Actor Darren Criss, who this month won a Golden Globe for his role as a gay character in The Assassination of Gianni Versace, has vowed no longer to accept LGBTQ+ scripts. The reason: He doesn’t want to deprive gay actors of roles.
So is this the right thing to do? He has won multiple awards and gained huge acclaim from playing two gay characters, and that now means he has the luxury of choosing the roles he accepts next.
Yet, I feel the criticism he has received from some quarters is misplaced; he is trying to make a change for the better. Another case was the backlash Disney faced after announcing its first openly gay character (hooray) but then cast the straight comic Jack Whitehall in the role.
For years, straight people have received acclaim for playing gay characters, but the reverse has hardly ever happened. It’s frustrating for any actor to be pigeonholed - now imagine not even being allowed to play yourself. LGBTQ+ artists are not getting the same opportunities and aren’t celebrated in the same way. Representation matters and casting is the most visible opportunity for change.
At drama school, I was told to remove my earring and act ‘straight’ to get work. I went the other way writing queer plays, directing and producing queer work. The things I’d been told to lose – my sexuality, working class background, regional accent – were what made my plays come alive.
The question of whether gay roles should be played by gay actors is just as relevant in theatre currently. Matthew Lopez, writer of the acclaimed gay themed show The Inheritance, revealed the three lead gay characters were played by heterosexual actors.
This is nuanced by the fact the play’s writer, director, Stephen Daldry and producer David Lan are all gay or bisexual. Still, there are consequences to the piece being delivered through the lens of straight men.
Lopez says they were the best actors for the job. But why are the best people almost always straight? No one wants to land a role through tokenism, but I believe LGBTQ+ actors can bring more to the table.
Queer people are used to playing it straight to fit in, while straight people have not necessarily encountered the queer experience. LGBTQ+ artists can offer an authentic, nuanced understanding of the themes, as well as novel insights into human experience.
I have two plays opening and they involve emerging gay, bi and trans actors, enriching the work as a result. But can we advertise for LGBTQ+ actors? Is it ethical to discuss an actor’s sexual and gender identity? Can bisexuals play gay? Can non-binary play trans? Can someone identify as queer and not actually have had a gay experience?
The truth is: we need all of it. We need all things explored from all perspectives. Until we achieve that, Criss playing it gay feels like a loss.
I do not think Criss stepping aside is the ideal, long-term solution. But for now, his words might just create space for LGBTQ+ talent, whilst bringing the conversation back into the forefront. Now it’s up to us to take control of the narrative.