While we all look forward to a world where no actor has to even consider whether playing gay might have an effect on their career, we’re not there yet. While we’ve seen an increasing amount of straight actors playing gay with no problems, the issue is potentially different for openly gay actors, some of whom worry about getting pigeon-holed into LGBT roles if they play gay on-screen.
It seems it’s something gay actor Russell Tovey (Being Human, The History Boys, Him & Her, Doctor Who) thinks about, particularly as he’s managed avoid being stereotyped, despite being out and proud in his personal life. Talking to The Independent, the 31-year old says, “Every character I play is straight, which is unique, my agent says, because it’s not really been done before that someone who is completely out is able to play straight roles.”
He’s not against playing a gay character, but it would have to be something special. Tovey says, “So for me to play gay it has to be something special, because it might actually be more of a risk. So I’m waiting for that role – I want it to be something that moves things forward.”
To be honest, Tovey is now well established enough that it shouldn’t make any difference about the sexuality of any character he plays, although it does go to show the pressure actors still feel they’re under when it comes to sexuality, and that some gay actors still worry they’ll get boxed into a corner if casting directors begin seeing them purely as ‘the gay one’.
And whether he plays a gay character or not, he has a massive gay fanbase – indeed, he seems to be everybody’s favourite fantasy boyfriend on gay Tumblr blogs.
Tovey was talking ahead of the screening of his new UK sitcom, The Job Lot, which started on ITV last Monday.
Leave a Reply (if comment does not appear immediately, it may have been held for moderation)