Ragnar Uustal lands Õnne 13 role after joking suggestion

Actor Ragnar Uustal says he joined the series Õnne 13 after jokingly asking its screenwriter, Andra Teede, to write him into it, ERR reported. He plays Jürgen, a construction worker at Jaanus’s company who is building a private house near Morna’s ring road.

Uustal said the opportunity began at a premiere party for the play Maarja tõmbas Tinderi at Kellerteater. “I told Andra Teede, half-jokingly, to write me into Õnne 13. It turned out I got the role,” he said in an interview on Raadio 2’s R2 Hommik! programme.

Although his character works in construction, Uustal said his own building skills are limited. He can do some repairs, he said, but has never installed underfloor heating.

Uustal also spoke about his earlier role in the series Ühikarotid, saying viewers still recognise him from it. He said the experience had once bothered him, but after a long period without being recognised, he was glad people remembered the show.

Before completing his military service, Uustal performed at NO99 theatre and returned to theatre afterward. Since NO99 closed, he has worked as a freelancer. He also studied contemporary performing arts at a music and theatre academy, where he created his drag character, Dragnar, also known as Gloria Hola. His performance, Walk of Shame, featured him dancing to Sia’s Chandelier as snow began to fall.

Uustal said he is watching with interest to see what happens next in Õnne 13, where a wedding had recently taken place.