The Hot Priest Renaissance Is Real And Josh O’Connor Is Leading The Service
“I grew up in Irish Catholic tradition… I was an altar boy when I was eight years old and I was kicked off for smiling too much.”
That is Josh O’Connor explaining his religious background in an interview with Gayety. The British actor now plays a priest in Wake Up Dead Man, the latest instalment in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out franchise. And the internet has feelings about it.
hot priest josh o’connor will save me pic.twitter.com/yzdDvMNy7e
— ۟ (@mikefaist) November 17, 2025
He is not technically playing a “hot priest” but let’s be honest.
O’Connor’s character may not fit that exact description in the plot. But this is Josh O’Connor. He could play a disgruntled barista and still make confession sound appealing. The fact that he is acting opposite Andrew Scott only adds to the moment. Scott, of course, set the standard for clerical charm in Fleabag Season 2.
O’Connor also shared his current spiritual views. “I feel agnostic enough that I can believe in something. And I dunno what that is… humanity or trees and plants. But yeah, I believe something.”
Handsome and introspective? At DNA, we can appreciate that.
Josh O'Connor as Father Jud Duplenticy in WAKE UP DEAD MAN pic.twitter.com/dvPYQncUaz
— Netflix (@netflix) November 18, 2025
Rome’s annual calendar of photogenic priests is still going strong.
While Hollywood casts charming actors in clerical roles, Rome has been doing something similar for over two decades. The Calendario Romano, a calendar featuring real priests, has been a fixture since the early 2000s.
The 2026 edition is now available. According to its official website, the calendar is described as “an information tool aimed at the tourist public… giving general information on the Vatican City.”
Information is one word for it.
She doesn't know it yet, but one lucky lady among my friends is getting this HOT PRIESTS calendar for Christmas. Complete 'with historical notes about the Vatican.' pic.twitter.com/09uZLpn4lA
— Lucy Worsley (@Lucy_Worsley) October 24, 2025
A moment of faith and acceptance.
Good Morning America (GMA) anchor Gio Benitez recently made headlines for a different reason. He was confirmed in the Catholic faith as an openly gay man, with his husband Tommy DiDario standing beside him as his sponsor.
The ceremony took place at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Manhattan, home to Out at St. Paul, an LGBTQIA+ affirming ministry. Benitez shared the moment on Instagram, calling it an emotional and long-awaited expression of his faith.
He credited the late Pope Francis and Fr. James Martin, SJ (Society of Jesus), for helping him feel seen within the church. Fr. Martin is a Jesuit priest and author known for his work on LGBTQIA+ Catholic ministry.
Benitez wrote: “It was the first time I had seen a Catholic priest speaking in such a beautiful way about LGBTQ people.”
His confirmation marked the continuation of a path that began with his baptism at 15, followed by years of questioning and, ultimately, acceptance.
So what does this all mean?
Josh O’Connor in a collar. Andrew Scott still holding the crown. A calendar of priests that refuses to fade into obscurity. And real stories of faith and identity finding common ground.
Maybe society is ready to see humour, faith, and queerness coexist in unexpected ways. We are certainly paying attention.
Forgive us, Father, for we have thirsted.
