOD BROTHERS: Lars Reiersen (th) plays a gang member. Photo: Robin Bøe/TV 2
And many of these people have similarities with several of the characters in the series. In the fictional criminal gang “Enemiez”, there is one character in particular that he draws attention to:
– I well recognize “Omar” in the series, who is very angry, aggressive and does not think further ahead in time than three seconds, he says.
Started with drugs as a 15-year-old
In the real world, Reiersen lives in his home town of Horten, has two children and lives a sober life, after fifteen years of drugs and crime. That journey already began when he was 15 years old.
– I have been in drugs and crime for half my life, so to speak. I have now been drug-free for one year and eight months.
The rapper has tried to get sober in the past, without success:
SOBER: Reiersen has been drug-free for one year and eight months. Photo: Knut Erik Skistad/Good morning Norway
– The most difficult thing is not to get help, but to stay drug-free. But this time I made it, because I understood that the addiction wasn’t the problem – I was the problem.
The 30-year-old took a deep dive into himself to find out what was the reason why he always ended up resorting to drugs.
Series creator and director, Ole Endresen (54), paid close attention to the deep dive and the hours in group therapy during the recording:
– He has incredible contact with his feelings. You don’t have to ask him to find them or give key words during the recording. There is a lot of lived life in Lars and that must be used for all it is worth, says the director and continues:
– It creates authenticity and credibility, believes Endresen – who has used several inexperienced actors in the series.
Must prevent gang crime
When the director was to create the series, he thoroughly read up on gang crime and spoke to people who know the environment well.
WANTS PREVENTION: Director Ole Endresen hopes the series creates debate to prevent recruitment into criminal circles. Photo: Good morning Norway
In addition, the producer for the series, Sajid Malik (43), works with youth and preventive work. Endresen shares that commitment:
– I think there has been a weak and failing policy on recruiting young people into these environments. Where are the youth clubs for these 13-year-olds? Then you get counted around then, especially boys, claims the director.
Endresen refers to Denmark, where, according to him, they have had success with preventive work:
– You have to cooperate with the home, the school and the police. Capture them and find projects they can engage in over a longer period of time.
“Blood brothers” premieres on TV 2 Play January 19.
