Alexander Skarsgård has finally broken his silence on persistent speculation regarding his sexuality, offering a candid clarification about comments that ignited widespread discussion across social media platforms last year. The acclaimed actor, renowned for his compelling performances in Big Little Lies, Succession, and True Blood, spoke openly in a revealing new Variety cover story, explaining that remarks made during the promotion of his forthcoming film Pillion were never meant to serve as a personal disclosure about his own life.
Origins of the Speculation
The speculation first gained significant momentum following Skarsgård's appearance at the Zurich Film Festival, where he discussed Pillion, a film scheduled for release on February 6. In the movie, Skarsgård portrays the dominant partner within a gay BDSM relationship, a role that prompted questions about what aspects of his personal experience he brought to the character.
'I found that in this case, it's not really relevant what my background is. I mean, I do have a kid, but what I've done in the past, who I've been with, men, women…,' he remarked at the festival. 'To me, what was important was that this felt like an opportunity to tell a story about a subculture I hadn't seen portrayed this way – with so much authenticity.'
These comments were widely interpreted across various social media channels as Skarsgård coming out as bisexual, sparking extensive debate and analysis among fans and commentators alike.
A Clear Clarification
In his latest interview with Variety, however, the actor has made it unequivocally clear that this interpretation was mistaken. When questioned about the public reaction to his previous statements, Skarsgård responded with notable candour.
'Oh,' he said, reflecting on the response. 'That it resonated with my past? It was definitely not an intended statement. I don't know what I was talking about. Maybe it has to do with - there's a lot of focus sometimes on me as an actor. Maybe it was trying to shift the focus more to the story and these characters. And the importance of telling the story like this.'
Addressing Red Carpet Fashion
Elsewhere in the comprehensive Variety interview, Skarsgård addressed the considerable attention surrounding his increasingly bold, gender-fluid, and bondage-inspired red carpet appearances during the Pillion promotional tour.
'Um,' he began hesitantly, 'I never buy clothes. If you saw my closet, my wardrobe is very limited. I'm not a big consumer of fashion. I don't spend money on expensive brands. I really enjoy the creativity of it, but it's not like I'm out shopping for these outfits. I guess it's something I've leaned into a bit more of late.'
History of Queer Portrayals
Skarsgård's recent comments arrive after years of sustained public fascination with his on-screen portrayals of queer and sexually fluid characters. He is perhaps most celebrated for his role as Eric Northman on HBO's groundbreaking series True Blood from 2008 to 2014, where he played an openly pansexual vampire whose complex storylines included meaningful relationships with both men and women.
Furthermore, back in 2006, he delivered a nuanced performance as a transgender woman in the film Kill Your Darlings, demonstrating an early commitment to representing diverse identities on screen.
The Pillion Project
More recently, Pillion has once again positioned Skarsgård at the epicentre of conversations about sexuality and subcultural representation. In the A24-produced film, he portrays Ray, a dominant biker who enters a BDSM-focused relationship with a younger man played by Harry Melling. The project has generated significant buzz, particularly after receiving a remarkable seven-minute standing ovation at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Personal Reflections and Family Influence
Beyond his professional work, Skarsgård has occasionally shared personal perspectives that inform his worldview. In a 2016 interview with Pride Source, he discussed the profound influence of having a gay uncle and godfather.
'It's always been the most natural thing to me because my uncle and godfather is a gay man. So, growing up - even as a little toddler - it was just as natural as being straight,' Skarsgård explained. 'My aunt would show up with her husband, and my uncle would show up with his husband.'
He added with evident admiration, 'He was, by far, out of my father's four siblings, the most fashionable and the most trendy, cool guy. So, when I was a kid, he was the one I looked up to. I thought he was really badass: Fit and awesome and cool, and obviously not just because he was gay.'
Skarsgård concluded these reflections by noting, 'When I became a teenager and the kids made fun of other teenagers who were gay, I never really understood that. It just baffled me because my idol, my godfather, was gay… And he was the coolest guy I knew. I just couldn’t understand how that could be an insult.'
Lighthearted Moments
The actor has also shared lighter anecdotes about his career, including joking about his on-screen kissing experiences. When asked in 2016 to name the best kisser among Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman, and Ryan Kwanten, he quipped affectionately, 'Out of the three I've got to say Ryan Kwanten is surprisingly a good kisser actually.'
'He's very tender. You wouldn't think it because he's kind of a tough guy but very soft, gentle, tender touch,' Skarsgård added, referencing their memorable scene together in True Blood.
Most recently, at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Skarsgård celebrated Pillion's reception by warmly hugging and kissing fellow actor Pedro Pascal on the cheek, a moment captured by numerous cameras and widely shared across media platforms.
