Co Down's Dornan to play Christian Grey in '50 Shades' movie

'Fifty Shades Of Grey' has its male lead – again.

Jamie Dornan has been cast as Christian Grey, the lead role that Charlie Hunnam withdrew from recently.

Dornan will star alongside female lead Dakota Johnson, with Sam Taylor-Johnson directing.

Shooting is planned to begin in November, with a release in August next year.

Hunnam’s departure left the project momentarily reeling. The big-screen adaption of EL James’s best-selling erotic novel has been carefully followed by its fans, who were critical of Hunnam’s casting.

The 31-year-old Dornan, a former model from Holywood in Co Down, is relatively unknown. He has starred in the British TV series 'The Fall' and the ABC series 'Once Upon A Time'.

Unlike with Hunnam, social media reaction to Dornan’s casting was generally positive.