{"id":127277,"date":"2026-07-09T11:19:05","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T09:19:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/?p=127277"},"modified":"2026-07-09T11:28:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T09:28:18","slug":"justus-riesner-how-to-play-with-layers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/justus-riesner-how-to-play-with-layers\/","title":{"rendered":"Justus Riesner: Wie man mit Ebenen spielt"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":372,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10172],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-127277","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-film"],"acf":{"legacy":false,"exclude_from_ads":[],"hero_title":"","subtitle":"","hero":{"video":false,"image":false,"header_color":"black","overlay_color":"","overlay_text_color":"black"},"teasers":{"video":false,"image":{"ID":129444,"id":129444,"title":"260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0587","filename":"260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0587.jpg","filesize":202293,"url":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0587.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/justus-riesner-how-to-play-with-layers\/260512_sleek_justusriesner_0587-2\/","alt":"","author":"1","description":"","caption":"","name":"260512_sleek_justusriesner_0587-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":127277,"date":"2026-07-08 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The life of Justus Riesner<\/a> was completely turned upside down in 2022. Back then, the young actor from a small town near Hamburg had his breakthrough with the role of Alistair in the internationally successful series Maxton Hall<\/em>. It is a charming, confident and caring character Riesner portrayed. A character who calmly pushes against the boundaries of television more than one might initially think.<\/p>\n

The third season has already been filmed and is set to premiere in December. With just a few months to go before the series reaches its final chapter, SLEEK had the opportunity to meet the young actor from near Hamburg in person.<\/p>\n

During a cosy conversation at Berlin\u2019s iconic venue Cl\u00e4rchens Ballhaus<\/a>, Riesner speaks about representation, the challenges of the film industry, queer storytelling and the impact of classical theater on how we tell stories today. Together, we talk about the similarities and differences between him and Alistair, and about the act of acting in which his career currently finds itself.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"images","gallery":[{"ID":129438,"id":129438,"title":"260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0527","filename":"260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0527.jpg","filesize":143535,"url":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0527.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/justus-riesner-how-to-play-with-layers\/260512_sleek_justusriesner_0527-2\/","alt":"","author":"1","description":"","caption":"Photography by Oskar Ott. 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","name":"260512_sleek_justusriesner_0557-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":127277,"date":"2026-07-08 12:06:15","modified":"2026-07-09 09:27:54","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1371,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0557.jpg","thumbnail-width":69,"thumbnail-height":96,"medium":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0557.jpg","medium-width":1371,"medium-height":1920,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0557.jpg","medium_large-width":1371,"medium_large-height":1920,"large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0557.jpg","large-width":1371,"large-height":1920,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0557-1097x1536.jpg","1536x1536-width":1097,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0557.jpg","2048x2048-width":1371,"2048x2048-height":1920,"trp-custom-language-flag":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0557-9x12.jpg","trp-custom-language-flag-width":9,"trp-custom-language-flag-height":12,"wpvr_mobile":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0557.jpg","wpvr_mobile-width":1371,"wpvr_mobile-height":1920}}],"settings":{"fit_width":"4","caption":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_area","text_area":"

AMELIE BACHERT <\/strong>Hi Justus, who would win in an argument, you or Alistair?<\/p>\n

JUSTUS RIESNER<\/strong>\u00a0Wow, that\u2019s a good question. I think Alistair would. He\u2019s very opinionated, has a strong sense of himself, and a lot of emotional intelligence. I think he could always convince me otherwise. And honestly, my younger self would\u2019ve been grateful to have someone like Alistair around.<\/p>\n

AB <\/strong>Is there anything Alistair could learn from you?<\/p>\n

JR<\/strong>\u00a0Alistair and I actually have a lot in common, like being open to the world, going out into it, and meeting new people. And somehow managing to find our place everywhere, just by being who we are. What I like about him is that he always knows what\u2019s going on with the people he cares about. But when it comes to his own emotions, he gets a little lost and doesn\u2019t always know how to process them. Compared to him, I think I have more inner calm. I\u2019m better at taking a step back and reflecting.<\/p>\n

AB<\/strong> You grew up near Hamburg and later studied in California. Now you live in Paris, so you got around a lot. Is there anything from home that you still carry with you today?<\/p>\n

JR<\/strong> I may have grown up in a village, but my whole family worked at the Port of Hamburg. So, everyone\u2019s very tough and direct. I think that mindset, that tone, that edge, that\u2019s something I still carry with me and that kind of gets me through life. You know, just being honest, grounded, and saying what you think.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"images","gallery":[{"ID":129439,"id":129439,"title":"260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0148","filename":"260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0148.jpeg","filesize":114989,"url":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0148.jpeg","link":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/justus-riesner-how-to-play-with-layers\/260512_sleek_justusriesner_0148\/","alt":"","author":"1","description":"","caption":"","name":"260512_sleek_justusriesner_0148","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":127277,"date":"2026-07-08 12:10:45","modified":"2026-07-08 12:10:45","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1280,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0148.jpeg","thumbnail-width":64,"thumbnail-height":96,"medium":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0148.jpeg","medium-width":1280,"medium-height":1920,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0148.jpeg","medium_large-width":1280,"medium_large-height":1920,"large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0148.jpeg","large-width":1280,"large-height":1920,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0148-1024x1536.jpeg","1536x1536-width":1024,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0148.jpeg","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":1920,"trp-custom-language-flag":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0148-8x12.jpeg","trp-custom-language-flag-width":8,"trp-custom-language-flag-height":12,"wpvr_mobile":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0148.jpeg","wpvr_mobile-width":1280,"wpvr_mobile-height":1920}}],"settings":{"fit_width":"4","caption":"Photography by Oskar Ott. "}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_area","text_area":"

AB<\/strong> Your breakthrough came in 2022 when Maxton Hall was released. How have you and your character, Alistair, evolved since then?<\/p>\n

JR<\/strong> 2022 completely changed my life. None of us expected the show to get this big. After graduation, I spent years working typical side jobs actors do, you know, everything from bartending to retail. But since Maxton Hall came out, I\u2019ve been able to make a living from acting. And Alistair has stayed with me ever since, especially now with season three. In the first two seasons, there wasn\u2019t much room for his story, so I\u2019m excited that people will get to see new sides and layers of him in the third season.<\/p>\n

AB<\/strong> Can you tell us what layers?<\/p>\n

JR<\/strong> I can\u2019t say too much. But what fascinated me about him from the beginning is that he isn\u2019t a flat character. He\u2019s contradictory, this sporty daredevil type, while also being the emotional center of his friend group and kind of a little sass queen. You don\u2019t often see that kind of complexity in queer characters.<\/p>\n

AB<\/strong> That\u2019s true. Do you feel expectations or labels being projected onto your role because of that?<\/p>\n

JR<\/strong> Of course, society has certain images of queer people. That’s why it is important for queer people to be involved in the development of such stories. This would prevent the creation of stereotypes.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"images","gallery":[{"ID":129440,"id":129440,"title":"260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0214","filename":"260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0214.jpeg","filesize":204371,"url":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260512_SLEEK_JustusRiesner_0214.jpeg","link":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/justus-riesner-how-to-play-with-layers\/260512_sleek_justusriesner_0214-2\/","alt":"","author":"1","description":"","caption":"Photography by Oskar Ott. 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AB<\/strong> What makes good representation for you?<\/p>\n

JR<\/strong> Complexity. A good script. Letting queer characters have emotional lives instead of using them as accessories. The stories should be told from within the queer person\u2019s perspective, not from an external point of view imposed onto them.<\/p>\n

AB<\/strong> Do you think young audiences today are more open toward queer identities?<\/p>\n

JR<\/strong> Definitely. But society is also becoming more divided. I think you can really see that in younger generations right now. It feels like in some ways we\u2019re taking a few steps backward again. People still have to think carefully about what parts of themselves they reveal and what they don\u2019t. We just have to keep fighting so that one day people won\u2019t have to carry those fears anymore.<\/p>\n

AB<\/strong> Recently, artificial intelligence has also become a factor in acting. I\u2019ve already read about AI-generated actors who can be controlled and will never age. How do you see that development?<\/p>\n

JR<\/strong> So far, I haven\u2019t really felt a huge impact from AI on acting itself. Right now, it\u2019s affecting production more, simplifying processes and lowering costs. Of course, that also means some jobs disappear, especially for voice actors. But I also see a lot of potential in it. If productions become cheaper, maybe more projects can get made, and that creates new jobs and more opportunities for representation. At the end of the day, I hope people watch films, shows, or go to the theatre because they\u2019re looking for a human connection. And honestly, I don\u2019t think AI can replace that. People are looking for real humans, not generated identities.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_area","text_area":"

AB<\/strong> We\u2019ve talked a lot about film and television, but I also read that you performed a lot of classical theatre at university, Shakespeare, Gorki, and others. How did that help you with a modern series like Maxton Hall?<\/p>\n

JR<\/strong> Well, especially with writers like Tschechow or Gorki, you often see these archetypes: large ensembles where every character represents a different need. To me, those characters reflect basic human instincts, the longing for something better or different. And when you watch really good TV shows today, you can still find those same archetypes. I think that\u2019s what makes great entertainment timeless: desire and longing. That\u2019s such a core part of being human. In that sense, I found a real parallel between Maxton Hall and classical theatre.<\/p>\n

AB<\/strong> Is there a specific role or archetype you\u2019d love to play one day?<\/p>\n

JR<\/strong> I\u2019d love to play an authority figure someday, maybe a king or a ruthless businessman. Someone who holds power but is emotionally completely isolated. Other than that, I find Vincent Price incredibly fascinating, this actor from the \u201840s and \u201850s who made horror films in Hollywood. People at university often told me my voice sounded like his. Stepping into the world of someone who has already existed would be a challenge.<\/p>\n

AB<\/strong> Last question, if your career were a play, what act would you be in right now?<\/p>\n

JR<\/strong> If we\u2019re talking about a five-act play, I\u2019d still be in the rising action, act two. Right before the climax.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_area","text_area":"

As featured in SLEEK #89 – PLAY<\/p>\n

Credits<\/p>\n

Photography: Oskar Ott<\/a>
\nCreative Direction: Antonia Dipner<\/a>
\nCreative Production: Johanna Erdl<\/a>
\nTalent: Justus Riesner<\/a>
\nLocation: Cl\u00e4rchens Ballhaus<\/a><\/p>\n"}],"sleek_card_focus":"mid"},"yoast_head":"\nJustus Riesner: How to Play With Layers Justus Riesner: How to Play With Layers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/justus-riesner-how-to-play-with-layers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"de_DE\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Justus Riesner: How to Play With Layers Justus Riesner: How to Play With Layers\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/justus-riesner-how-to-play-with-layers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Sleek Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sleekmag\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-09T09:19:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-09T09:28:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@sleekmag\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@sleekmag\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Verfasst von\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Amelie Bachert\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/\",\"name\":\"Sleek Magazine\",\"description\":\"Sleek is Germany\u2019s leading independent media house\/brand for creativity and innovation located in Berlin the creative capital of the world. 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