After months of speculation, Brit actor, Charlie Hunnam has been chosen to play Christian Grey in the much-hyped big screen adaption of 'mummy porn' erotic novel, 'Fifty Shades Of Grey'.


The announcement by '50 Shades' author EL James sent Twitter into a meltdown but the general consensus was that the 'Pacific Rim' star was a good choice for the role of the S&M-loving Grey opposite Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steele.


But who the heck is Charlie Hunnam? Well, let us enlighten you with our nine essential facts on the soon-to-be-household-name actor so you're in the know ahead of the film's cinema release next summer.





  • Charlie Hunnam: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds


    1. Charlie is a Geordie - he was born in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne on 10 April 1980, which makes him the grand old age of 33.




  • Charlie Hunnam: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds


    2. He made his television debut in 'Byker Grove' after being discovered mucking about in a shoe shop by one of the show's producers. The hit children's series also starred a young Ant and Dec and James Middleton's current girlfriend, Donna Air.




  • Charlie Hunnam: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds


    3. He's no stranger to on-screen nudity having got his kit off in Channel 4's groundbreaking series, 'Queer As Folk', which also saw him engage in some pretty risque sex scenes as lovestruck teenager Nathan Maloney. Christian Gray should be a breeze, then.




  • Charlie Hunnam: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds


    4. His big screen roles have included 'Cold Mountain' alongside Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Renée Zellweger and more recently in this year's 'Pacific Rim' with Idris Elba.




  • Charlie Hunnam: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds


    5. He met his now ex-wife, actress Katharine Towne (that's her in the pic) at an audition for 'Dawson's Creek' in 1998. They were married within weeks but divorced after three years.




  • Charlie Hunnam: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds


    6. He's choosy about the roles he takes, saying: "I always think it's better to take a smaller role in a great film rather than a leading role in something that you don't have complete faith in."




  • Charlie Hunnam: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds


    7. As well as acting, he is also a talented screenwriter. His screenplay, 'Vlad', about Dracula as a young prince is currently being produced by Brad Pitt's production company.




  • Charlie Hunnam: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds


    8. His cockney accent in the film 'Green Street' didn't go down too well with critics with many declaring it as one of the worst in cinematic history. Judge for yourselves by watching the trailer.




  • Charlie Hunnam: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds


    9. If you hadn't already noticed, Charlie likes to keep himself in shape with regular gym sessions, boxing and swimming. "I'm happier, more confident, and more positive when I work out. And I feel like I'm a better actor because of the clarity it gives me," he told Men's Fitness.






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