Nearly a decade after the finale of Sons of Anarchy, Charlie Hunnam is regaining momentum in his acting career with several promising roles, primarily stemming from his acclaimed portrayal of Jax Teller in the FX series. Hunnam, hailing from Newcastle upon Tyne, embarked on his acting journey at the age of 17 when a production manager discovered him. Shortly thereafter, he secured a significant role in Queer as Folk at just 18, which served as a launchpad for his subsequent ventures in film and television.
After a series of roles in lower-budget productions, Hunnam experienced a breakthrough with his leading role in Sons of Anarchy, a series that rapidly gained critical acclaim and cemented his status as a reliable leading man. Despite his diverse roles in prominent franchises since then, none have matched the iconic status of Jax Teller. However, Hunnam’s upcoming projects hint at a promising evolution in his acting career.
Exciting Upcoming Roles: Monster & Criminal
Career Revival on the Horizon
Hunnam is set to play a leading role in Amazon’s adaptation of the comic book series Criminal, an exciting opportunity given the series’ roots in Ed Brubaker’s celebrated comics. With Brubaker himself co-showrunning the project, the series promises immense potential. In addition to this, Hunnam will portray the notorious serial killer Ed Gein in the third season of Netflix’s Monster.
This casting choice marks a significant departure from Hunnam’s previous roles, but his past performances, including those in Sons of Anarchy and The Gentlemen, assure audiences of his capability to deliver a compelling portrayal. With anticipated leading roles from two leading streaming services, Hunnam appears poised to redefine his place in the entertainment industry.
The Challenge of Post-SOA Success
Navigating Career Missteps
Since Sons of Anarchy, Charlie Hunnam has enjoyed both critical and commercial success, notably with Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen, which earned $115 million globally on a $22 million budget. He also depicted Percy Fawcett, a real-life geographer, in The Lost City of Z, which boasts an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 86%. Despite these achievements, his journey has been marred by missteps with forgettable projects like Papillon and A Million Little Pieces.
Hunnam’s stint in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, where he starred as the titular character, was anticipated to be a major career milestone but ended up being a box office disappointment, further complicating his trajectory. Additionally, missed opportunities to portray characters like Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe reflect the complexities of his post-SOA career.
DID YOU KNOW: Charlie Hunnam committed fully to his role as Jax Teller, avoiding wearing anything other than plaid and refraining from driving cars for seven years to immerse himself in the character by riding bikes and mingling with real biker gangs.
Energized by new opportunities, Hunnam’s upcoming roles in Amazon’s Criminal and Netflix’s Monster might finally showcase his versatile acting talent, akin to his embodiment of Jax Teller.
The Potential Impact of Ed Gein Casting
A Platform for Versatility
While Hunnam has previously portrayed a range of characters, the third season of Monster provides a unique opportunity to showcase an entirely new dimension of his craft, as he steps into the shoes of the infamous Ed Gein—a character defined by heinous acts and grave-robbing. Unlike Jax Teller, who walked the line of morality, Gein’s character is colder and devoid of empathy, presenting Hunnam with a chance to explore darker acting territory.
Notably, Monster season 1, though not critically acclaimed, ranked as one of Netflix’s most-watched English language shows. Evans Peters, who portrayed Jeffrey Dahmer in a previous season, leveraged his challenging role into significant accolades, including a Golden Globe and an Emmy. Hunnam’s portrayal could similarly redefine his career trajectory, establishing him as a versatile and formidable actor.
The Enduring Impact of Jax Teller
Jax Teller: An Indelible Legacy
While the new roles Hunnam is pursuing are promising, they are unlikely to eclipse the iconic nature of Jax Teller. Having embodied Jax for seven impactful seasons on Sons of Anarchy, it remains a defining character in his career. His portrayal of Ed Gein will only be featured for one season in Monster, making it unrealistic to expect such a character to rival Jax’s significance in the long run.
| Charlie Hunnam’s Major TV Roles | |
|---|---|
| TV Show | Roles |
| Queer as Folk | Nathan Maloney |
| Sons of Anarchy | Jax Teller |
| Shantaram | Lin Ford |
| Monster Season 3 | Ed Gein |
| Criminal | Leo Patteson |
The objective of Criminal is to leverage its extensive comic source material to offer Charlie Hunnam another prime, long-term television role. If it succeeds, we might see a new franchise emerge, further solidifying Hunnam’s status as an actor known for complex, memorable characters. Ultimately, while Hunnam’s journey in Sons of Anarchy remains irreplaceable, future projects like Criminal and Monster promise to enhance his legacy.
Remarkable Post-SOA Endeavors
Underrated Excellence
Although Charlie Hunnam did not ascend to the superstardom many anticipated post-Sons of Anarchy, he has delivered several remarkable performances. His role in The Lost City of Z stands out for its compelling reflection of obsession and existential pursuit, showcasing one of Hunnam’s best performances to date.
Moreover, Hunnam’s collaborations with Guy Ritchie have also been noteworthy. While King Arthur: Legend of the Sword was deemed a box office disappointment, its adventurous qualities have led to a reevaluation as a hidden gem over time. In The Gentlemen, Hunnam displayed his comedic flair amidst an impressive ensemble cast, illustrating his versatility in a crime-comedy setting.
Additionally, projects like Triple Frontier highlighted his ability to thrive in ensemble casts alongside stars such as Ben Affleck and Pedro Pascal. Hunnam has also been part of critically underrated films like Jungleland, wherein he tackled a nuanced character, showcasing his range beyond his earlier roles. Though his post-Sons of Anarchy career hasn’t been marked by blockbuster fame, Hunnam continues to impress in captivating projects.
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