Charming Jude Law on the Cover of GQ

For millions of viewers, Jude Law has become a true icon—charming, attractive, and undeniably handsome.

For millions of viewers, Jude Law has become a true icon—charming, attractive, and undeniably handsome. Over the decades, his roles on screen have captivated audiences, and it seemed as if life itself was under the spell of his charm. But now, at 51 years old, the actor decides to step away from his usual roles and embrace darker, more complex characters. Is he ready to free himself from the boundaries he’s created for himself?

It all started with a simple text message that I received right after the seatbelt sign went off on the airplane. Jude Law asked if my flight had gone well and if I wanted to join the shoot, which had been running late. We had arranged to meet the next day, but due to circumstances, my flight was delayed, and outside, Hurricane Ernesto was raging over Manhattan, flooding the streets with rain. Despite the exhaustion, I accepted the invitation and headed to the set.

An hour later, a black SUV with tinted windows picks me up and takes me to a huge hangar turned into a faithfully recreated bar. Inside, I’m greeted by the crew, and they give me headphones to follow what’s happening on screen. And there he is—Jude Law, rushing down the stairs, shouting into his phone, saying something like “Damn!” at full volume. His character is clearly in trouble, but that’s just the beginning. The plot of Black Rabbit (coming in 2025) is full of unexpected twists, and Jude plays the role brilliantly.

When the shoot wraps, Jude emerges in a black suit, drenched in sweat, but smiling. With a smile, he starts showing me the set, not forgetting the little details that make it come to life: shelves of alcohol, paintings on the walls. He addresses each crew member—whether it’s an assistant or a worker with a screwdriver—by name, as though they’re old friends.

Twenty minutes later, I’m back in the car, where there’s a child’s seat for one of his younger kids. Jude, despite a long 15-hour workday, is full of enthusiasm and talks about Black Rabbit in such detail as if he’d just had a light conversation. We speed through the rainy streets of SoHo, and he waves goodbye before disappearing around the corner.

Looking at Jude Law is looking at a man who has freed himself from stereotypes about his appearance and roles. He is no longer the heartthrob who attracted the masses. Now, he embraces more complex and darker characters. And maybe this is exactly what he needs to truly become free.