Alexander Skarsgård on the Contradictions of Masculinity in Pillion

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Many actors might hesitate to star in a film about a gay BDSM relationship—one featuring an experienced, dominant older man and a younger, inexperienced submissive, with a power dynamic involving both sexual and everyday tasks. However, when Alexander Skarsgård read the script for Pillion, he immediately knew he wanted the part.

“My main goal was simply to create this film,” he explained from his home in Stockholm. “I wanted it to be available for people to see.”

I was so excited to finally see Pillion in theaters on February 6th! It first premiered at Cannes last year and actually won an award for its screenplay. It’s really cool that this film is the feature debut for Harry Lighton, who adapted the novel Box Hill: A Story of Low Self-Esteem by Adam Mars-Jones. Everyone’s been raving about it, and I’ve seen tons of photos of Bill Skarsgård looking amazing in leather during the press tour!

The actor has been incredibly busy lately. In January, he premiered two films at Sundance—a humorous fake documentary with Charli XCX and a fantasy romance where he stars alongside Olivia Colman. He’s also been actively supporting his father, Stellan, during awards season for his film, Sentimental Value. His new film, Pillion, is arriving at a time when LGBTQ+ representation in media is gaining significant momentum, fueled by the popularity of Heated Rivalry, a romance praised for its honest and explicit portrayal of gay relationships, appealing to a broad audience. Pillion explores whether a wider audience is prepared for a gay romance that isn’t conventionally portrayed.

When they first spoke, Lighton made a good impression on Skarsgård, even though Lighton was relatively new to directing. Skarsgård especially appreciated that Lighton had researched the U.K.-based Gay Biker Motorcycle Club (GBMCC) to accurately depict the group in the film. He also loved how kind and gentle the script for the romantic comedy was.

I was really fascinated by how much everyone respected each other on this project. The director, Lighton, told me Skarsgård is incredibly intelligent – almost intimidatingly so! Apparently, getting Skarsgård on board was a game-changer; they didn’t even have funding until he signed on, and then things moved quickly. Lighton was so confident Skarsgård would join, he actually used the actor’s picture in pitches to potential investors! And it wasn’t just Skarsgård, either. Having Harry Melling – you know, Dudley Dursley from Harry Potter – play the sub to Skarsgård’s dominant character was a huge boost too, according to Lighton.

Director Lighton expected Stellan Skarsgård to be interested in the project. He notes that Skarsgård consistently chooses roles that defy typical leading-man expectations, often combining playful mischief with strong acting. Lighton was more surprised that Skarsgård agreed to work on a small, independent British film – Pillion, which was filmed mostly in Bromley, London. Skarsgård is known for starring in major TV successes like Big Little Lies and Succession, as well as large-scale movies such as The Legend of Tarzan and Godzilla vs. Kong, and his recent role in Apple’s Murderbot series.

The character of Ray, a biker who usually wears leather, requires a cold and sometimes cruel demeanor, especially towards Colin, who is completely devoted to him. Ray is a man of few words, giving short, direct commands both inside and outside the bedroom. Much of the tension in their relationship comes from the fact that Colin doesn’t know much about Ray’s past or what drives him, and the story doesn’t reveal much either. Actor Bill Skarsgård created a history for Ray and continued to develop it as he explored the connection with his co-star, Josh Melling. He enjoyed this process, saying it kept the character feeling fresh and evolving, even up until the very last day of filming. He felt like he was still discovering who Ray was.

Bill Skarsgård’s character, Ray, strongly represents traditional masculinity, but the actor enjoyed adding unexpected details. Ray wears “dorky” reading glasses while reading Karl Ove Knausgård, and has a tattoo listing the names of old talk show hosts – Ellen, Wendy, and Rosie. Skarsgård believes it’s crucial to add complexity to traditionally masculine roles to make them compelling. He found this complexity in his role in The Northman, portraying a Viking warrior who is, at his core, a traumatized child witnessing his father’s death. Skarsgård is drawn to characters who desperately try to appear strong and energetic, and he finds it fascinating to explore the insecurity that drives that need for projection. He enjoys uncovering why a character feels the need to constantly project an image of strength.

When speaking, Bill Skarsgård seems much more relaxed than the intense characters he plays. I spoke with him at his apartment in Sweden, which he bought near his childhood home – a place where he likes to unwind between projects. He’s thoughtful and speaks at length, and comes across as very easygoing. He even admits he doesn’t always feel secure, especially when talking about being cast as a very attractive character (the show describes his character as ‘impossibly handsome’). He jokes that roles like this are good for his ego. He avoids reading reviews, knowing that as an actor, any criticism would really bother him, or even make him feel like a fake. When asked if he prefers to be called Alexander or Alex, he says either is fine, then playfully suggests, “Lord Skarsgård is perfect.”

Alexander Skarsgård approaches playing LGBTQ+ characters with a natural comfort, having done so several times throughout his career – including his role in True Blood, a part in the 2010 mockumentary Beyond the Pole, and even an appearance in Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” video (which he playfully acknowledges wasn’t not a queer role). He credits his upbringing and close relationship with his gay uncle as key to this ease. Skarsgård explains that growing up, his uncle’s sexuality was simply a part of his family, and he’s always been comfortable and immersed in LGBTQ+ culture, often frequenting gay clubs and having many LGBTQ+ friends. He jokingly admits that he enjoys the attention he receives at these clubs, saying it’s a good way to boost his ego.

Recently, there’s been a lot of discussion about Bill Skarsgård’s personal life, particularly his sexuality. This started after he spoke at the Zurich Film Festival in October about his role in Pillion. He explained that his past relationships – with both men and women – weren’t important, and that he was more focused on authentically portraying a specific subculture. He later clarified these comments in Variety after some people thought he was coming out as bisexual. The conversation continued on The Graham Norton Show in November when Miriam Margolyes directly asked him if he was gay. Skarsgård playfully responded, “No—not really.” When pressed about his vague answer, he simply chuckled and alluded to his past, saying, “We all remember the college years.”

Look, he’s used to the chatter, but honestly, what he wishes people would talk about is the movie itself, not his personal life. It’s a fair point, especially when you’re dealing with a film as explicitly sexual as Pillion. And surprisingly, he wasn’t fazed by any of it. He actually felt excited about the sex scenes – and I can see why. They weren’t gratuitous; they were really well-integrated into the story. He never felt uncomfortable, which is a testament to how thoughtfully they were handled. They had an intimacy coordinator, Robbie Taylor-Hunt, which is crucial, but they also went a step further. They brought in members of the GBMCC and kink communities, not just as extras, but as consultants, getting their input on everything from positioning to props. The director described his approach as incredibly relaxed, yet fully engaged, and after seeing the film, I totally get it. It’s a bold, honest approach to a sensitive subject, and it really works.

Skarsgård described a kiss between his character and Colin as surprisingly intense, noting that close physical contact, like feeling someone’s breath, can be more intimate than other forms of intimacy. While he’s comfortable with nudity on screen – referencing a well-known scene from True Blood – he playfully avoided revealing whether any prosthetics were used in the new film, saying they prefer to keep the details of filming private.

As Skarsgård talks more about his character, it’s evident he feels a connection to Ray. While Ray’s cruelty goes beyond a simple dominant/submissive relationship—he finds fault with Colin’s cooking while contributing nothing himself, and even tries to make Colin jealous by having sex with someone else in front of him—the actor justifies Ray’s behavior. Skarsgård explains, “Ray is very honest with Colin from the start about their arrangement. He knows what he wants in a relationship, which I think is refreshing because most people don’t. Everything is out in the open, and Colin is free to leave at any time. He’s not being held against his will; he’s there by choice, and he’s an adult.”

Bill Skarsgård is much more open and enthusiastic than his on-screen character, Ray. He expresses genuine excitement about the film, saying he’s thrilled it was made and loves seeing such a diverse audience enjoy it. He hopes the movie will be a fun and entertaining experience for everyone, while also staying true to its story and not alienating those outside of a specific group. That’s what the filmmakers aimed for.

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2026-02-06 16:07