Falmouth grads meet on set of Netflix’s The Devil’s Star

Two Film BA graduates - who didn’t know each other during their studies - have started working together on a new Netflix series.

Peter Bruteig Henriksen and Eirik Gustavsen graduated from the course in 2018 and 2021 respectively before bumping into each other on set in Norway. The two are working on a miniseries adaptation of Jo Nesbø's book, The Devil's Star, and even snapped a selfie to send to their former course leader, Dr Laura Canning.

Speaking about the chance encounter, Laura says, “One of the things we love most about our Film at Falmouth community is how they support each other long after they graduate, and how happy they always are to meet another Fal Film grad in the industry - the joy of getting a ‘Guess who I've just met?’ message from Pinewood or Cardiff or Norway or Tokyo or LA never gets old!”

 

Tobias Santelmann as Harry Hole. Image credit: Netflix

 

We asked Peter a few questions about the project.

What can you tell us about The Devil’s Star?

The Devil’s Star is a Netflix show produced by British company Working Title and line produced by Norwegian company Living Daylights Productions. It’s an adaptation of a book by international bestselling crime fiction author Jo Nesbø, and the fifth book in a series that follows detective Harry Hole. Among the announced cast are Norwegian actors Tobias Santelmann and Pia Tjelta, as well as Swedish American actor Joel Kinnaman. The show is directed by Øystein Karlsen who’s also known for EXIT, Dag, and the upcoming Leonard Cohen miniseries So Long, Marianne. 

My role is Floor 2nd Assistant Director (AD), and I got it because I’ve worked with the 1st AD on several projects over many years. I met him originally when I was starting out as a Production Assistant on one of those nightmare productions where you bond over the struggle. 

What projects have you and Eirik been involved in since graduating?

I’m what I like to call a “creative potato” - ‘potato’ in Norway is an expression for someone who can be used for most things. I’ve had jobs as an editor, photographer and video director for Sony Music, Snakk Kommunikasjon, and Willy Nikkers and I’m currently represented as a director by Fus!. Since graduating I’ve worked on a handful of international productions for the Norwegian leg of their shoots, including James Bond: No Time to Die, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning and Succession to mention the big ones. 

I’ve never worked with Eirik before, but we knew of each other prior to this project. I did a guest lecture while he was at Falmouth and the “Norwegian Falmouth Alumni working in the Oslo film industry” circle is a small one, to put it mildly.

How did you find the Film BA at Falmouth? 

I found Falmouth to be a lovely location to spend my university days. Beautiful town and people. I found a lot of guidance and mentorship in Laura Canning, Anna Misiak, Doug Smith and Paul Mulraney. I’d never written an academic-style essay when I got to Falmouth, so my writing definitely improved. I still keep in touch with many of the people I studied with and have even collaborated on some projects after graduating!

What made you want to come to the UK, and specifically Falmouth, to study?

I always wanted to study abroad and there’s a site called Across the Pond that helps Norwegians apply for UK universities. Falmouth seemed like a nice place to study with decent facilities, so I went with that option.

Do you have any other projects in the pipeline?

This is a loooong project, so it’s basically my day job for the time being. I’ll start putting feelers out for the next projects in the autumn. Once this is done and dusted I’ll chase projects where I’ll have a more creative role. 

Any thoughts for anyone thinking of studying at Falmouth University?

I don’t know if I’m in a position to dish out any sage advice as I’m still learning and figuring things out. I’m definitely more confident and calmer now than when I was a student, so I’ll dish some advice out anyway…

Don’t be too proud, neurotic or afraid to make mistakes. Uni is perfect for f**king up and then understanding why you f**ked up and then f**king up again. Get outside your comfort zone and try your best, and if you fail that’s fine. You’re there to learn. Don’t worry about mapping out the future and figuring out “the perfect path” for life after uni.

I wouldn’t worry too much about grades. Doing your best and working hard to get good grades is what’s going to build your skill set, not the grades themselves. I graduated with a 1st class degree and not a single employer has asked me about my grades.

 

External links

Peter's website

fus.tv

IMDB