The first teaser of Pillion sent the gays into overdrive upon seeing Hollywood heartthrob Alexander Skarsgrd developing a dominant/submissive BDSM relationship with costar Harry Melling.I have an aptitude for devotion, Melling (Colin) says in the teaser when asked about his relationship with Ray (Skarsgrd).And buy yourself a butt plug, Ray tells Colin in an instantly viral scene from the teaser. Youre too tight.Yet, beyond the eroticism in Skarsgrds new queer film written and directed by Harry Lighton the gays flooded social media feeds with even more thoughts and thirst over the Swedish actor supposedly coming out of the closet in a new interview.Even though Skarsgrds quote in that particular interview has seemingly been misinterpreted, the actor does have a long history with the LGBTQ+ community. Ahead, check out some of the Pillion actors most memorable moments and statements involving queer people, culture, aesthetics, and experiences including his latest red carpet stintWhats the story of Alexander Skarsgrds gay uncle? Alexander Skarsgrd in Pillion.A24Skarsgrd was interviewed by Pride Source in 2016 as he promoted the live-action film The Legend of Tarzan for Warner Bros. Pictures. In the interview, he discussed having a gay uncle (who also happened to be his godfather).I dont know if you know this, but gay men love you, the Pride Source reporter said.Skarsgrd replied, Oh, really?They do, the reporter teased. Is that surprising to hear?Skarsgrd said, I dont know how to answer that question, but thank you. That's very flattering to hear. 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.My aunt would show up with her husband, and my uncle would show up with his husband, the actor added. He was, by far, out of my fathers 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. When I became a teenager and the kids made fun of other teenagers who were gay, I never really understood that.Skarsgrd concluded, It just baffled me because my idol, my godfather, was gay And he was the coolest guy I knew. I just couldnt understand how that could be an insult.What was Alexander Skarsgrds sexuality on HBOs True Blood? Ryan Kwanten and Alexander Skarsgrd on True Blood.HBOSkarsgrd reached new heights in his career and became a certified Hollywood sex symbol while playing pansexual vampire Eric Northman on HBOs True Blood. At the time, some critics argued that the series was too gay a criticism that Skarsgrd felt was ridiculous.What was so interesting about the show was that it wasnt on the nose, Skarsgrd told Pride Source. Its obviously a cultural reference and a metaphor A lot of the storylines are metaphors for the strife people in the LGBT community experience, but it's done in a very subtle way, where people who have never met anyone who's gay or who have prejudice toward that community would still embrace the show and would still come up (to me) and be super excited about it.They also would love Lafayette I mean, a Black gay man. What [creator] Alan [Ball] did was beautiful and it was groundbreakingIn this instance, a lot of people who didnt have anyone close to them in the LGBT community suddenly had someone in their living room every Sunday night that they loved.Whats Alexander Skarsgrds advice for straight actors doing gay sex scenes? Alexander Skarsgrd at the premiere screening of Infinity Pool at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2023 in Park City, Utah.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesSkarsgrd was also not concerned, when asked in 2016, about doing gay sex scenes on True Blood. In fact, he even shared some advice with straight actors who might feel tense and/or uncertain.You just have to embrace it. I had two gay sex scenes on the show; theyre incredible scenes, the actor recalled. I remember talking to Theo [Alexander], who played the Greek lover of Russell Edgington [played by Denis OHare], and that was the first gay sex scene I had on True Blood. Hes also a straight guy and he was nervous; he had never kissed a guy before. I just said, Look at the scene. Its this nemesis. When he comes in, it gets seductive.Skarsgrd elaborated, If we commit to this, its going to be an amazing scene, and we're going to be very happy with it forever. If we hold back, thats when it gets awkward.Lady Gagas poisoned lover in the Paparazzi music video (2009) was played by Alexander Skarsgrd. Alexander Skarsgrd starring in Lady Gagas Paparazzi music video.Interscope RecordsSkarsgrd also discussed the idea that his gay following mightve grown even more after he starred in Lady Gagas 2009s music video of Paparazzi.I wasnt famous at all. I wore a wig in the first season of True Blood, so no one ever recognized me, Skarsgrd told Pride Source. But my friend Jonas kerlund is a tremendous music video director and called me and said, Hey, Im directing this video for an artist. Her name is Lady Gaga. Id heard her name, but didn't know much about her.kerlunds pitch, according to Skarsgrd? You throw her off the balcony and then she comes back and she poisons you. The actor added, It sounded like a fun love story, so of course I said yes. I had a super fun day.For context, Paparazzi was the first installment of Gagas planned trilogy of music videos that have Telephone (featuring Beyonc) as part two. Fans have been eagerly anticipating a third video to conclude the trilogy which would probably involve kerlund as director, and perhaps even flashbacks with Skarsgrd? One can dream!TKAlexander Skarsgrd attended a movie premiere in full glamazon drag. Actors Bel Powley and Alexander Skarsgrd, alongside director Marielle Heller, at the premiere screening of The Diary Of a Teenage Girl in August 2015.Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images Picture it: Castro Theatre, San Francisco, 2015.Skarsgrd and his full height of 64 walked the red carpet for his latest movie, The Diary of a Teenage Girl, in full glamazon drag And even looked gorge, one could say.When was Alexander Skarsgrd spotted at a gay nightclub? (@) Yes, Skarsgrd seemingly out of nowhere appeared at a gay venue in Sweden named Club Backdoor in September 2023.As a 64 man who also happens to be a big Hollywood star, lets just say that it wasnt entirely difficult for people at the club to spot him. Throughout the night, the actor was seen in several pictures and videos that showed him dancing and having a great time. See on Instagram In one particular photo, Skarsgrd was seen posing alongside out-of-drag Vanity Vain a drag artist who competed on Drag Race Sverige season 1 and subsequently returned to Mama Rus queendom for RuPauls Drag Race Global All Stars. In the picture, the actor was even seen wearing Vanity Vain merch.Hollywood kissed me and wore my merch, the Drag Race alum wrote in the caption. In a report from that wild night from Gayety, Club Backdoor was described as Scandinavias biggest gay club.Alexander Skarsgrd and Pedro Pascal kissed at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. (@) Pillion premiered at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and received a seven-minute standing ovation from the audience.As Skarsgrd felt all the love that he and the film received from the festivalgoers, Skarsgrd returned it two-fold with a warm embrace and by planting a wet one on the cheek of a smiling Pedro Pascal who was on his feet, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter. The concept of two Hollywood heartthrobs kissing each other at a film festival to celebrate that a new project has been well-received A beautiful concept, honestly.How did Alexander Skarsgrd and Jack McBrayer become such close friends? (@) Another intense discourse regarding Skarsgrds sexuality involves fellow actor Jack McBrayer, best known for playing Kenneth The Page Parcell on 30 Rock (the hit NBC series created by Tina Fey after she left Saturday Night Live).Lets circle back to what we do know for a fact. Skarsgrd and McBrayer have been friends since 2012 as they attended the same Hollywood events and found out that they happened to be neighbors (per Cracked).The publication outlined that the two actors have been to NASCAR races together, coffee shop dates, and Skarsgrd even took McBrayer as his date to the 2018 SAG Awards during his Big Little Lies stint. Otherwise, the duo starred together in a Funny or Die video.Theyre two Hollywood stars who have known each other for 13 years and bonded during a period when they were neighbors. The comedy bit of McBrayer being taken to award shows by Skarsgrd is hilarious, too, but thats really all there is to it. Did Alexander Skarsgrd come out in an interview for Pillion? Alexander Skarsgrd and Harry Melling in Pillion.A24 Thousands of fans have taken to social media to gleefully comment on and/or react to Skarsgrd seemingly coming out in an interview with Variety. While its totally possible for a person to come out at any stage in life, its important to note that this particular new statement from Skarsgrd was not a coming-out story.When asked if his real-life experiences played a factor in this performance as a biker gang leader who develops a dominant/submissive relationship with a younger man (played by Melling) in Pillion, Skarsgrd noted that its not really relevant what my background is.The actor added, What Ive done in the past, who Ive been with, men, women To me, what was important was that this felt like an opportunity to tell a story about a subculture I hadnt seen portrayed this way with so much authenticity. (@) Mikelle Street perfectly articulated the misunderstanding that is happening here. What he said is that its not relevant whether hes been with men or women, he wrote on X/Twitter. He didnt say Ive been with men and women. A comma, used in a list can be used as and or it can be used as or. In this sentence, context says or!The first comma in Skarsgrds answer is also worth paying attention to. The actor essentially said that playing this character had nothing to do with who he has been with. So, it doesnt matter if he had been with men, or with women, in the past. He still approached the performance in the same way.Alexander Skarsgrd brings leather daddy energy to the BFI red carpet. Alexander Skarsgrd in an interview with the British Film Institute at the 69th BFI London Film Festival.Instagram (@britishfilminstitute) Skarsgrd made headlines once again at the Headline Gala screening of Pillion during the 69th BFI London Film Festival held on Saturday, October 18. While it made sense for the actor to reference the theme/aesthetic of the film itself while attending this screening, he certainly wasnt obligated to do any of that. (Thankfully, he did.)Styled by Harry Lambert, Skarsgrd wore a full look from Ludovic de Saint Sernins fall 2025 collection, Anna Cafolla wrote for Vogue. A white, backless halter-neck shirt with a skinny leather tie, with tight, lace-up leather pants, and chunky round-toe Jimmy Choo boots.Skarsgrd went even more viral while raising his left arm during an interview with the British Film Institute, showing off his strong arms and armpit hair seemingly by accident.Who is Alexander Skarsgrds wife? Alexander Skarsgrd and Tuva Novotny alongside Christos Nikou at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival at Palazzo del Cinema in Venice, Italy.Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for LexusSkarsgrd isnt legally married and thus doesnt have a wife but has been in a relationship with Swedish actress Tuva Novotny since 2022, as reported by numerous publications like Elle.In 2023, Skarsgrd confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that he and Novotny had just welcomed their first child. Despite being in the film industry for more than two decades, Novotny has famously kept a private life.Pillion is coming to theaters in 2026