Josh O'Connor admits he has 'mixed feelings' about playing gay characters after roles in God's Own Country and forthcoming The History of Sound

Josh O'Connor has admitted he has 'mixed feelings' about playing gay characters despite starring in two homosexual roles.

The actor, 34, reflected on his role in the 2017 film God's Own Country which sees his character Johnny, fall in love with a Romanian migrant worker.

He is next set to star in the forthcoming romantic drama, The History of Sound, alongside Paul Mescal .

In the film, Lionel (Paul) and David (Josh), who meet at music college, embark on a project to record the lives, voices and music of their friends and countrymen, and in the process forge a forbidden bond.

Josh said that he found the controversy surrounding straight actors playing gay characters 'difficult' as he explained how he chooses his roles based on 'all aspects' of the character.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Josh said: 'It's a really difficult subject. The truth is that ultimately I will read a script and what affects me, affects me.

The actor explained how The History Of Sound was also about grief, companionship and music as well as love.

Whereas his role is God's Own Country told the story of 'someone who was unable to love and be loved.'

He added: 'A character's sexuality, a character's background, where they've grown up, their dynamic with their family—these are all aspects to any character, and so I take those as seriously as I would any other aspect.

'But to be totally truthful, I'm not 100% sure how I do feel about it. I think I have mixed feelings.

The biggest stars of 2025 have come together for Vanity Fair's Hollywood issue.

A dozen of the biggest names in the industry have come out in force for the 31st cover and given an insight into how they have become trail-blazers in the industry.

Zendaya , Nicole Kidman and Sydney Sweeney lead the Hollywood royalty and show off their incredible style in designer outfits for the captivating photoshoot.

They join the likes of Josh, Glen Powell , Zoe Saldana , Dev Patel, Danielle Deadwyler, Jonathan Bailey , Lisa, Ncuti Gatwa and Bill Skarsgard.

Photographed by Gordon Von Steiner and styled by George Cortina, the portfolio features stunning solo portraits and interviews with the stars.

Josh is fast becoming one of Hollywood's most sought-after leading men, best known as Larry in ITV 's The Durrells and for his portrayal of a young Prince Charles in 13 episodes of The Crown .

But his burgeoning fame was cemented in Challengers, with his performance as Patrick, a cocksure tennis professional.

He's one of several actors, including Paul, who have sprung to fame for portraying more nuanced sides of masculinity.

Although Josh put it more bluntly in an interview: 'I think we're all still trying to figure out what the f*** is wrong with men.'