One 20-year-old movie role was one of the biggest reasonsCharlie Hunnamwas cast to play Jax Teller inSons of Anarchy. A closer look at the same role seems to highlight why he is the perfect casting choice for an upcoming crime drama that has the potential to become the perfectSons of Anarchyreplacement. Created by Kurt Sutter,Sons of Anarchywas a massive hit on FX and became one of the highest-rated and viewed shows on the network at the time of its release.
The show was so successful that its lore was further expanded with aspin-off,Mayans M.C., after it ended its run with seven seasons.Many factors contributed toSons of Anarchy’s success, and Charlie Hunnam’s brilliant portrayal of Jax Teller was undoubtedly one of them. Interestingly, if it wasn’t for a 20-year-old movie role, Charlie Hunnam may not have been Sons of Anarchy’s lead at all. The same movie role seems to highlight the very reason why Hunnam is the perfect casting choice for an exciting crime drama.
Kurt Sutter Cast Charlie Hunnam In Sons Of Anarchy After Seeing Him In Green Street Hooligans
Hunnam’s Green Street Role Balanced Aggression & Vulnerability
Sons of Anarchy’s creator, Kurt Sutter, once revealed that he saw Jax Teller in Charlie Hunnam when he first saw him play Pete Dunham inGreen Street Hooligans. “His performance was brutally raw,” said the showrunner (viaPopculture). “I saw the very rare mix of danger and vulnerability that I knew Jax needed.” Sutter confirmedGreen Street Hooliganswas the first he saw of Charlie Hunnam’s work, and the actor’s performance in the film prompted him to meet him for theSons of Anarchyrole.
As fate would have it, both Sutter and Hunnam were in LA, and, after many meetings, they finalized the role, leading to the creation of Jax Teller. Kurt Sutter’s story suggests that if it wasn’t for Charlie Hunnam’s role inGreen Street Hooligans, he might not have been chosen to play Jax Teller. Owing to this,it is hard not to see Hunnam’s casting as a solid reminder of how one performance, even if it is not mainstream, can significantly reshape an actor’s career trajectory.
Hunnam’s ability to capture Dunham’s inner conflicts shows why he was cast to play Jax Teller.
Hunnam’s character, Pete Dunham, inGreen Street Hooligans, is the leading figure in a local football hooligan firm. The film highlights how Pete never holds himself back from standing up for his brothers, friends, and family but is also often deluded by his loyalty and pride surrounding his club. Just like Teller struggles to balance being an outlaw and a responsible father inSons of Anarchy,Pete finds it hard to reconcile his violent lifestyle with his love for his brother. Hunnam’s ability to capture Dunham’s inner conflicts shows why he was cast to play Jax Teller.
Hunnam’s Green Street Hooligans Performance Proves He Is Perfect For Amazon’s Criminal
Many Similarities Exist Between Green Street’s Pete & Criminal’s Leo
Charlie Hunnam is making his television return withAmazon Prime Video’s adaptation of Ed Brubaker’sCriminalcomic book series.Criminalwill be Hunnam’s second television show sinceSons of Anarchy, which makes it incredibly exciting. What adds toCriminal’s appeal is that it will again portray Hunnam in a morally complex role, where he will portray a clever and incredibly cautious thief named Leo Patterson. In more ways than one, Leo is similar toSons of Anarchy’s Jax TellerandGreen Street Hooligans' Pete Dunham.
Despite being immersed in a world of violence and deceit, all three characters are incredibly loyal to their crew members and loved ones. Although Leo Patterson is far more subdued and risk-averse,he, like Pete and Jax, takes pride in his intelligence and ability to outwit the system until his actions come back and haunt him. Given howCharlie Hunnamdid an incredible job portraying Pete Dunham inGreen Streetand Jax Teller inSons of Anarchy, it is hard not to believe he will deliver a memorable performance as Leo Patterson inCriminal.
Sons of Anarchy
Sons of Anarchy is centered around the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original (SAMCRO), exploring the tensions between President Clay and Vice President Jax in the town of Charming. The narrative focuses on their differing visions for the club’s operations, blending legal and illegal enterprises.
Green Street Hooligans
Cast
Expelled Harvard student Matt moves to London and gets drawn into the violent world of football hooliganism. Joining the Green Street Elite, led by Pete, he learns about loyalty, brotherhood, and the brutal consequences of gang rivalries.
Criminal
Based on the comic series, Criminal is an action crime series developed by Ed Brubaker and Jordan Harper for Prime Video. This adaptation follows various characters within and adjacent to a bustling criminal underworld and comprises several arcs that occasionally intersect. The series was greenlit by Amazon in 2024.
