[5] He then studied biology at the University of Copenhagen but gave up the course to earn his living as a street performer in European cities with his mime and juggling acts.

He won an International Emmy Award in 2018 for his role in Danish television drama Herrens Veje,[9] which was broadcast in the UK in 2019 as Ride Upon the Storm.

From 2016 to 2018, he voiced Grand Admiral Mitth'raw'nuruodo "Thrawn" in the third and fourth seasons of the animated series Star Wars Rebels.

[10][11] In addition to his native Danish, Mikkelsen speaks fluent Swedish, German and English, and he has mastered various accents.

He has stated that he and his brother first picked up English by listening to Monty Python records and learning the comedy sketches.