Few shows have been able to come along and develop such a unique and rabid following quite like the series Sons of Anarchy. Motorcycle fascination is nothing new, but the way that this series was able to incorporate motorcycle gangs and adult themes captivated a massive audience, helping the show become a hit in no time. In fact, the series was successful enough to spawn a spin-off project that people have been enjoying since its debut.
Hardcore fans of the series can recall even the most minute detail from the show, but there were a lot of moving pieces behind the scenes that helped bring everything to life. Without everything that happened when the cameras weren’t rolling, this series would not have had the same impact that it did.
Today, we are going to shine a light on Sons of Anarchy and take a look at some of the most interesting facts about what was going on behind the scenes.
15 The Series Is Loosely Based On Hamlet
Inspiration can come from the places that we least expect, and this was certainly the case for this series. There are few people out there that would assume that Shakespeare would be the inspiration behind a series about a motorcycle gang, but Hamlet was what this series was loosely based on.
14 David Labrava Is A Hells Angels Member
Shows like Sons of Anarchy want things to be as authentic as possible to help the show feel real to fans, and this has led to some interesting decisions being made. Actor David Labrava not only looks the part of a biker, but it turns out that he is actually part of the Hells Angels.
13 Katey Sagal Has One Of Her Songs Featured In Each Season
Katey Sagal has had a tremendous amount of success on the small screen over the years, having been a featured performer on two classic shows. Many people don’t know that she can shine behind a microphone as well, and this series featured some of her music in each season that aired.
12 Tommy Flanagan's Facial Scars Are Real
Casting a series is a huge part of its success, and to say that Tommy Flanagan was a perfect fit here would be an understatement. Many people took notice of Flanagan’s scars, and some assumed that they were done with makeup. Turns out, these scars are as real as it gets.
11 Charlie Hunnam Was Gifted Knives By Fans
Performers from popular shows will often have the chance to interact with adoring fans, and sometimes, these fans will come bearing gifts. Charlie Hunnam played Jax Teller on the series, and fans have gifted the performer plenty of knives over the years. This is because his character is always carrying one.
10 Stephen King Was A Fan And Appeared On The Series
Celebrities are just like you and me in that they also like to sit at home and watch some television to unwind. Stephen King is a massive fan of the series, and he wound up having the chance to make a cameo. This must have been a dream come true for the author.
9 Donal Logue Was Removed From The Show Early Due To Scheduling Conflicts
Donal Logue is a performer that got the chance to have a sizable role on Sons of Anarchy, and some people were sad to see him make his departure. As it were, Logue had to have an earlier than expected departure due to a scheduling conflict with another project that he had.
8 Scott Glenn Was The Original Choice For Clay
There can sometimes be swaps at the last minute when making a series, and before Ron Perlman slid into the role of Clay, Scott Glenn had the part. In fact, Scott filmed plenty of scenes as the character for the pilot, and he can be seen in one shot of the final cut.
7 Charlie Hunnam Struggled To Move On
Taking part in a huge television project that lasts for a long time can be draining for a performer, but they get so accustomed to the role that they may have some attachment to it. Charlie Hunnam did not move on easily after the series ended, and he often found himself returning to the film lot.
6 The Role Of Gemma Was Written With Katey Sagal In Mind
Writers can have a performer in mind when penning a part, but this does not mean that they will get that person on board. Turns out, the role of Gemma was written with Katey Sagal in mind. She would eventually get the part and play the role to perfection on the small screen.
5 The Show Ran Into Issues Due To Violence And Language
Fans of Sons of Anarchy are no doubt aware of the fact that the show is more adult in nature than many other shows on the small screen, and getting things past the censors is no easy feat. While making the show, the folks behind the cameras often ran into issues due to the show’s language and violence.
4 All Of David Labrava's Tattoos Are Real
It is not often that a performer comes primed and ready for a specific role, but David Labrava was just too good of a fit for his character. Not only was he already part of the Hells Angels, but he was already covered in tattoos. This must have made the transition an easy one.
3 Ron Perlman Was Afraid Of His Harley
It might sound silly to say, but one of the lead bikers on the series was afraid of his motorcycle. Actors are playing pretend, and Ron Perlman did one heck of a job, considering that he admitted to being afraid of his Harley. No one out there would have ever suspected this.
2 Venus Van Dam Was Trans Thanks To Walton Goggins
Walton Goggins has been around the block a time or two, and most people can recognize him from at least one of his projects. Goggins wanted to hop aboard and take part in the series, and he was the one that convinced the writers to allow Venus Van Dam to be a trans character.
1 Charlie Hunnam Rode Around In Sneakers, Not Boots
Many people assumed the bikers like to hop on their hogs and roll around in boots, but this is not always the case. Charlie Hunnam was known to wear sneakers while riding his bike on the series, and we can only imagine how many people started doing this after seeing the show.