Casper Kjær Jensen has been cast as Hans Christian Andersen in Nikolaj Arcel’s upcoming feature My Fairytale Life. 

The announcement was made this afternoon during a presser at Cannes held by Zentropa.

My Fairytale Life is described as an “epic feature film” about the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. Arcel has reteamed with co-writer Anders Thomas Jensen (The Last Viking), with whom he also wrote The Promised Land, on the project.

Casper Kjær Jensen graduated from the Danish National School of Performing Arts in 2024. He previously featured in Ole Bornedal’s Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever and the HBO series Kamikaze. He also has several stage credits, including Jeppe On The Hill at the Royal Danish Theatre and Romeo and Juliet at Betty Nansen Teatret in Frederiksberg. Later this year, he will star in a production of Shakespeare’s King Lear. My Fairytale Life will be Jensen’s feature film credit. 

The film’s official synopsis reads: “Hans Christian Andersen, a socially awkward outsider, moves to Copenhagen with an impossible dream of conquering the city’s vibrant cultural life and becoming a famous artist. In a colourful world of actors, playwrights and benefactors, Hans Christian fights to gain recognition, acceptance, and love.”

“It is incredible to land such a major role,” Jensen said in a statement. “There is something in the story about the young Hans Christian Andersen that resonates with me – and I believe will also speak to a generation of young people, who, like him, experience loneliness and yearns for a sense of belonging. I am very excited to take on this role and to begin working with Nikolaj.”

My Fairytale Life will be produced by Louise Vesth and Tine Mikkelsen for Zentropa Entertainments4 in co-production with Zentropa Berlin GmbH, with support from The Danish Film Institute Market Scheme and FilmFyn in co-operation with TV2, Nordisk Film Distribution and Plaion Pictures. Co-funded by the European Union. Domestic distribution by Nordisk Film Distribution. TrustNordisk handles international sales. Principal photography is expected to begin in late 2026.