Meet Joel Kinnaman, who plays ‘monster’ Robert in Imperfect Women
The Swedish-American actor also stars in For All Mankind and Detective Hole – and is known for blockbusters like The Killing and 2014’s RoboCop
Apple TV’s new psychological thriller, Imperfect Women, has quickly gained traction since its premiere on March 18 – it is the third most-watched TV show on Apple TV at the time of writing.
The series, based on a 2020 novel of the same name by Araminta Hall, stars Elisabeth Moss as Mary, Kerry Washington as Eleanor, and Kate Mara as Nancy – long-time friends whose bond is threatened when Nancy is found dead. Shockingly, not long after Nancy’s passing, her wealthy widower, Robert – who is portrayed by Joel Kinnaman – begins an affair with Eleanor. Robert is also suspected of his late wife’s murder, earning him the label of “monster”, though he vehemently denies being one.
Notably, Kinnaman is starring in two other hit shows on the air right now: For All Mankind, where he plays Edward Baldwin, is the sixth most popular title on Apple TV; and Detective Hole, where he takes on the role of Tom Waaler, is the third most watched TV show on Netflix, according to streaming data collection website FlixPatrol.
Here’s what you need to know about Kinnaman.
What’s his background?
The actor was born Charles Joel Nordström Kinnaman on November 25, 1979, to Bitte and Steve Kinnaman in Stockholm, Sweden.
His Swedish-born mother is of Ukrainian Jewish descent, and his father is of American, German, English, Scottish and Irish heritage.
His mother is a therapist, per Variety, and his father was a soldier who deserted his military post during the Vietnam war and fled to Sweden, meeting Bitte, who also advocated against war, Joel told Men’s Health.
