Game of Thrones' Aidan Gillen reveals he approached Queer As Folk creator Russell T Davies for 20-year reunion episode

AIDAN Gillen has revealed that he reached out to Queer As Folk creator Russell T Davies for a 20-year reunion episode.

The Game of Thrones star shot to fame playing Stuart Jones on the groundbreaking Channel 4 series in 1999, which has maintained a cult following over the last two decades despite only ever airing 10 episodes.

And in an exclusive interview with The Sun Online, 50-year-old Aidan has admitted that he was keen to mark the series' milestone anniversary in February, giving fresh hope for fans for the future.

The actor admitted that he wasn't sure whether his co-stars, Craig Kelly [who played Stuart's best friend Vince Tyler], and Charlie Hunnam [Stuart's love interest, Nathan Maloney] were keen for the project – but he is eager to revisit his own character.

Aidan told us: "I got in touch with Russell Davies and said it could be quite interesting to examine what's happened, not just to these people but generally over the last 20 years through the eyes of these characters.

"You can never be sure what Craig or Charlie would be up for or up to, but certainly through the eyes of someone like Stuart, who has got a wry eye."

Unfortunately, the conversation with Russell did not appear to be successful this time around.

Aidan continued: "He said it would be something we would talk about… But we didn't really talk about it much more."

The Irish star went on to add that he would be keen to play Stuart again if the script was good enough, and when asked how he thought Stuart would be now he coyly replied: "Probably not the same… But probably not that different.

"I think we saw him grow up a little bit."

Queer As Folk was revolutionary for its time, breaking taboos as it followed the lives of three gay men living in Manchester in the late '90s.

The series shocked viewers with its graphic depiction of gay sex – particularly between Aidan's 30-year-old character and 15-year-old schoolboy Nathan.

When asked if he thought the show would be more or less controversial if it were to air in 2019, Aidan admitted that the age gap was the only element that show-runners couldn't get away with now.

He said: "I think it definitely did break down barriers at the time, but once it has done that you change the game a bit and you are old-fashioned immediately.

"You can do anything in television now.

"[But the age gap] probably wouldn't happen."

Aidan is not the first Queer As Folk cast member to share his enthusiasm for a reunion, with the actor's 38-year-old co-star Charlie previously telling The Sun that he would also love to reprise his role.

He said at the time: "I'd be game for a reunion.

"It's a long time ago, I'm an old b*****d now – that was 20 years ago."

The hunk was reunited with Aidan for 2017 film King Arthur, and he admitted that when he saw his co-star on set he had to thank him for the guidance he'd offered at the start of his career.

Charlie, who was just 19 when he filmed Queer As Folk, explained: "I always felt like I owed him a grand debt of gratitude. I really thanked him for the impact he had on me.

"He thought I was mad but I felt it deeply.

"It was the beginning of my career, so I have very fond memories of it."

Both men have enjoyed a lucrative acting career since the show aired, with Aidan starring in hit shows such as Game Of Thrones, Peaky Blinders, The Wire, and Love/ Hate.

He currently appears as Dr. Allen Hynek in SyFy show Project Blue Book, which is based on the true investigations into UFOs in the 1950s.

Aidan previously told us that it was playing evil Littlefinger in fantasy series Game Of Thrones that encouraged him to sign up for his new role, explaining: "Playing the good guy is something I was actively looking to do after spending a number of years playing a villain, or at least a malevolent yet charming character, on Game of Thrones.

"I have played a lot of nice people before but it is the villains that people seem to have noticed."

Project Blue Book airs on Wednesdays at 9pm on SYFY UK

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