Josh O’Connor says the Challengers characters are ‘all fluid’

Actor Josh O'Connor, known for his role in "God's Own Country," shared his perspective on the sexuality of his character in the upcoming film "Challengers."

Starring alongside Zendaya and Mike Faist, O'Connor portrays Patrick, a tennis player entangled in a fiery love triangle with Faist's character, Art. When asked about the sexual orientation of their characters, O'Connor responded, "Yeah, I think... they're all fluid. I think they all kind of love each other and they're figuring that out and trying to understand where that plays out and how it plays out."

In the past, O'Connor has likened the tennis scenes in "Challengers" to sex scenes, emphasizing the intimacy and tension present on the court. Writer Justin Kuritzkes, discussing the love triangle, highlighted the importance of portraying love and jealousy among all characters, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

Kuritzkes also noted the homoerotic undertones inherent in tennis and sports in general, describing the dynamic of facing off against an opponent across the net as inherently charged with tension.

"Challengers" is set to hit UK cinemas on April 26th, offering audiences a nuanced exploration of relationships and desire on and off the tennis court.