Charlie Hunnam Names the One Movie He Calls His Worst Career Experience

Charlie Hunnam once came very close to stepping into one of the most talked-about roles of the last decade. When news broke that he had been cast as Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey.

The reaction online was loud and fast. Fans were curious to see his take on the character, and the studio was clearly confident in the choice. Then, just weeks later, Hunnam walked away.

At the time, the explanation given was simple. His schedule was packed with Sons of Anarchy, and the timing did not work. But years later, Hunnam made it clear that the situation was far more difficult than it appeared. In past interviews, he described the whole experience as the worst professional experience of my life.

He never went into full detail about what made it so painful. Still, the weight of the decision was obvious. Walking away from a massive franchise brings pressure from every direction. Fans were angry, headlines were harsh, and the role went on without him. It was likely a mix of regret, stress, and public backlash that made the moment stick with him.

The movie eventually starred Jamie Dornan and became a huge box office success. Even so, the films were not loved by critics. Dornan gained worldwide fame but also faced years of trying to break free from the Christian Grey image. Even director Sam Taylor-Johnson later said the process of making the first film was not an easy or happy one.

Looking back, Hunnam’s avoidance of the franchise may have worked in his favor. Instead of being tied to one character, he kept moving toward darker and more grounded roles. Over time, that choice helped shape his reputation as a serious actor willing to take risks.

Hunnam is now enjoying some of the strongest praise of his career. In late 2025, he starred as real-life killer Ed Gein in Monster: The Ed Gein Story. The series became a major hit, and his performance earned him a Critics’ Choice Award nomination for Best Actor. Reviews frequently called it his most intense and focused work to date.

He is not slowing down. In 2026, Hunnam is set to lead the Prime Video series Criminal, based on the popular comic. He plays Leo Patterson, a master thief, alongside Emilia Clarke, Luke Evans, and Adria Arjona. The show is already being positioned as one of the platform’s biggest releases of the year.

Even though Hunnam still looks back on the Fifty Shades exit as a painful moment, it may have pushed him toward the career he was meant to have. Sometimes the hardest decisions leave the longest mark, even when they lead somewhere better.

Do you think Charlie Hunnam made the right call by walking away from Fifty Shades of Grey? Share your thoughts in the comments.