IN CONVERSATION WITH MAXIMILIAN MUNDT

interview by JANA LETONJA

Maximilian Mundt stars in Netflix's critically acclaimed series ‘How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast)’, which just premiered its last season. He will next be seen in films ‘Olivia Jones’ and ‘Babystar’. Maximilian previously starred in ‘Gran Turismo’ opposite Orlando Bloom and David Harbour. 

‘How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)’ has gained a cult following. What has this journey been like for you across the seasons, and how does it feel to wrap up the final chapter?

It’s honestly been surreal. When we started, none of us expected the show to be such a success. I grew a lot with Moritz, and it feels bittersweet to say goodbye. I’m incredibly proud of what we built together, and grateful for the people it connected me with around the world.

Your role in ‘Gran Turismo’ placed you alongside big names like Orlando Bloom and David Harbour. What was it like working with them, and how did that experience differ from your work on a Netflix series?

It was a different world. Working with Orlando and David was insane. They’re legends and when standing with them on set you also realise they are just humans too. A big studio film like that moves differently, everything’s bigger, faster, louder. On ‘How to Sell Drugs’ we had a very collaborative, almost family-like vibe. Both taught me a lot, but in very different ways.

You’re set to appear in ‘Olivia Jones’ and ‘Babystar’. Can you tell us a bit about these two films and your characters in them?

‘Olivia Jones’ is this wild, colorful biopic about the German drag queen and activist, and I play one of her love interests. ‘Babystar’ is the project of a dear friend of mine in which I got to play a small part as a receptionist at a fancy hotel.

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jacket and pants INTO DUSK
vest CALEB PARIS

How do you prepare for roles in such varied projects, from edgy series to feature films? Is your process different for each format?
The core is always the same. I start from the body. How does the character feel in its own body, how does it move. Then comes the voice. How strong or weak is it. For films, there’s often more time for deep dives, while series sometimes require you to make quicker, instinctive choices. I like the balance between both.

You were nominated for a New Faces Award in 2020 and won a Romy Award. How did it feel to receive that kind of industry recognition so early in your career?

It was humbling, honestly. I still feel like I’m learning every day, so being recognized like that meant a lot. It’s also a reminder to stay curious and never stop growing.

top and pants ENTIRE STUDIOS
trenchcoat COLORS
boots COS

You’ve become something of a fashion icon in Europe. How would you describe your personal style, and do you see fashion as an extension of your acting career?

Oh wow, thank you. I just really love to play with stereotypes and break them. As a kid, I always got the old clothes from my older cousins when I was visiting my grandma. And I always ended up discussing with my grandma because early on I already knew what I liked to wear and what not. In the end, with every outfit I wear for public events or shows, I kind of get into different characters and play with that, whhich of course connects to my acting career.

You’re based in Germany. How does living there influence your creativity and approach to your work?

I think my generation is redefining what being German means. We don’t really have national pride. It‘s more about who we are and not what our country is. That gives a lot of space and freedom for my creativity.

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hoodie COLORS
shirt and shorts CALEB
boots MOON
eyewear VAYA

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What kind of hobbies and passions do you enjoy when you are not working?

I’m a huge photography nerd. I like to build furniture and do other DIY projects. I’m a very crafty person.

What kind of roles or genres are you excited to explore next?

I’d love to do something in the horror genre or maybe a period drama, something completely different from what people might expect from me. I get excited by roles that scare me a little.

Would you ever consider working behind the camera - writing, directing, or producing?

Absolutely. I already am developing several projects with my friend and co director Anna-Lena Schwing. We have also directed a couple of episodes for a German TV show. When we write our own stories, leading topics are sexuality, gender and stereotypes around them. We love to tell them with humour and sarcasm.

blazer ENTIRE STUDIOS
top and loafers HM STUDIOS
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TEAM CREDITS:
photography LAURA KACZMAREK
photography assistant ALEX LOPEZ
groomer SYDNEY COSTLEY
styling ADRIAN J RAMOS 
styling assistant NATHAN FIGUEROA
pr PLATFORMPRTEAM