Maximilian Mundt: The Real Deal

In Netflix’s latest hit series “How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast),” German actor Maximilian Mundt plays as a teenage drug dealer. Here, he shares with DA MAN about the time he met the actual dealer his character is based on (and who shares the same name with him) on set and about the real-life problem of drugs.

A 17-year-old German kid sells drugs to win back his girlfriend. This is the true story of one Maximilian S., a drug dealer who ran “the Amazon of illegal drugs” for seven years from his bed. This story was then adapted by Netflix into a series titled “How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast),” starring Maximilian Mundt, a 23-year-old German actor.

As the second season of the series has been confirmed for a summer 2020 summer, we caught up with Mundt to talk about the show and his take on the various issues highlighted by “How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast).”

DA MAN (DA): Right now, you’re primarily known for starring in Netflix’s “How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast),” where you play a 17-year-old German kid named Moritz who sells drugs online to win back his ex-girlfriend. What was it that made you decide to take the role?

Maximilian Mundt (MM): First of all, I’ve never laughed so much when reading a script. I have the feeling that, especially in Germany, such a show was missing. I was very grateful even to be able to audition for a Netflix series that would be available worldwide. So, when it came down, it wasn’t hard for me to decide. I really wanted to do this project.

DA: The series is inspired by a true story and the character you’re playing is based on a real-life person named Maximilian. Did you get to meet him? Was he actually involved in the making of the series?

MM: Yes, Maximilian S. visited us on set. That was a very strange feeling: To stand right in front of a real criminal who also has the same name as you. Especially because he seems inconspicuous and not how I would imagine a drug dealer would look like. But he wasn’t involved in the production of the series. We’re not really telling his story either. “HTSDOF” is only inspired by the fact that a teenager sells drugs via the Internet from his bedroom.

DA: What was the biggest challenge in portraying Moritz?

MM: I think the biggest challenge was being such a big asshole. I am usually very emphatic and notice when my friends are not well. But at the same time, I also had a lot of fun with being the bad guy and still having those weird and awkward moments.

DA: The show is centered on a very important issue, which is drug trafficking and abuse. What are some of the things you discovered about this problem as you delved into your role?

MM: I think its shocking that drugs are still such a big taboo topic, whereas many young people actually take drugs. You should definitely talk a lot more about drugs and educate about all the different effects and side effects, so that safe and responsible handling of drugs can be implemented.

DA: All in all, how was working on “How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)” different from other shows you’ve previously worked in?

MM: I had the feeling that there was a lot of creative freedom in working. Netflix enables you to tell unconventional stories without always being morally justifiable but also to simply show realities. This has made the work very exciting and unique.

DA: What do you hope will people take away from this show?

MM: I hope that after all this trouble Moritz causes, the audience will notice that you should stay true to yourself and don’t try to pretend to be someone else to please others.