Interview: Dan Cade, Star of The Wizard of the Kremlin

Dan Cade has appeared in True Detective, Van Helsing, Carnival Row, and The Defeated. What do you remember most fondly about working on these productions?

Each of those projects offered something unique, but what I remember most fondly is the calibre of the teams I got to work with. On True Detective, sharing scenes with Jodie Foster was an incredible experience — she’s generous and razor-sharp. Van Helsing was a thrill because it combined action with a stylized world, and I love physical roles. Carnival Row gave me the chance to dive into a rich fantasy universe, and The Defeated was a powerful reminder of how personal post-war stories can be. Across all of them, the atmosphere on set and the passion of the crews really stayed with me.

You are expected to appear in The Wizard of the Kremlin, which will be presented at the upcoming Venice International Film Festival. Could you describe your role and how it fits into the plot?

In The Wizard of the Kremlin, I play Agent Johnson, a senior intelligence operative navigating the murky undercurrents of power in modern-day Russia. The film is a sharp, psychological exploration of political manipulation, mythology, and the cult of personality that surrounds power figures. My character functions as both observer and participant — someone who senses the machinery of the Kremlin shifting into something far more theatrical and dangerous. Johnson is pulled into an orbit where reason starts to give way to ideology and illusion.

Alicia Vikander and Jude Law are also in the cast of The Wizard of the Kremlin. What is the dynamic between Agent Johnson, whom you play, and the characters Vladimir Putin (Law) and Ksenia (Vikander)?

The tension between my character and Jude Law’s Putin is immediate — there's an uneasy respect between them, but also a constant undercurrent of threat. Putin in this story is less a politician and more an enigma — mythic, calculating, and always performing. Johnson is one of the few who doesn’t buy into the performance, but that only isolates him further. My character is only interacting with Jude Law and Paul Dano's characters in the film.

You will soon be in the cast of Nuremberg, based on the book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, written by Jack El-Hai. It is an authentic reflection on the nature of evil, and it has an impressive cast, including Rami Malek, Russell Crowe, and Michael Shannon. The book tells the story of American psychiatrist Douglas M. Kelley, who examined Nazi leaders before the Nuremberg Trials in 1945. You play Corporal Jones. Could you describe your role in the context of the plot?

Corporal Jones is part of the small, trusted military detail tasked with overseeing the imprisoned Nazi officials during their psychological evaluations. He’s observant and, and his presence is crucial — he represents the eyes and ears of the outside world. The role might seem understated on the surface, but it’s rich in subtext. He witnesses raw, unfiltered moments from the prisoners, and through his reactions, the audience senses the tension of being physically close to such darkness. It’s a role that really requires restraint and presence.

Although Jackie the Stripper appears to be a less demanding comedy than your previous films, it still touches on themes of female emancipation and revenge, albeit with a light and ironic tone. How?

That’s the beauty of Jackie the Stripper — it disarms you with its humour, but underneath is a sharp commentary on agency and reclamation of power. The lead character, Jackie, reclaims her narrative in a world that’s often quick to judge or underestimate women. The revenge arc isn’t about violence — it’s about regaining control with wit and self-awareness. The irony allows the message to land without preaching. It's light, yes, but layered. I think people will be surprised by how clever it is.

Your acting career has led you to play many characters. If Dan Cade could choose one that you have remained most attached to, which would it be and why?

It would have to be the role I played in Black Sands. I played "Stephen Mayer" and his character is layered, tortured emotionally and it gave me a chance to show different layers and an emotional arc to a story and character. Plus I shot in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, Iceland.

What is Dan Cade's next project? A preview for film fans?

I’m currently preparing for a new horror fantasy movie in the US. It's based on the Disney story Aladdin. I play a layered character that is central to the story, so I'm looking forward to this. It should be released on streaming platforms later this year or next.

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