Fifty Shades of Grey star Jamie Dornan has one issue with the franchise that propelled his acting career to new heights. Dornan has been a familiar face in Hollywood for over a decade, with one of his first acting roles being in 2006’s Marie Antoinette. The Irish actor got his start modeling in the early 2000s, but it wasn’t until the blockbuster hit that was Fifth Shades of Grey, based on the novels by E.L. James, that he was launched into the mainstream.
Following the original film, filmmakers turned it into a trilogy with Fifty Shades Darker in 2017 and Fifty Shades Freed in 2018, based on the novels of the same name. The Fifty Shades franchise earned more than $1 billion at the global box office, no small feat for three R-rated films. Dornan starred as the mysteriously captivating Christian Grey, a billionaire businessman with a secret affection for BDSM. He stars alongside Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steele, his love interest in the franchise that arguably sky rocketed both of their
Despite the success of Fifty Shades of Grey, Dornan has some regrets when it comes to the film. Speaking to British GQ, Dornan recognized that the franchise has done no harm to his career and life, particularly financially. He also recognized that fans loved the films, which he is always grateful for. But he doesn’t like the fact that the films have become a punchline.
Look, put it this way: it’s done no harm to my career to be part of a movie franchise that has made more than $1 billion. Every working actor would say the same thing. It’s provided – a lot. There’s no shame in saying it’s transformed my life and my family’s life financially. I am very, very grateful for this and always will be. And the fans loved it. Kevin Maher [the film critic] at the Times didn’t love it – what a surprise! But I take issue with the whole thing being just a bit of a joke. Everyone involved worked as hard as they could on those films, including myself.
