Poldark star Aidan Turner covers his body after saying he has had enough of shirtless scenes

The BBC series had come in for criticism last season for 'gratuitous' scenes that seemed to 'objectify' the actor
UPDATED FEB 26, 2020
Aidan Turner (Getty Images)
Aidan Turner (Getty Images)

Aidan Turner seems to be standing by his words about covering up his body as his latest picture from season four of Poldark showed him covering his body by wearing a white shirt.

The BBC series had come in for criticism last season for "gratuitous" scenes that seemed to "objectify" the actor.

The actor, who promised that the latest season will be the 'sexiest yet,' might have disappointed many of his fans with his covering up. The viewers of the show are used to seeing him topless and girls have always been crazy about his toned body but looks like they will get to see very little of that in the latest season. 

These developments come after Aiden opposed the idea of going shirtless unless the scene asked for it. He believed that the showrunners were sliding away from how his character is in the book in order to increase the ratings.

"They were trying to make me take another dip in the sea this time, but it’s not in the books,” he said in an interview with The Mirror. 

“It was in the books last time, but this time if it’s not in the books, I have a good fight not to do things. And I’m certainly fighting the cause to keep my clothes on for this one.” 

At the same time, he expressed his disappointment with BBC when they released a set image of one of the scything scenes. 

"I don't know why the BBC is releasing photos of it. It's a bit strange. It's not a stripper show," he said at that time. Even though Aidan's looks and toned body is admired by many he admitted that there is a lot of work that goes into keeping it that way. 

"When I finished Poldark last time, I shot a movie where I very much kept my clothes on, so I wasn't training," he recalled. 

"Then when I came back, I did the Agatha Christie gig and there was a scene where I had to take my clothes off, so I started training again. It’s not that I’m obsessed, but if I feel it's right for the character I go for it."

While Aidan does not like the idea of his character going shirtless so often, he does believe his toned physique is an accurate reflection of how his character should be.  "It wasn't a vanity thing. I just imagined Ross would look like this," he said. "He's a strong guy. He works a lot in the fields. He wouldn't have eaten a lot at the time.

Meanwhile, people on social media also expressed their thoughts on this. "I find this degrading towards men. We are not sex objects," one user commented. "It's a shame those same people who say it's draft are the ones outraged when it's a topless woman instead," another noted. 

Following this, the showrunners came forward and stated that the upcoming episode of the show will see less of shirtless Aiden as the scenes are set in autumn. TV writer Debbie Horsfield reminded viewers "autumn is very chilly in Cornwall" while adding that protagonist Ross Poldark "won’t be doing any in that".

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

John Oliver was bleeped out twice during his brief, 15-second Emmys acceptance speech on live television after he roasted host Nate Bargatze
Sep 15, 2025
Kevin Hart doesn't appreciate paparazzi’s question after viral video of him hosting Diddy’s party resurfaces
Apr 6, 2025
Diddy’s childhood friend Tim Patterson claims Janice Combs’s wild parties often involved pimps, homosexuals, and other adult activities
Apr 6, 2025
Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson tied the knot in 1994, but she initially thought the King of Pop was a creep—and we totally get why
Apr 6, 2025
Riley Keough opens up about the Presley family curse in a candid interview while on tour for her book, 'From Here to the Great Unknown'
Apr 5, 2025
Natalie Morales hits back after her interview with Seth Meyers is removed from all platforms due to a revealing outfit
Apr 5, 2025
"Babyface, can you believe she wants me to dress like a girl?" Michael Jackson told a producer.
Apr 2, 2025
Sofia Vergara also dished out on why she doesn't ever want to play Modern Family's Gloria again
Apr 2, 2025
"It took more and more to get high, and I honestly don't know when your body decides it can't deal with it anymore," Lisa Marie Presley wrote.
Apr 1, 2025
A family member's last-minute intervention saved Michael Jackson from the 9/11 tragedy—here’s what happened
Apr 1, 2025