Dominic West
Dominic West to play 'a gay guy who sings I Will Survive in front of a group of Welsh mine workers' in BBC film, Pride.

Dominic West is preparing to play a gay activist in upcoming film, Pride.

The Wire star will put his singing skills to the test in the BBC comedy-drama, which celebrates the bravery of gay and lesbian activists who campaigned to support striking miners in 1984.

The role, which is new territory for the 44-year-old British actor, will see him sing I Will Survive in front of a group of Welsh mine workers during their bitter fightback against Margaret Thatcher's sweeping pit closures.

West will join a host of actors including Tom Hanks and Matt Damon who switched their sexuality for television or a feature film.

IBTimes UK has a look at a few stars who successfully made the transition to on-screen LGBT characters.

1. Jim Carrey - I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)

Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey (R) played a gay compulsive liar, and conman in I Love You Phillip Morris.

2. Sean Penn - Milk (2008)

Sean Penn
In 2008 biopic Milk, Sean Penn starred as gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California.

3. Matt Damon - Behind The Candelabra (2013)

Matt Damon
Matt Damon played Scott Thorson, the gay lover of legendary pianist Liberace in HBO bipic Behind the Candelabra.

4. Tom Hanks - Philadelphia (1993)

Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks plays a closeted homosexual lawyer Andrew Beckett who contracts HIV.

5. Heath Ledger - Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger plays Ennis Del Mar, a sheep herder who starts secret relationship with another man in the backwoods of Wyoming.

And finally...

6. Hilary Swank - Boys Don't Cry (1999)

Boys Don't Cry
Hilary Swank's role as Brandon Teena was iconic for the the lesbian and gay community. She played a pre-op transgender man who is savagely murdered.
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