Let's be honest. When King Arthur: Legend of the Sword hit theaters back in 2017, nobody was really talking about the historical accuracy of the round table. We were all staring at Charlie Hunnam’s head. Specifically, that rugged, "I just fought a giant snake but my hair still looks incredible" vibe. The charlie hunnam king arthur haircut became an instant mood board staple for men who wanted something sharper than a buzz cut but less high-maintenance than a full-on man bun.
It’s a look that shouldn’t work. It’s anachronistic. It’s basically a modern street style dropped into the middle of Londinium. But on Hunnam? It’s iconic.
What Actually Is This Haircut?
Most people call it an undercut, but that’s a bit of a simplification. It’s technically a slicked-back, medium-length undercut style with short back and sides. In the film, it’s got this wet, textured appearance that makes him look perpetually drenched in either rain or sweat. Or both.
The top is where the magic happens. You’re looking at roughly 4 to 6 inches of length on top. That’s enough to pull it all the way back without it flopping into the eyes, but not so much that it becomes a ponytail. The sides are tight—usually a number 2 or 3 guard—but importantly, they aren't always faded. In many shots, there is a clear, disconnected "shelf" between the short sides and the long top.
How to Talk to Your Barber
Don't just show a blurry screenshot and hope for the best.
Ask for a disconnected undercut. Tell your barber you want to keep the length on top for a slick-back, but the sides need to be short—somewhere between a #2 and a #4. If you want the more modern, "civilian" version, you can ask them to blend the sides with a taper or a low fade. However, if you want the "born from the mud" Arthurian look, keep it unblended.
Make sure they don't take the top too short. If you lose the length at the crown, the hair will stick up like a cockatoo instead of laying flat against the back of your head.
Quick Specs for the Chair:
- The Top: 4-5 inches, textured at the ends.
- The Sides: Number 2 or 3 guard.
- The Transition: Disconnected (no blending) for the movie look; tapered for a cleaner office look.
- The Back: Squared off or natural, depending on your neck shape.
Why This Style Works (and Who It’s For)
Honestly, this cut is a godsend for guys with thick, slightly wavy hair. Charlie Hunnam has a naturally strong jawline and a square face shape, which the height of the slick-back complements perfectly.
If you have a very round face, the volume on top actually helps elongate your features. If you have a receding hairline, though, be careful. Slicking everything back is basically a spotlight for your forehead. In that case, you might want to ask for a bit more texture and let it fall slightly to the side rather than straight back.
Styling: From "Just Woke Up" to "Legendary King"
In the movie, they probably just sprayed him with water every ten minutes. Real life is different. You can't walk around with a spray bottle.
To get the charlie hunnam king arthur haircut texture, you need a high-shine, medium-hold product. A water-based pomade is your best friend here. It gives you that "wet" look without the crunchiness of 90s hair gel.
- Start with damp hair. Not soaking, just towel-dried.
- Apply a sea salt spray. This is the "secret sauce" for that grit and volume.
- Blow-dry the hair back using your fingers or a vent brush. Don't use a round brush unless you want to look like a 1950s greaser.
- Scoop a dime-sized amount of pomade. Warm it up in your palms.
- Rake it through from front to back.
- Finish with a tiny bit of hairspray if you’re worried about the wind, but the goal is for it to look like it could move, even if it doesn't.
The Maintenance Reality
It’s not a "set it and forget it" style. You’ll need a trim every 3 to 4 weeks to keep the sides from looking fuzzy. The top can grow out for a while, but once the sides lose their sharp contrast, the "King Arthur" vibe turns into "The Dude" from The Big Lebowski pretty quickly.
Also, wash your hair. Using pomade and sea salt spray every day creates a lot of buildup. A clarifying shampoo once a week will prevent your scalp from getting irritated.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on this look, start by growing your hair out. You need that 4-inch minimum on top before the cut will even work. While you’re growing it, use a light grooming cream to keep it manageable. Once you’ve got the length, find a barber who specializes in traditional men's cuts or "scumbag fades"—they usually have the best hand for the disconnected undercut style.
Buy a bottle of sea salt spray today. Even if you haven't had the cut yet, it’ll give you a feel for the texture Hunnam rocks. When you finally hit the chair, bring a high-res photo of Hunnam from the Entertainment Weekly cover shoot—it shows the sides and the top much clearer than the dark, moody movie posters.
