FX has officially greenlit a new limited series called Legends, reuniting Charlie Hunnam and a large portion of the original Sons of Anarchy cast in a meta twist that has fans both baffled and intrigued. The project, developed by Hunnam alongside Jonathan Groff, will see the actors play fictionalized versions of themselves at a fan convention more than a decade after the original series ended.
Cast and Concept
Joining Hunnam are cast members Ron Perlman, Katey Sagal, Maggie Siff, Mark Boone Junior, Tommy Flanagan, Kim Coates and Theo Rossi, who originally played Clay, Gemma, Tara, Bobby, Chibs, Tig and Juice respectively. According to Variety, the plot involves the line between life and art blurring as the former co-stars face a genuine threat more dangerous than anything their fictional biker gang encountered on the show.
Hunnam will not reprise his role as Jax Teller; instead, he will play himself. The original series, created by Kurt Sutter, premiered in 2008 and ran for seven seasons and 92 episodes before ending in 2014. Its universe later expanded through spin-off Mayans M.C.
Fan Reactions and Comparisons
Fans have taken to social media to express a mix of confusion and excitement. One Reddit user commented, 'I still have no idea what this is really gonna be, but it sounds entertaining as hell.' Another compared the concept to 'SoA meets This Is The End,' referencing the 2013 comedy where stars played exaggerated versions of themselves. 'This sounds a little confusing but I love this franchise so I’m in !!!!' one fan declared. Another joked that Hunnam had pitched his own Sons of Anarchy fan fiction to television executives, noting an undeniable 'WTF?! quality' to the project.
Executive and Creator Support
Nick Grad, president of FX Entertainment, said the network immediately 'sparked' to Hunnam's idea when he brought it to them. He described Legends as both 'a love letter to the series' and a 'fun meta twist on what fans think they know.' Kurt Sutter, the original series creator, is not involved in Legends but has publicly endorsed it. In a video on Instagram, Sutter stated: 'I’m not involved with Legends at all — nor should I be. It has nothing to do with the characters I created, or the mythology. It’s really about the show and the legacy of the show.' He added: 'I gave Charlie my full blessing. I wish nothing but the best for him in this project. My wife [star Katey Sagal] is in the project. So it has my full-blown support.'
Uncertainty and Potential
Some fans question whether Legends can truly be considered a Sons of Anarchy spin-off, given that actors play themselves rather than their original characters. One Reddit user pointed out the amusing prospect of Perlman being dragged back into the biker universe, given the actor has previously spoken about not sharing Clay Morrow's enthusiasm for motorcycles. Others argue that ditching the original characters could be the project's greatest strength, allowing it to tap into the cast's chemistry without being constrained by years of complicated SAMCRO history. The series marks a major new step for Hunnam, who recently earned his first Emmy nomination for playing Ed Gein in Netflix's Monster: The Ed Gein Story. Hunnam will serve as a writer, performer, and executive producer on Legends.
