Streaming Ex-professional footballer Rúrik Gíslason joins the cast
Ex-professional footballer and TV celebrity Rúrik Gíslason (37) has joined the ranks of actors. The comedy "Eat Pray Bark - Therapy on 4 Paws" starts on Netflix on April 1: In it, the Icelander plays a leading role of sorts for the first time.
29.01.2026, 01:38
29.01.2026, 01:39
SDA
Alongside acting stars such as Alexandra Maria Lara and Devid Striesow, Gíslason plays the "charismatic and legendary dog trainer Nodon in the Tyrolean mountains", as the streaming service puts it. In 2021, Gíslason already had a role in the Icelandic action comedy "Cop Secret".
He has been training a lot, says Gíslason
The first clips from "Eat Pray Bark" (directed by Marco Petry) were shown on Wednesday evening in Berlin at an event organized by streaming giant Netflix. Gíslason said that he had trained a lot to look impressive with a naked upper body and had also worked on his German.
What is it about? Five dog owners are looking for help with their four-legged friends. Their last hope: an intensive course with a dog trainer in the Alps. The group includes a politician who actually hates dogs and a constantly arguing couple with their spoiled Yorkshire terrier dog Gaga. In the end, it's the two-legged friends who need coaching.
Icelander sensationally won "Let's Dance" five years ago
Rúrik Gíslason has so far mainly been an RTL discovery for the German-speaking media. He achieved his celebrity status during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, when millions of viewers suddenly wondered who the good-looking footballer from underdog Iceland was.
In 2021, Gíslason won the RTL dance show "Let's Dance". Since then, he has repeatedly appeared in shows on German television - often on RTL, but also on Sat.1, ProSieben and ARD.
