Militant, prey to doubt, obsessed with glory … Who is Rainn Wilson, the actor revealed by The Office and heroes of the Backstrom series?

Made famous thanks to the series “The Office”, Rainn Wilson lends his features to a police officer as brilliant as explosive in “Backstrom”, available in streaming on RTL Play. Similarly, Focus on an atypical actor.

Everett backstrom is not a cop like the others. Nevertheless, Irascible. Furthermore, brutally honest, politically incorrect and often at the limit of self -destruction, this police officer of the Portland homicides brigade lives for his job, even if it means sacrificing his mental, physical health, and any form of personal life. Meanwhile, He works surrounded by a team as shifted as intelligent, which he runs with an iron fist.

This intense role is carried by Rainn Wilson. Meanwhile, far from the comic register which made it known, the actor embodies here a cynical, insightful, but deeply damaged investigator.

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From figuration to “The Office”: the Dwight Schrute revelation – Militant, prey doubt, obsessed glory

Before taking on the role of Backstrom, Rainn Wilson won in the American television landscape thanks to a cult character: Dwight Schrute, the zealous and paranoid employee of “The Office” (US version). Therefore, Born January 20. 1966 in Seattle, militant, prey doubt, obsessed glory the actor continued in the 90s small roles in series like “Charmed”, “Experts”, “New York Special” or “Monk”.

It was in 2003 that he stood out in “Six Feet Under”. where he camps Arthur Martin, the assistant of the morgue. But it is “The Office” which propels him under the spotlight: eight seasons in the role of Dwight. for which he won several appointments and the recognition of the public.

A success he had trouble savoring

Despite the success of “The Office”. Rainn Wilson said that he had gone through this period with a certain discomfort. In the Podcast Club Random by Bill Maher. he says: “I spent most of these years being unhappy because it was not enough for me (…) I wanted to be a movie star. It was never enough. »»

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He admits having been obsessed with glory, figures, missed opportunities: “I won hundreds of thousands of dollars, but I wanted millions. Additionally, “The departure of Steve Carell. a central figure in the series, also deeply affected the team:” When Steve left, it was a bit chaotic. We had to find a tone, a balance. »»

A strong commitment to the environment

Outside the sets, Rainn Wilson is also a committed activist. In 2022. he symbolically changed his name to alert the climate crisis: “Rainnfall Heat Wave Extreme Winter Wilson”, a temporary identity adopted as part of a awareness campaign carried out with the Arctic Basecamp collective.

The objective? Attract attention to the dramatic consequences of global warming, especially in the Arctic region.

Since the end of The Office, Rainn Wilson has alternated supporting roles and personal projects. He also lends his voice to the Radio Rénal podcast. in which he embodies a strange video club manager, introducing real and terrifying accounts told by listeners. A project like his career: quirky, creative, daring.

To discover: “Backstrom”, with Rainn Wilson, available now in streaming on RTL Play.

Rainn Wilson militant, prey doubt, obsessed glory