Summary

Charlie Hunnam stars in upcoming Amazon series Criminal based on a graphic novel, adding to his diverse roles.
His layered performance in Sons of Anarchy sets high expectations for his portrayal of Leo, a non-violent thief in Criminal.
Despite best-known role as Jax Teller, Hunnam's upcoming role in Criminal offers a fresh and intriguing narrative.

While it can be frustrating for actors to be typecast, I can't help but think of his impressive performance as Jax Teller whenever Charlie Hunnam's name comes up. The actor starred on all seven seasons of Sons of Anarchy and is one reason why the popular crime drama is so gripping and unforgettable. Jax has a complete journey from the pilot episode to the haunting series finale,

Along with starring in Monster season 3, Hunnam will appear in an upcoming Amazon Prime Video series, and while there is no release date or any major details just yet, I think it could be his most exciting role yet.

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By Benjamin Hunt

Charlie Hunnam's Upcoming TV Thriller Series Criminal Could Be Even More Memorable Than Sons Of Anarchy

Sons of Anarchy - charlie hunnam as jax teller

In May 2024, Variety reported that Charlie Hunnam is starring in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series called Criminal. Adapted from Sean Phillips and Ed Brubaker's graphic novel series, Criminal tells a group of stories that are connected, which I think is a great narrative device that isn't used as often as it should be.

As reported by Variety, Hunnam's character Leo is an intelligent thief who has been compared to a chess player since he doesn't miss a beat. Leo also commits non-violent crimes and doesn't use guns. Although some might argue that Sons of Anarchy season 2 is the best one, I think Hunnam's layered performance as Jax Teller makes every episode worth watching.

Which other cast members are starring in Criminal?

Kadeem Hardison
Richard Jenkins
Adria Arjona

However, while Sons of Anarchy is one of the most intriguing and complex crime dramas of the past decade or so, I'm even more excited to see Hunnam in Criminal. I like that the show is different from other crime dramas and pieces together various stories. While it's inevitable for actors to be typecast and there's no doubt that fans will compare Criminal to Sons of Anarchy, Leo sounds very different from Jax, which will help Criminal feel like a brand-new show.

As the Vice President and President of SAMCRO (the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original) and a mechanic, Jax often gets swept up in dark, dangerous, and unsettling situations. He's a compelling character who viewers can't always agree on, which is what makes him so riveting to watch. While he's not always easy to like since he makes terrible decisions and gets caught up in criminal activity, that complexity is what makes him an unforgettable character. If he was played by a lesser actor, Jax might not have made such a big impression on fans. But, since Hunnam played Jax with a mixture of toughness and vulnerability, he has gone down in pop culture history as one of the most fascinating dark characters on any crime TV show.

Sons Of Anarchy Was A Meaningful Part Of Charlie Hunnam's Career

Charlie Hunnam as Jax Teller on Sons Of Anarchy

Since Charlie Hunnam starred on Sons of Anarchy from 2008 and 2014 and it's the role he's most famous for, it's no wonder that playing Jax Teller was an unforgettable experience. In a 2020 interview with PEOPLE, Hunnam said:

"Well, frankly, it gave me a career. And it gave me the ability to have confidence that I was going to be able to make [acting] work as a lifelong career."

Hunnam called his seven-year character arc his "college days" and said he was "a pretty unaccomplished actor in terms of my skill set." He added:

"It was a very deep experience. I lived with that character inside me for years, like, in a very real way. In a way that manifested in ways that I could never even [have] imagined."

Before Sons of Anarchy, Hunnam played charming college student Lloyd Haythe on the short-lived comedy Undeclared, and had small roles in movies ranging from the 2003 war drama Cold Mountain to the 2006 dystopian thriller Children of Men. Up next, Hunnam is playing serial killer Ed Gein in season 3 of Ryan Murphy's anthology series Monster. Gein is said to have served as inspiration for slasher movies like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise.

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Crime

Drama

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Release Date: 2008 - 2014
Network: FX
Showrunner: Kurt Sutter
Directors: Paris Barclay, Guy Ferland, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Peter Weller, Billy Gierhart, Kurt Sutter, Stephen Kay, Adam Arkin, Paul Maibaum, Phil Abraham, Terrence O'Hara, Allen Coulter, Charles Haid, Charles Murray, Karen Gaviola, Mario Van Peebles, Michael Dinner, Seith Mann, Tim Hunter
Writers: Dave Erickson, Misha Green, Liz Sagal, Regina Corrado, Mike Daniels, Kem Nunn, Roberto Patino, Gladys Rodríguez, Peter Elkoff, Marco Ramirez, James D. Parriott, Julie Busher, Pat Charles, Stevie Long, David Labrava, Vaun Wilmott