Alexander Skarsgård is clearing up rumors about his sexuality.
At the Zurich Film Festival last October, the 49-year-old actor was promoting his film “Pillion,” in which he plays a biker in a BDSM relationship with a young man, and sparked speculation that he is bisexual when he talked about being with both men and women “in the past.”
But in an interview with Variety released Monday, Skarsgård clarified he wasn’t coming out as bisexual.
Alexander Skarsgård at the “Pillion” photocall during the 21st Zurich Film Festival on Oct. 1. Getty Images for ZFF
Alexander Skarsgård attends the 35th Gotham Film Awards in New York City in December. GC Images“That it resonated with my past? It was definitely not an intended statement,” Skarsgård said. “I don’t know what I was talking about.”
“Maybe it has to do with — there’s a lot of focus sometimes on me as an actor,” the “Big Little Lies” alum continued. “Maybe it was trying to shift the focus more to the story and these characters. And the importance of telling the story like this.”
Harry Melling, Alexander Skarsgård in “Pillion.” Courtesy Everett Collection
Alexander Skarsgård, Harry Melling in “Pillion.” Courtesy Everett CollectionSkarsgård’s original comments from the 2025 Zurich Film Festival press conference for “Pillion” created confusion about his sexual orientation.
“I found that in this case, it’s not really relevant what my background is,” he said of his role in the film. “I mean, I do have a kid, but what I’ve done in the past, who I’ve been with, men, women.”
Skarsgård added, “To me, what was important was that this felt like an opportunity to tell a story about a subculture I hadn’t seen portrayed this way — with so much authenticity.”
Alexander Skarsgård being interviewed at the “War On Everyone” premiere during the 2016 Zurich Film Festival. Getty ImagesThe “Succession” star has a son, who was born in 2022, with Swedish actress Tuva Novotny, 46.
Skarsgård has never been married and is typically private about his personal life.
In the Variety interview, Skarsgård explained how his priorities have changed since becoming a dad.
Alexander Skarsgård seen at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City in May 2024. GC Images
Tuva Novotny attends the Los Angeles premiere “Annihilation” in 2018. FilmMagic“I lived on the road. I love that aspect of the industry — you’re a traveling circus,” he said of his life pre-parenthood. “But now, I need to balance that with family life and making sure I can be present for my kid. I can’t be as selfish and narcissistic as I was before.”
Speaking to Esquire last year, the “True Blood” alum explained why he’s happy he had a child later in life.
Alexander Skarsgård seen in New York City on Dec. 2. GC Images“I’m glad that I didn’t have that responsibility when I started out and could just be selfish and throw myself into anything without taking other people’s needs and desires into consideration,” he told the outlet. “That obviously changes when you have a kid and you have responsibility.”
“But I’m grateful that I am in a position today where I can afford to say no to stuff and also make sure that, when I do take a job, it works for the family,” he added.
