Aidan Turner, known for his striking screen presence and roles that often highlight romance and sexuality, recently reflected on his evolving career and the challenges of being perceived primarily as a sex symbol. At 43, Turner has taken deliberate steps to shift the public’s focus, adopting a full beard—intended to soften his image and deflect attention from his trademark "smouldering" look. Despite this, he acknowledges the persistent typecasting that comes with his early roles.
Turner first gained widespread recognition through a series of brooding and handsome characters. Early in his career, he appeared in shows such as *Being Human* and *Desperate Romantics*, demonstrating a flair for moody, poetic roles. His breakout role came in 2015 with the BBC adaptation of *Poldark*, where he portrayed Ross Poldark, an 18th-century soldier and farmer. The series catapulted Turner into the public eye, with a particular image—him topless in a field wielding a scythe—becoming iconic and repeatedly circulated, something Turner describes as at times embarrassing but ultimately integral to the show’s success. The physical preparation for that role, he notes, was undertaken without artifice, contrary to rumors about makeup enhancements.
After *Poldark*, Turner stepped back from roles that required overt displays of sexuality, a choice influenced in part by the intense attention he received during that period. However, he has recently embraced projects that balance sexiness with nuance, such as *Rivals*, the television adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s *Rutshire Chronicles*. The series is characterized by its brash humor, complex social dynamics, and extensive sexual content. Turner plays Declan O’Hara, a principled broadcast journalist whose fidelity to his wife Maud sets him apart amid a milieu of infidelity and intrigue.
Turner was instrumental in shaping Declan’s on-screen appearance, advocating for a moustache to give the character a sense of maturity and gravitas. He expressed a preference for practical makeup solutions on set, rejecting prosthetics he found uncomfortable. Declan’s Westmeath accent, drawn from Turner’s own family, adds additional depth to the portrayal.
The production of *Rivals* has been marked by both energy and tragedy, notably the passing of Jilly Cooper during filming of the second season. Turner recalled fondly Cooper’s spirited personality and the lively parties she hosted in the Cotswolds, emphasizing her pride in the television adaptation of her work.
Given the explicit nature of many scenes, *Rivals* employs intimacy coordinators, a practice Turner supports strongly. He noted how the presence of dedicated professionals has improved the safety and realism of sex scenes compared to earlier experiences where direction was minimal or awkward.
Turner’s ongoing work includes stage roles such as Valmont in the recent production of *Les Liaisons Dangereuses*, a character known for his seductive and manipulative nature. Balancing his career, personal life as a father, and public perception remains a nuanced endeavor as he continues to navigate the intersections of talent, image, and audience expectations.