Actor Charlie Hunnam credits gay sex scenes in the BBC drama Queer
as Folk for preparing him for his role as Christian Grey in the
much-anticipated film adaptation of E.L. James' blockbuster novel
Fifty Shades of Grey.
Fifty Shades of Grey, which explores the relationship
between a college graduate, Anastasia Steele, and a business magnate,
Grey, is notable for its explicitly erotic scenes.
Hunnam, who played Nathan Maloney in the original BBC series Queer
as Folk, told the AP that graphic sex scenes were not new to him.
“You know what, I had such a baptism of fire with regards to
sexuality on camera at the beginning of my career,” Hunnam,
33, said. “I starred in the British channel Four miniseries
Queer as Folk where I played a young, gay character and there
were some incredible, explicit sex scenes on that show. So I feel,
and now I am 16 years older and more mature so I don't anticipate
them being too much of a problem. It's like anything else, just an
exciting challenge.”