Culture

William Shatner says Alexander Skarsgård’s kinky gay film Pillion taught him about homosexuality

Oct 12
Written by Sian Thompson

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The Star Trek star praised Pillion, the erotic drama starring Skarsgård and Harry Melling (Getty Images)

William Shatner has said Alexander Skarsgård’s erotic drama Pillion gave him “an insight” into “the world of homosexuality” and “the intricacies” of relationships between men.

Speaking on a Dropping Names podcast episode, the 95-year-old actor described the film in blunt terms: “It’s two gay guys. It’s Alexander Skarsgård. It’s the most incredible movie. The world of homosexuality I’m not familiar with. Are you?”

Shatner went on to argue that the film reveals dynamics many viewers would not recognise otherwise. “You’re not aware unless [you’ve] seen that movie. You wouldn’t be aware of the intricacies of the relationships,” he said.

What is Pillion about?

Shatner made the comments during a conversation that also featured Star Trek actors Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes.

BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 20: Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgard attend the — BERLIN, GERMANY – MARCH 20: Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgard attend the “Pillion” special screening at Kino International on March 20, 2026 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Tristar Media/Getty Image (Getty Images)

Directed by British filmmaker Harry Lighton, Pillion is a 2025 erotic drama about Colin (Harry Melling), a timid gay man whose erotic awakening begins when he is picked up by Ray (Skarsgård), an American biker involved in the BDSM community.

Shatner repeatedly framed the film as a window into a world he said he “never knew existed”, returning to the idea that it helped him understand intimacy between men.

“It’s so incredible to have an insight into a group of people whose passions — I’m talking about the push in the face, is like discarding you. Sometimes the relationship between two guys is that way. And they centre on that in the movie,” Shatner said.

Shatner’s Neil deGrasse Tyson ‘shove’ anecdote

While discussing Pillion, Shatner referenced a specific moment with his friend Neil deGrasse Tyson during publicity for a show they were working on. Shatner said Tyson put his hand in Shatner’s face and shoved him backwards, which he then connected to what he felt he had seen in Pillion.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 17: Neil deGrasse Tyson and William Shatner attend the — NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 17: Neil deGrasse Tyson and William Shatner attend the “William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill” New York screening at Alice Tully Hall on March 17, 2024 in New York City. (P (Getty Images)

Shatner and Tyson have worked together on live shows and the audio project Cosmos Confidential. Despite the moment of physical spontaneity that inspired the conversation, Shatner spoke warmly about his friend.

He described Tyson as “a superior human being”, praising his intelligence and physical abilities. Shatner noted that Tyson had danced in a ballet, performed in a men’s exotic dance club and competed as a champion wrestler.

The conversation also turned to Shatner’s own creative pursuits. Recalling the 2009 documentary William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet, which followed the creation of a ballet performance set to music by the actor, Frakes asked Shatner who the project reminded him of.