Viggo Hanvelt - THE INSTITUTE Interview

Published 13 hours ago• 3 minute read

It’s time for a Stephen King Summer. MGM+ has blessed us with an adaptation of King’s 2019 novel The Institute, and the eight-episode series promises a high-octane, horror-fueled mystery. It juggles two storylines: the titular Institute, run by the mysterious Ms. Sigsby (Mary-Louise Parker), and haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson (Ben Barnes).

Avery, played by Viggo Hanvelt, is an inmate of the Institute — the youngest and most powerful of them all. Recently, I had the privilege of chatting with Viggo about playing Avery, what viewers can expect from The Institute and more.

Pictured: Viggo Hanvelt

I got into acting because my brother and sister have been actors since before I was born. I love to see them act. When I got my first audition, I was super excited. And then I got my first part — it was amazing. So, I started acting more until I got this part, which is the best of the best.

The Institute is about a place where they bring kids with supernatural abilities, either telepathy or telekinesis. They try to, basically, torture the kids.

Avery’s young and energetic. He acts like a six-year-old or an eight-year-old, but he matures over the course of the show. He’s a great character and the strongest of them all.

Audiences can expect a wonderful, entertaining, thrilling plot from a show that always keeps you guessing the next move.

VH: Thrilling. Interesting. Dark.

MM: Do you share any similarities with your character?

VH: My character’s actually quite different from how I act, but he understands what’s going on. He understands that he needs to help them get out by using his powers. That’s his top priority.

Pictured: Viggo Hanvelt

MM: What was your favorite part about filming this show?

VH: There were quite a few dark scenes that were super fun, but there was this one scene where I had to eat licorice. I only needed to take one bite, but we did the scene so many times, I ate five packets of licorice. Everybody loves candy.

MM: Have you watched anything fun lately?

VH: I watched a murder mystery recently — it isn’t a scary one. It’s called The Residence, and it’s about a murder in the White House. It was super interesting and really entertaining.

You can watch Viggo as Avery in new episodes of The Institute when they drop on Sundays on MGM+.

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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.

Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.

Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.

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