50 Shades of Grey interview: Hot daddy Callum Rennie talks chaps and full frontals

CALLUM KEITH RENNIE spills about the sexy blockbuster, his co-star Jamie Dornan and his incredible career in shows like Californication and Battlestar Galactica

By Stefan Kyriazis, Arts Editor

Fifty Shades of Grey US TV Spot

Who's the daddy?

Well, in the case of the 50 Shades of Grey socio-sexual juggernaut it's Callum Keith Rennie.

The British-born Canadian actor plays Anastasia's favourite stepfather Ray Steele in the record-breaking film which is currently scorching up screens worldwide.

You may know the silver fox from his scene-stealing work on cult TV shows like David Duchovny's Californication or the sci-fi epic Battlestar Gallactica, but his profile is about to rocket as the first film adaptation of E.L. James' block (and bonk) busting books ignites the global box office.

The 54-year-old also recently starred in the far more wholesome The Young and Prodigious T.S.Spivet, alongside our very own Helena Bonham-Carter.

So what kind of man is the not so young and prodigious Mr. Rennie?

Hi Callum. Two daddies in two very different films, how did you do it?

"What can I tell you? I'm very lucky!"

Well, you can tell me what prodigious means.

"Ah, um.. You keep talking and i'll check the google-box!"

Ok, slightly easier question - on a scale of 1-50 shades, how sexually adventurous are you?

[Laughs] "34. Not too low, not too high. A solid B+ student."

Callum RennieGETTY

Callum Rennie Plays Anastasia Steele's step-father in Fifty Shades of Grey

Were you prepared for the insanity when the film came out? 

“I don’t know how you can possibly get ready for these kind of things but it’s a phenomenon.

"I’m curious to see how it all goes.”

Are you glad you’re not in Jamie or Dakota’s shoes?

“I empathise with their situation and I just hope that they find their strength to deal with it.

"It something very personal to them.

"I like to keep my head down.

"I’ve tried to never be create gossip or be the topic of bad conversation.”

Are you always happy to be part of projects like 50 Shades or Californication that deal explicitly with sex and sexuality? 

“A strong yes!

"Of course it can be uncomfortable but you are protected by playing a character, so it doesn’t always feel real and you can distance how you feel about it."

Are there gonna be any big family screenings at home of 50 Shades?

“Oh yes.” [laughs]

What about the older relatives?

“My family are great. Yeah, they’d love that.

"Besides, it’s not me being full frontal this time.

"I’m not lifting my kilt on screen.

“I have certainly done some other pieces of work that have not met with family approval.”

 50 shades of grey star Callum Keith Rennie and Helena Bonham Carter in The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet PH

Callum with Helena Bonham Carter and Niamh Wilson in The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet

Did you say kilt?

“Well, I was born in Sunderland but my parents are Scottish.

"We came over to Canada a long time ago but I've visited a few times recently.

"When I’m at home, my mum makes Haggis and scones, so I feel very at home in Scotland and when I’m there eating black pudding and they give me a little whiskey with breakfast, it’s like water!’

You know what’s coming next - underwear or not with the kilt?

“I think it’s a no-go. Gotta go traditional.”

You play a cowboy in The Young and Prodigious T.S.Spivet - how did you saddle up for the role?

"We have prairies and horses back home in Edmonton, so it was easy."

Yes, I'm gonna go there again - blame 50 Shades - do you own any chaps?

[laughs] "No! But i do have cowboy boots if that helps?"

What was the highlight of working on the film?

"Oh, so many things. The scenery we were surrounded by was incredible. But mostly I was slapping myself thinking, ‘I’m working with Helena Bonham Carter and Jean Pierre. Fantastic!’

"And the film is such a delight, a real fairytale story of one boy coming of age. It's magical."

Is Helena posh and regal at all times?

“She’s terribly British but she’s not regal - she’s completely normal and wonderful and easy going and fun.

She's very fun to hang out with. Very witty and absolutely charming.”

Sex scenes aside what attracts you to choosing a part?

"When you start out you just want to work. Then you start learning what you like to do.

"But the reason for picking Battlestar was not because I knew what a phenomenon it was gonna become but because I was working with Edward James Olmos.

"Californication was the same - working with David Duchovny.

"We had met back in 1994 working on the X Files TV show and when we started doing the X Files movie (2008's X Files: I Want To Believe) we started up the same conversations that we’d had.

"He was like, ‘You should come and do this show, Californication,’ and I was like, ‘what?’

"But I took a look and it was the most fantastic show I had ever seen.”

And what's coming up next?

"Apart from 50 Shades and the sequels, I just finished working on a project called Into the Forest with Ellen Page and Evan Rachel Wood.

"We’ve made a nice little film which I’m very proud of."

How have you avoided the pitfalls of Hollywood?!

"I started out when i was 33, so I've always beena bit long in the tooth for pretty boy roles.

"It’s all about trying to avoid peaks and valleys.

"I've always wanted to have a really long career and, so far, for 21 years it’s been mad.

"It’s been a nice trajectory forwards and hopefully I keep learning more about the craft, meeting people, working with good people and making good decisions along the way."

Fifty Shades of Grey is out now in cinemas

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