An aspiring actor from Perham, Minnesota, has made his television debut in the Hulu drama series, “Murdaugh: Death in the Family.” Ian Christenson, 25, portrays the character of Stephen Smith in this real-life series that explores the notorious South Carolina family tied to a legacy of legal controversies, including murder.
Christenson filmed his scenes at Universal Studios in Atlanta in May 2023, but a non-disclosure agreement prevented him from discussing his role until the series premiered. “I really couldn’t say anything about me or my character until my episode dropped,” he remarked. “It was really hard to keep that down for so long.” The series began streaming its first of eight episodes in mid-October 2023.
In the fifth episode, titled “The Prince,” Christenson portrays Smith, who was found dead on a rural road in South Carolina in July 2015. His untimely death remains shrouded in mystery, prompting Christenson to voice the importance of uncovering the truth. “Somebody out there knows something, and staying quiet and silent is never the answer,” he stated. “And we just have to believe that the truth, no matter how long it will take, will prevail.”
An independent investigation into Smith’s case has been organized via GoFundMe, shedding light on the ongoing quest for answers.
From Perham to the Screen
Christenson’s journey to this pivotal role began at the local community theater in Perham, where he first developed his passion for acting. Growing up in a family of educators, with both parents, Dan and Sally Christenson, teaching in the lakes area, he understood early on the value of education. After graduating from Perham High School in 2018, he enrolled at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, which he described as a “two-year boot camp” for aspiring performers.
Following his training, Christenson quickly found work in various theatrical productions, ranging from cruise ships to prestigious theaters in major cities. As his experience grew, he secured an agent who facilitated opportunities in television and film, leading to his recent role in the Hulu series.
The audition process was intense; after several callbacks, he was asked to perfect a Southern accent to match the character he was portraying. “I listened to the audio of Smith’s mother for hours, practiced with friends, and even dreamt in a Southern accent,” he recalled. His dedication paid off when he was asked to dye his hair for the role, a sign that he was likely to land the part.
On an ordinary Wednesday evening, while preparing for dinner, Christenson received the call that he had been cast. “We made it a celebratory dinner,” he said. “After the feast, I packed for a three-week shoot and headed to the airport.” He learned about his role around 19:00 and was in the hair salon at the studio by 10:00 the following morning.
A Challenging Role
Upon his arrival in Atlanta, Christenson was provided with extensive background material about the Murdaugh family and Smith’s communications prior to his death. He described Smith as a “courageous little beautiful prankster” who was studying nursing with aspirations of becoming a doctor. Notably, Smith was also gay, and Christenson recognized the societal pressures surrounding his portrayal.
The production team emphasized the importance of focusing on Smith’s life rather than sensationalizing his tragic end. Initially daunted by the responsibility of playing a real person, Christenson found solace in the support from fellow cast members. “It’s hard to believe these people, that I grew up watching on TV, are now my coworkers — my peers. It’s very surreal,” he said.
Working alongside accomplished actors like Jason Clarke, Patricia Arquette, and Brittany Snow, Christenson quickly adapted to the distinct demands of film acting. Unlike theater, where expressions must be exaggerated for audiences, film captures every subtle gesture. “A 30-second scene might take an entire day,” he noted, sharing that his few minutes on screen required 31⁄2 weeks of filming, which included “nine days of 10-plus hours of filming.”
Now back in New York, Christenson is eager for his next opportunity, whether in film or theater. He highlighted the significance of small productions in nurturing future talent. “Who knows, we could have the next Josh Duhamel come out of Perham,” he suggested. “But, without those avenues to perform, we won’t have that happen.”
For those interested in following Christenson’s acting journey, he shares updates on Instagram @ian12christenson and TikTok @ian_christenson.
