Dev Patel laughs about topless scene

Dev Patel has no idea why he was chosen to film a topless scene for TV show The Newsroom.

The second season of the HBO show will see his nerdy character go topless in an on-screen romp. Modest Dev jokes that he is baffled as to why he was picked for the semi-nude scenes over his hunkier male co-stars.

"In one part, there's a shot of Neal rolling around in bed with a girl and he has to stop and grab his phone when news breaks," Dev told the Los Angeles Times. "Of all the good-looking men on the show, [Sorkin] wanted me topless in the bed."

Dev has been hailed as a gifted comedian by directors he has worked with in the past. The Slumdog Millionaire actor has a rare ability to appeal to a wide range of viewers in whatever role he plays.

The likeable 22-year-old has managed to maintain a refreshingly down to earth attitude despite starring in movies like Slumdog and Marigold Hotel. Dev admits he prepared for his role in Aaron Sorkin's political show by turning to Google and Wikipedia.

"I'm not intelligent enough for this show," Dev laughed and admitted he was a techno-phoebe and social networking amateur before he joined the cast.

"That's how I learned about American politics, Wikipedia. Every night."