Charlie Hunnam is no stranger to playing historical figures with dark reputations. After portraying serial killer Ed Gein in Monster: The Ed Gein Story, he took on the role of Andrew Borden in the fourth season of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Hunnam described the Andrew Borden role as liberating, noting that unlike the well-documented case of Ed Gein, there was little historical information on Borden, allowing the production to craft a narrative that best served Lizzie’s story. Hunnam also affirmed that he believed Lizzie was likely responsible for the axe murders that led to her father’s and stepmother’s deaths, as Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan had concluded after their research.

Queer Beginnings and Career Reflection

Before his recent foray into true-crime anthologies, Hunnam gained early recognition for his role in the 1999 British series Queer as Folk, where he played Nathan Maloney, a 15-year-old gay teenager in Manchester. As the show approaches its 30th anniversary, Hunnam reflected on its impact on his career and on television representation of LGBTQ+ characters — “We have certainly contributed to the societal debate of that time,” he said, according to SCHWULISSIMO.de. He expressed gratitude for the role, calling it a beautiful start to his career and a important piece of television history.

The Monster season also explores themes of repressed sexuality and queerness, according to Filmstarts, with Hunnam’s portrayal of Andrew Borden incorporating creative liberties such as a stutter that is not historically verified. Hunnam’s attention to detail and vocal performance helped shape the character’s emotional depth, even when the script took creative turns.

Return to ‘Sons of Anarchy’ Universe

While Hunnam was immersed in the Monster project, he also revealed plans for a new Sons of Anarchy spin-off titled Legends; the FX series will not continue the original narrative but instead feature the original cast playing fictional versions of themselves, according to larazon.es. The project, which originated from Hunnam’s recurring dreams about reuniting with his co-stars, will bring back actors like Ron Perlman, Maggie Siff, and Theo Rossi. Legends will follow the cast as they reunite at a fan convention, only to face a mysterious threat that blurs the line between fiction and reality.

According to Promiflash, Hunnam had been working on the idea for over a decade, as he wrote the initial concept as a film before adapting it into a series. The actor has been attempting to reunite with the Sons of Anarchy cast since 2005, but other roles often delayed the project; “It was a wish I had for many years,” he told E! News. “I wanted to be with this group of people again.”

From Monsters to Legends

Hunnam’s recent projects highlight his range as an actor, from historical true crime to metafictional storytelling. His portrayal of Andrew Borden and Ed Gein showcases his ability to take complex characters and bring emotional nuance to roles that are often one-dimensional in the public eye. At the same time, Legends offers a nostalgic return to the Sons of Anarchy world without retreading old ground, appealing to longtime fans and newcomers alike. With two distinct projects in development, Hunnam continues to explore both the dark corners of history and the enduring bonds of creative collaboration.