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Charlie Hunnam returns this week in Shantaram, a new Apple+ series in which he plays a convicted bank robber who escapes from prison and builds a new life in India. To whet your appetite, here's a reminder of some of the other roles that have made the English actor a firm favorite.
1. Queer as Folk (1999-2000)
When he was just 18, Hunnam landed his breakthrough role in the original British version of Queer as Folk. Written by returning Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies, this influential and fondly remembered drama series followed the lives of three gay men living in Manchester, England. There's a cute nod to Hunnam's character Nathan Maloney in Peacock's recent Queer as Folk reboot: he appears briefly as a face on a dating app.

2. Green Street (2005)
This Britflick about soccer hooligans isn't perfect and wasn't a huge hit at the time, but it's definitely compelling. Hunnam is suitably intense as a primary school teacher and gang leader who takes a disgraced former Harvard student (Elijah Wood) under his wing. The strong cast also includes Rafe Spall and Hustle's Marc Warren.

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3. Children of Men (2006)
Based on a P. D. James novel, this dystopian thriller film set in a bleak-near future has become a cult classic. Appearing opposite Clive Owen, Julianne Moore and Chiwetel Ejiofor, Hunnam has a meaty supporting role as a henchman helping a pregnant woman to safety. She's the first woman to fall pregnant in 17 years, so it's super high-stakes stuff.

4. Sons of Anarchy (2008-2014)
Hunnam's signature role – so far, anyway – came in this addicting crime drama series. Over seven seasons, he portrays Jax Teller, the vice president and then president of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club. Hunnam notched up a couple of nominations at the Critics' Choice Television Awards for his fierce performance as a man struggling to live up to his father's legacy.

5. Pacific Rim (2013)
Hunnam takes the lead in this full-throttle blockbuster from Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro. As Raleigh Becket, a pilot called out of retirement to help defeat an alien race of sea monsters, he's both heroic and fundamentally relatable. It's especially fun seeing Hunnam share scenes with Idris Elba, who plays his commanding officer. 

6. Crimson Peak (2015)
Hunnam reunited with del Toro for this spooky romantic movie set in the late 19th century. He plays Dr. Alan McMichael, a childhood friend of aspiring author Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska), who begins to suspect that Edith's new husband Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) isn't quite what he seems. Sir Thomas's grand English mansion is a very creepy place, so Dr. Alan may well be the voice of reason.

7. The Gentlemen (2019)
Directed by Guy Ritchie, this crime comedy film is a (very) salty romp. Hunnam nails the assignment as Raymond Smith, the right-hand man of powerful drug baron Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey). The trouble really starts when sketchy private investigator Fletcher (Hugh Grant) tries to blackmail Raymond with evidence of Pearson's links to an influential Lord. This one's for grown-ups only, but lots of fun to revisit.

Do you have a favorite Charlie Hunnam performance?