Biography

Norwegian screenwriter and director Magnus Martens (b. 1973) is internationally recognized for his ability to deliver stylish and violent action while remaining staggeringly entertaining and savagely funny. He made his feature breakthrough with the slick comedy thriller Jackpot (2011) which he wrote and directed based on a Jo Nesbø story. Selected for the Tribeca Film Festival, the critics described Jackpot as bloody and brilliant, and applauded Martens’ deliciously dark style, favorably comparing him to Tarantino and the Coen brothers.

Following his international breakthrough with Jackpot, Martens has directed multiple episodes for some of the biggest TV shows in the US, including Banshee, 12 Monkeys, Power, Marvel’s Luke Cage, Good Behavior, Longmire, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Will and Fear the Walking Dead. Most recently he directed the first two episodes of the anticipated The Walking Dead: World Beyond which premiered in October 2020.

Martens’ latest film, the explosive action thriller SAS: Red Notice, starring Sam Heughan, Ruby Rose and Tom Wilkinson, premiered in March 2021 in the UK and US. In August 2021 SAS: Red Notice was released on Netflix. Furthermore, Martens is director of Furia, an original drama series created by Emmy-winner Gjermund Stenberg Eriksen, which premiered on Viaplay in September 2021.