Aidan Turner: Beyond the Smoulder

Actor Aidan Turner, now 43 and a father, is strategically cultivating a new image, moving away from his established pin-up status. He has adopted a tactical beard, hoping to temper the persistent questions about his 'smouldering' persona. Turner is currently starring in 'Rivals,' a television adaptation of Jilly Cooper's famously racy novels set in the 1980s, where he plays a more grounded character.

The actor, who gained widespread fame as Ross Poldark, also noted the invaluable assistance of intimacy coordinators on set. He finds their presence significantly improves the process of filming sex scenes, especially in a show like 'Rivals' that features a wide variety of such content. Turner reflects that while his earlier roles, like in 'Poldark,' solidified his sex-symbol image, he is now eager for more complex and less physically focused characters.

Turner grew up in a working-class family in Dublin and discovered acting after a childhood spent in competitive ballroom dancing. He previously resisted roles requiring him to be overtly sexy, a sentiment amplified by his current age and fatherhood. He expressed a hope that the era of being exclusively typecast as a 'sexy guy' is nearing its end, as he seeks more diverse acting opportunities beyond his established on-screen appeal.