Stephan Pehrsson Biography
Stephan Pehrsson, BSC (born November 1975) is a Danish cinematographer born in Hillerød, Denmark. From an early age, he was captivated by film and television, often creating short films with friends using a VHS-C home video camera. After completing high school and serving 17 months in the Danish National Service, Stephan set his sights on a career in film and television.
He attended the European Film College from 1996 to 1997, then began working in the industry as a runner and lighting assistant. Through dedication and hands-on experience, he advanced to the role of gaffer, contributing to a diverse range of projects, including feature films, television dramas, and commercials. During this time, he also shot approximately thirty short films—many of which were funded by the Danish Film Workshop—which laid a strong foundation for his visual storytelling skills.
His growing portfolio earned him a place at the prestigious National Film and Television School (NFTS) in the UK, where he was mentored by esteemed cinematographers such as Alec Mills BSC, Billy Williams BSC, Ernie Vincze BSC, and especially Brian Tufano BSC, who played a key role in helping Stephan develop his creative confidence and unique visual style.
After earning his MA in Cinematography in 2003, Stephan entered the UK television industry, initially working as a camera operator and later as a director of photography (DOP) on long-running series such as The Bill, Dream Team, Holby City, and Bad Girls. Over the years, he has built a respected and versatile career, recognised for his dependable work across a broad spectrum of genres, including drama, science fiction, horror, action, and comedy.
His credits include acclaimed series such as Luther, The Musketeers, Doctor Who, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Inside No. 9, Les Misérables, the U.S. remake of Utopia, and Black Mirror—the latter earning him nominations for both a BAFTA and a Primetime Emmy.
