Axel Werner

Axel Werner

Axel Werner (born 1945 in Berlin) is a seasoned German actor and theater veteran whose career spans over five decades. After studying at the prestigious Staatliche Schauspielschule Berlin (now Ernst Busch Academy), he built his craft with stage engagements across East Germany—Senftenberg, Magdeburg, Schwerin—and became a mainstay of the Berliner Ensemble from 1989 until 2017, where he collaborated with renowned directors like Heiner Müller, Peter Zadek, and George Tabori . Transitioning to film and television, Werner has appeared in notable German-era features and TV series, such as Downhill City (1999), Tom Tykwer's Der Krieger und die Kaiserin (2000), Alles auf Zucker! (2004), Whisky mit Wodka (2009), and portrayed Gustav Tannhaus in Season 3 of Dark (2020–21) . In 2025, he joined the cast of Netflix’s sci-fi thriller Brick, playing Oswalt, the cautious elderly man protecting his granddaughter within the building’s sealed walls. An actor of remarkable range, Werner has brought depth to roles across genres—from comedic and dramatic television to psychological thrillers and dystopian sci‑fi—while maintaining a strong presence on the stage. He continues to reside and work in Berlin as an active freelance performer.

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