The executive producer of Poldark has revealed Aidan Turner’s famous topless scene scything was almost dropped because the actor’s muscles were deemed too big for the role.
Show boss, Damien Timmer, admitted he wasn’t aware of the Dubliner’s physique when he was cast and worried that his buff bod didn’t fit with an 18th century Cornishman who returned from war.
“We hadn’t seen him with his shirt off before we cast him. It wasn’t a big thing whether he was going to be shirtless,” he said.
Muscles: Show creator of Poldark revealed Aidan’s topless scene was almost cut
“Then we looked at the rushes [uncut footage] and said, ‘Blimey, he’s so muscly.’
“[We] worried he was too muscly. There were discussions about whether he just looked too well-built for that moment,” he told the Telegraph.
Fortunately for fans around the world, the scene was left in and caused a flurry of excitement amongst viewers of the drama – making Aidan a heartthrob over night.
Reprise: Aidan joked he might reprise his infamous scything scene
Speaking ahead of the second series, The Hobbit star revealed that he might reprise the scene when asked if there would be any scything opportunities in season two.
“Possibly. It depends. It depends if we need the ratings. Oh dear, what has my life become,” he laughed.
