- Neil Patrick Harris shared his views on heterosexual actors playing gay characters in The Times.
- Harris, 47, did not object to the idea and said he would like to hire the best actor for the role.
- “They’re not there to ‘act like gay’ because ‘acting like gay’ is a lot of code for a performance. It’s about authenticity, the taste of 2020,” he said.
- Visit the Insider home page for more stories.
Neil Patrick Harris officially considered whether heterosexual actors should be cast as LGBTQ characters.
Harris, 47, became outspoken about the ongoing debate while talking to The Times about his next series on Channel 4, “It’s a Sin”.
The series, by showrunner Russell T. Davies, revolves around a group of gay men who experienced the AIDS epidemic in London in the 1980s. The series features an all-gay male ensemble.
“I’m not the type to skip labeling. As an actor, you certainly expect to be a visible option for all kinds of different roles,” Harris, who shares twins with husband David Burtka, told The Times.
“I played a character [in How I Met Your Mother] for nine years it was nothing like me. I would definitely like to hire the best actor, “added Harris.
Harris’ comments were in response to comments made by Davies, who, in addition to “It’s a Sin”, created the TV series “Queer as Folk” and “Years and Years”.
Harris mentioned playing Barney Stinson in “How I Met Your Mother” in his comments.
CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images
Davies told the Radio Times that he believed that only gay actors should look for jobs as gay actors.
“I’m not being agreed on that … but I feel strongly that if I launch someone into a story, I’m scaling them to act like a lover or an enemy or someone who is drugged or a criminal or a saint,” said Davies.
“They’re not there to ‘act like gay’ because ‘acting like gay’ is a lot of code for a performance. It’s about authenticity, the taste of 2020,” he said.
Davies added that “You wouldn’t throw someone healthy and put them in a wheelchair, you wouldn’t make someone black. Authenticity is taking us to happy places.”
During Harris ‘interview, he told The Times that he was a huge fan of Davies’ “Queer as Folk” series as he grew up. The series had heterosexual actors mainly playing the main gay characters.
“It was one of the real turning points for me as examples of sexy guys behaving as protagonists in something important, not comical companions,” said the “How I Met Your Mother” star.
“I think there is something sexy about choosing a heterosexual actor to play a gay role, if they are willing to invest a lot in it. There is a nervousness that comes with the novelty of everything. To declare that you would never do that, you may miss opportunities” , he said.
According to Harris, he will continue to play heterosexual characters as well.
“In our world that we live in, you can’t really, as a director, demand that [an actor be gay or straight]. Who will determine how gay a person is? “, He said.
Other celebrities shared their thoughts on acting in the casting
Conversations around the subject have grown in recent years, as more and more actors offer their opinion.
Last November, Kristen Stewart told Variety that there was a “gray area” when it came to heterosexual actors playing gay characters.
“I would never like to tell a story that should really be told by someone who has lived through that experience,” she told the publication.
“Having said that, it’s a slippery conversation because it means that I could never play another straight character if I’m going to demand that everyone comply with the letter of this particular law,” added Stewart.
Darren Criss, who played gays in “Glee” and “The Murder of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, ” said he would no longer play LGBTQ roles in 2018.
“There are certain [queer] The roles that I will see are just wonderful, “said Criss to Bustle.” But I want to make sure that I am no longer a straight boy playing a gay man. “
British actor Richard E. Grant told The Times in 2019 that he believed that only gay actors should be cast in these roles.
“Does the transgender movement and the #MeToo movement mean how you can justify heterosexual actors by playing gay characters? We are at a historic moment. If you want someone to play a handicapped person, that person must be a handicapped actor, ”he said.
The LGBTQ filmmakers who spoke to Jacob Sarkisian of Insider said that “it’s all about respect.”