Jamie Dornan gets ‘Fifty Shades of Gray’ lead
A long film resume is not a requirement to play the part of Christian Grey in “Fifty Shades of Grey,” but a scruffy blond beard might be. The Irish-born actor Jamie Dornan, like departed star Charlie Hunnam the owner of that aforementioned hirsute flourish, has been cast as the male lead in the adaptation of E.L. James’ bestseller.
Dornan, 31, has some screen credits to his name, most notably as Sheriff Graham Humbert in the prime-time ABC fairy-tale series “Once Upon a Time.” He also had a bit part in Sofia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette.” Fans wondering about his marital status will quickly be jealous of English musician Amelia Warner, whom Dornan recently married.
The casting of Dornan – who will play opposite Dakota Johnson’s lead female character – comes shortly after Hunnam departed the Christian Grey role. Producers and Universal Pictures / Focus Features have been keen to replace him quickly to make a November production start date and an August release.
Earlier in the week producer Mike De Luca told the Los Angeles Times that he believed a relative newbie was called for in the part.
“I feel like everyone has an idea of what these characters look like and sound like, so to present the world with fresh faces – where no preconceived notions or baggage come with it – is best,” he said. “It’s like casting Superman or James Bond. A fresh face is appropriate.”
Singer takes on ‘Sound of Music’ live
The end of the year looks busy for Carrie Underwood, and she couldn’t be happier.
The six-time Grammy-winning singer will host the Country Music Association Awards for the sixth time. You can see her singing the opening on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.” And for one night in December, she’ll star in a live television version of “The Sound of Music.”
The 30-year-old star told the Associated Press at the TJ Martell Foundation gala earlier this week, where she was one of the night’s honorees, that she is nervous doing something she’s never done before. But then she realized, “None of us have. This is a live show on TV. So this is definitely a challenge for all of us.”
“The Sound of Music” airs Dec. 5 on NBC with Underwood playing Maria alongside “True Blood” vampire Stephen Moyer. He portrays Captain von Trapp. Broadway veterans – and Tony winners – Audra McDonald, Laura Benanti and Christian Borle round out the cast as Mother Abbess, Elsa and Max.
The birthday bunch
Actress Marion Ross is 85. Rock singer Jon Anderson (Yes) is 69. Actress Nancy Cartwright (“The Simpsons”) is 56. Country singer Mark Miller (Sawyer Brown) is 55. Actress Tracy Nelson is 50. Country singer Chely Wright is 43. Violinist Midori is 42. Pop singer Katy Perry is 29. Singer Ciara is 28.