Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who gained worldwide fame for his role as Jaime Lannister in the HBO series Game of Thrones, visited Kyiv on October 28, 2026. This is evidenced by photographs published both on social media and in Reuters materials. The actor's visit to the Ukrainian capital coincided with a period when the threat of air attacks persisted over the city, which affected the circumstances of his stay.
Footage from Podil and Reuters confirmation
The first photos of Coster-Waldau in Kyiv appeared on social media: a Threads user named Vita Zadorozhnia published a group photo, captioning it with the words 'Ordinary Kyiv weekdays with Nikolaj Coster-Waldau'. According to her, the actor was met at one of the venues in historic Podil. Independent confirmation of the visit was provided by Reuters, which dated its photographs to October 28, 2026. In the agency's frames, the actor is captured in casual clothing—a light shirt with a dark collar—against the background of Kyiv streets.
Subway as a shelter: Circumstances related to the strike threat
Particular interest in Coster-Waldau's visit was drawn by the details revealed in the captions to the Reuters images. The agency notes that the actor was waiting for a train, preparing to use a subway station as a shelter due to the threat of a Russian missile and drone strike on Kyiv. In another frame, Coster-Waldau is already inside a train carriage, leaving the station. Reuters also accompanies this photograph with an explanation about the air attack threat. Thus, the actor's stay in the capital took place under conditions typical for Kyiv residents during a period of active hostilities: the need to use underground structures as protection.
Public support for Ukraine: From the 2022 campaign to the Copenhagen evening
The visit to Kyiv continued Coster-Waldau's public stance in support of Ukraine, which he has maintained since the beginning of the full-scale conflict. In 2022, the actor joined the Stand Up for Ukraine campaign organized by Global Citizen to provide assistance to people forced to leave their homes. On February 22, 2026, Coster-Waldau took part in the solidarity evening 'Ukrainian Voices — Stories of Freedom' held in Copenhagen. The event was organized by the Ukrainian House in Denmark, the Danish Cultural Institute, and Det Ny Teater. The program combined Ukrainian texts, their performance by Danish actors, and musical accompaniment; Coster-Waldau performed among the Danish readers.
Career and role as UN Goodwill Ambassador
Global recognition came to Nikolaj Coster-Waldau through his role as Jaime Lannister, which he played for eight seasons of Game of Thrones from 2011 to 2019. His filmography also includes projects such as Gods of Egypt and Mama. Since 2016, the actor has held the position of UNDP Goodwill Ambassador. In this capacity, he supports the Sustainable Development Goals, draws the international community's attention to issues of gender equality, poverty eradication, and climate change. Coster-Waldau's public activity in support of Ukraine fits into the general context of his international activities aimed at drawing attention to humanitarian crises.
Context of the visit
The visit of international public figures to Kyiv amid the ongoing conflict acquires a dual character: on the one hand, it is a gesture of solidarity with Ukrainian society; on the other hand, it is a vivid demonstration of everyday living conditions in a city where the threat of air attacks remains an everyday reality. The footage of Coster-Waldau descending into the subway and waiting for a train becomes part of visual evidence of how war affects the lives of everyone in Kyiv, regardless of their status and citizenship.
