Jamie Dornan may replace Charlie Hunnam in 'Fifty Shades of Grey'.

The British actor - who is best known for his roles in TV shows 'Once Upon a Time' and 'The Fall' - is emerging as the hot favourite to play Christian Grey in Universal's adaptation of E.L. James' erotic novel and sources claim he has already been approached by studio boss Donna Langley.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Dornan and fellow British actor Christian Cooke were in line for the role along with Hunnam, but the studio ultimately opted for Hunnam as he was the ''bigger name''.

The actor confirmed his departure from the movie over the weekend and it's reported that Langley approached Dornan just before the announcement was made.

No formal offer has been made to the 31-year-old hunk, who currently stars alongside Gillian Anderson in British TV thriller 'The Fall', in which he plays a terrifying serial killer.

It was reported earlier this week that Hunnam quit the movie because he got ''cold feet'' about carrying the saucy franchise due to the ''media and fan frenzy'' that followed his casting.

Dakota Johnson is still expected to play leading lady Anastasia Steele in the Sam Taylor-Johnson directed feature.