It’s official! New Christian cast
EL James has confirmed that Jamie Dornan will play the role of Christian Grey in the highly anticipated film adaptation of her best-selling novel Fifty Shades of Grey.
The author confirmed the news in a post on her Twitter account, posting: "Stow your twitchy palms ladies… our man is here. Welcome to #TeamFifty @JamieDornan1 x"
The Irish actor – and former Calvin Klein underwear model – has stepped up to replace Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam, who dropped out of the project earlier this month.
A statement from Universal and Focus Features at the time blamed Hunnam’s "immersive TV schedule" for his decision to quit the project.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, 31-year-old Dornan was contacted before Hunnam officially dropped out of the project, and screen-tested on Friday opposite Dakota Johnson – who will play Anastasia Steel – for director Sam Taylor-Johnson, author EL James and producers Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti.
Dornan is the star of the UK series The Fall, and played the role of the Sheriff/the Huntsman in ABC’s Once Upon a Time.
Production on Fifty Shades of Grey is expected to begin next month ahead of a planned release date of 1 August 2014.
