The award-winning Sofie Hagen, Danish comedian, author, podcaster and more, is wondering if she's done the right thing.
In her show 'I Think Some Of This Is My Fault', Sofie is wondering just how much of her own actions have contributed to the current state of the world. She always tries to do the right thing. . . But now that we're here, what will she say with her last remaining freedom of speech?
Sofie won Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2015, and since then has appeared on our screens via Netflix, the BBC, Channel 4 and Comedy Central, on top of playing comedy festivals all over the world including our very own.
Here, we speak to Sofie about formulating new material, getting into stand-up, and being recognised for her talents.
The title ‘I Think Some Of This Is My Fault’ already feels intriguing. What are you putting the (partial) blame on yourself for?
Oh, just everything that's going on in the world. That's normal, right? Wondering how much you contributed to the evil all around us? No? Are you saying I need more therapy? That's what I'm hearing you say.
It’s a new show. How do you formulate new material. . . What’s the secret to getting really inspired to put pen to paper?
Well, if I revealed the industry secret to getting inspired to write jokes, then everyone would do it. So I better keep it a secret. Also, if anyone else told you their secrets, please pass it on to me. Don't worry, I do know the secrets myself; I just want to check if everyone else has the same ones. I'm in no way extremely desperate for the answer to this question too. But nevertheless, do pass them on. Thank you. All of them, please.
When did you get into comedy, and what was it that convinced you this was something you wanted to do?
I started in 2010 in Denmark after having slept with a number of Danish comedians, who afterwards told me that they'd rather that I didn't start doing comedy, as then they'd have to see me all the time. So, naturally, I started doing stand-up to spite them. I think I do a lot of things out of spite. It fuels me as much as creativity and of course, revenge. Revenge is a good motivator. Perhaps that's the secret to getting really inspired to put pen on paper?
You’ve won a handful of awards over the years. What does it mean to be acknowledged in this way, for you?
Awards don't really matter at all, to me. What matters is and will always be hearing the laughter from the audience. That's what keeps me warm at night. Just kidding, I live and breathe for the awards and the industry's recognition and validation. My family's dentist recently told me I had the best teeth of everyone in my family and I shed a little tear and started the thank-you speech I've had ready for years. I want to be very clear: all that matters to me is external validation. I don't do self-care, I exclusively rely on other-care. I think others need to care about me more, thanks.
If this really were your last chance to say something on stage, what would you want the room to leave thinking – or arguing about – on the way home?
It really might be the last chance for me to say something on stage. I've made a list of jobs I might want to do, if I wasn't to do stand-up anymore. I have no back-up plan and I have no education and my only experience has been to talk about myself for an hour in front of people. But the whole idea behind this show was: Okay, what's the thing I could leave comedy without having said? And there's loads still left, that I didn't include in the show. For example, I think the left talks too much. We talk way too much! It's all discourse and discussions and debates and analysing every single word. When actually, we should probably be out there punching some nazis and stuff. There's your quote. "We should probably be out there punching nazis and stuff". You could follow it up with "Sofie is clearly the (very articulate) voice of a generation". Even in my most aggressive statement, I inserted a 'probably', just in case I'm wrong. It's really hard trying to do the right thing when you're scared of doing it wrong. Which just so happens is what my show is about.
Sofie Hagen Australia 2026 Tour Dates
26 March-19 April – The Greek – Aphrodite (Melbourne International Comedy Festival)
22-26 April – Factory Theatre (Sydney Comedy Festival)
30 April-3 May – Brisbane Powerhouse (Brisbane Comedy Festival)
15 May – The Rechabite (Perth Comedy Festival)
