Charlie Hunnam: How the Geordie actor made it to the big time

Charlie Hunnam recently got the attention of his fans when he teased a possible Sons of Anarchy return, but who is the Geordie actor and how did he go from a small role in Byker Grove to Hollywood movies?

Charlie Hunnam was born Charles Matthew Hunnam in Newcastle Upon Tyne on April 10, 1980. He remained in the city until the age of 12, before he and his mother relocated to Melmerby in Cumbria.

He studied at the Cumbria College of Art and Design in Carlisle, and graduated with a degree in film theory and film history.

Hunnam’s original career goal was to write and direct his own films, however his path soon turned to acting.

At the age of 14, Hunnam was discovered by a production manager for Newcastle based children’s TV drama, Byker Grove and secured a small role as Jason Chuckle.

Following his Byker Grove stint, Hunnam continued acting in small roles in both films and TV. In 1999, he secured a role in Russell T Davies’ Channel 4 TV series Queer as Folk, playing Nathan Maloney.

In 2005, he starred in one of the lead roles in Green Street, playing Pete Dunham alongside Elijah Wood who played Matt Buckner. The film went on to win several awards.

From that role, Hunnam secured roles in bigger movies and television shows. He truly had his big break after starring as the lead character in crime drama series, Sons of Anarchy where he played Jackson “Jax” Teller from 2008 until 2014.

He has since won three awards and been nominated for many more. He has since starred in Hollywood movies such as The Gentlemen, alongside various big-name and established actors.

Most recently, Hunnam has starred in the main role of Apple+ TV series, Shantaram. He is currently filming a Netflix movie named Rebel Moon.

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