Michelle Williams strips for Marilyn Monroe shoot

Michelle Williams has stripped to her underwear for a saucy photoshoot inspired by Marilyn Monroe.

The Hollywood actress has won critical acclaim and a Golden Globe award for her portrayal of the blonde bombshell in My Week With Marilyn, and she has now channelled the late screen icon's sexy side in a seductive new shoot for Britain's GQ magazine.

Williams is seen posing in her underwear, wearing a blonde wig and Monroe's signature red lipstick.

In the accompanying interview, the star admits her role in teen drama Dawson's Creek initially discouraged her from showing off her sexy side.

She says, "I wouldn't say that that would be one of my first qualities as a human being... being sexy. And I think because my character on Dawson's Creek was sexy... sexualised... sexual. I saw all the negative attention and connotations that can come along with that. And that those things can keep people from seeing you clearly."