Renate Reinsve Biography

Renate Reinsve is a Norwegian actress whose emotionally fearless performances have made her one of the most acclaimed European talents of her generation. She is best known internationally for her breakout role as Julie in Joachim Trier’s romantic dramedy The Worst Person in the World (2022).

Born in Solbergelva, Norway, Renate grew up far from the global film industry she would later help spotlight. She studied acting at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts, one of Norway’s leading performing arts institutions.
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After graduating, she joined Trøndelag Teater, establishing herself on stage before becoming a familiar presence in Oslo’s theatre scene, including work at Det Norske Teatret. Her early theatre work earned her the prestigious Hedda Award in 2014 for her performance in an adaptation of Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s The Visit.
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Renate’s film debut came with a small role in Joachim Trier’s Oslo, August 31st (2011), hinting at a collaboration that would later change her career. She went on to appear in Norwegian films such as The Orheim Company (2012) and Welcome to Norway (2016), the latter earning her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Amanda Awards.
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Her global breakout arrived with The Worst Person in the World (2021), in which Trier wrote the lead role specifically for her. The performance won her the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival and a BAFTA nomination, instantly establishing her as a major international star.
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Following this success, Renate began working more frequently in English-language projects while maintaining ties to Scandinavian cinema. In 2024 she appeared in the psychological dark comedy A Different Man opposite Sebastian Stan, and in the Danish-Norwegian drama Armand, earning further critical praise.
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That same year she made her Hollywood television debut in the Apple TV+ legal thriller series Presumed Innocent, acting opposite Jake Gyllenhaal. She then reunited with Trier in Sentimental Value (2025), which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and brought her Academy Award, Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award nominations for Best Actress.
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Renate is frequently praised for her naturalistic style, blending vulnerability, humor, and emotional volatility in performances that feel lived-in rather than performed. She has spoken about nearly quitting acting just before being offered The Worst Person in the World, a twist that has since become part of her public mythology.
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Despite rising international fame, she often emphas ensemble work and the collaborative nature of filmmaking, reflecting the modesty associated with contemporary Norwegian culture. With a body of work that spans romantic drama, psychological inquiry, and satire, she has become a central figure in bringing Norway’s film scene to wider global attention.