Frankie J. Alvarez knows you don’t like Agustin, the character he plays on Looking, HBO’s half-hour dramedy about a trio of San Francisco-based gay besties (Jonathan Groff, Murray Bartlett and Alvarez). While viewers focused their positive attention on the love triangle between Patrick (Groff), Kevin (Russell Tovey) and Richie (Raúl Castillo), much of their scorn was directed at Alvarez’s character, an often-misguided struggling artist. Alvarez understands why. During season one Agustin tricked his boyfriend Frank into having sex with a hooker, accused Patrick of slumming with Richie and generally caused everyone close to him no end of misery. It was almost cathartic to witness Frank give him his walking papers in the season one finale. But change might be in the air for Agustin. Season two (premiering on HBO January 11) will introduce an unexpected new love interest — a bear named Eddie (played by Mean Girl‘s Daniel Franzese) — who will presumably call him out on his sometimes aberrant behavior. Alvarez chatted with Queerty about why viewers are challenged by his character, shopping at sex stores with his costars and how the series will address HIV prevention.
When I watch Looking I’m reminded of watching Sex and the City 15 years ago when my friends and I wondered if the writers were eavesdropping on our private conversations.
We’ve had experiences — me, Murray and Jonathan — where we’ll read a script and think, Oh my God! That happened to us. We had that conversation! There’s a scene coming up in the third episode where Augustin and Patrick go shopping for an enema. We had a similar experience when Jonathan asked me to go to a sex store with him to buy a certain product and we had a similar conversation and similar experience so it was eerie. I’m glad you said that. That’s the goal of the show — to be as real as possible.
During the season one finale Agustin got dumped — deservedly, some would say — by Frank, who told him that he didn’t know who he really is. Do you agree with that assessment of your character?
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I think that is true and those words from Frank echo in the depths of Agustin’s soul. From the start of season two until the final frame that conversation is really debilitating. When we pick up with Agustin it’s been 6-8 weeks since that event and he’s just as aimless as when we left him. He’s drinking a lot, doing a lot of drugs, and he still doesn’t have a job. Thankfully Patrick has taken him back in. They go away to the woods for the weekend partly to clean up Agustin’s act. It takes a lot more than that throughout the season. In the first season his sense of self is tied to his art so when his art is taken away — and rightfully so — he’s left with nothing. And there’s no better place to start from and to build from and through his new job and this friendship/romance with Eddie he starts to open up. Maybe people will see that this is the guy that Patrick went to college with when they first became friends. You’ll see another side of him and hopefully be pleasantly surprised.
You mentioned Agustin’s drug use. I’ve noticed that he’s been found on the sidewalk in a chemically-enhanced state twice so far.
[Laughs] I think obviously the drugs are a tool to forget. The pressure of disappointing his boyfriend and hurting his friends and the trail of brokenness that he left behind has crushed him and he doesn’t really know how to deal with his emotions. There’s a lot of bravado that’s covering a lot of fear. The drugs are a great way to forget. He starts to pick himself up from it and Daniel’s character Eddie is so much fun. The chemistry we had really comes through and the writers were excited about it and ended up writing more stuff for us. It was fun to stumble into that and it has a positive affect on Agustin.
He did some despicable things during season one. Why is he prone to being such a bitch?
As an actor I try not to judge who he is. I just think what is it he wants and how does he go about it. With somebody like that he makes bold choices but they’re not always thought out. They don’t come from a malicious place. He’s not twirling his mustache thinking, I can’t wait to hurt my boyfriend and fuck with my friends. I think he hurts their feelings and then realizes the repercussions of his actions. That’s the big thing in season two. He’s starting to become aware of how his actions can become destructive to his relationships. He’s really making an effort to be a better friend and be better in his relationship with mixed results. It’s a learning process and he’s definitely going through it in the second season.
A lot of viewers find Agustin to be very unlikeable, but I see him as a guy who just always acts on his worst impulses, which people do in real life even if they don’t want to admit it.
I’ve gone out with the guys to events and so many people come up to us and tell us they love the show and a lot of them, when they’re talking to Raul or Jonathan, they say “Oh my God, I’m just like you.” No one ever says, “I’m just like Agustin.” A lot of them people will say “I have a friend who’s just like Agustin.” It wouldn’t surprise me if some of them are making up that friend and it’s really them. It’s tough when you see yourself in that character, but I think that’s what’s so beautiful about him. He’s out there. I’ve met him out dancing in the Castro. I think it’s great that he’s provoking a strong reaction. He’s a real guy. He’s one of those friends who are always struggling a bit, but there are positives to him. You need him to be real with you.
Do you play the character just as he’s written or have you been able to incorporate some of your own characteristics?
In the second season I bring more of myself to the character. I’m a playful, mischievous guy and I think with the relationship with Eddie we were able to bring some of that out in Agustin. I think that’s good for him and it fleshes him out. Certainly as an actor I can identify with his sense of fear and wanting to succeed. I have healthier ways of coping than Agustin does, but definitely the fear can cripple you or motivate you and right now he’s at a crossroads. I think it will be exciting for audiences to see which path he chooses.
In the episodes of season two I’ve watched Agustin becomes involved with someone who might surprise viewers. Does this relationship develop throughout the rest of the season?
Yeah. Eddie is a friend for a while and then a romance develops. I won’t go into it too much. It’s a really challenging, exciting relationship. They have a great system of checks and balances between each other. I think Agustin drops some truth bombs for Eddie and certainly Eddie puts Agustin in his place when he needs it. I think last year Frank had a tendency to support him until it was too much, but Eddie is more truthful and upfront and does say the tough things and it’s good for their relationship in the long run. It’s really beautiful. I’m excited for the bear community to see themselves in a character like Eddie. It was sad to speak with Danny about this. He told me that I was his first onscreen kiss. I’m glad that our show is on the forefront with this. That we’re not obsessed with cookie-cutter movie star looks. We’re trying to cast real people and tell real stories. Were trying to be as truthful to the nuances and the myriad of experiences within the gay community. There are so many parts that we can’t tell the whole story, but we’re trying our damnedest.
Were you aware of gay bears before the series?
I was aware. My mom was a ballerina while growing up and I danced a little bit. It was through that community that I got to know a lot of gay men and women. But as far as the categorization, that was new. I’ve learned the difference between a cub and a seal cub. It’s not part of the everyday vernacular so it was fun to navigate and learn. My wife got a kick out of it. She said, “Oh, you’re an otter!” [Laughs]
Last season Agustin and Richie were very adversarial, but that seems to change during season two. How will their relationship evolve?
There’s a really exciting scene coming up between the two of them, but I don’t want to give too much away. It’s a beautiful scene. Raul is an actor of tremendous grace and eloquence. He’s so truthful and he’s been acting for quite a while. I only graduated from grad school a couple of years ago so in many ways he’s been a big brother to me. I learn from him every day, especially the scenes with him and Jonathan. They’re two pros at the top of their game. They’re incredible. To finally get a chance to play a scene one on one with him was a real blessing. It was certainly one of the highlights of season two.
The friendship between the characters you and Jonathan and Murray play comes across as very authentic and natural on screen. How do you guys accomplish this?
It’s attributable to our real friendship off camera. Back when we tested in February of 2013 they were mixing and matching people and when the three of us read I remember making an offhand comment, “That was the dream team.” We chuckled about it, but sure enough they cast all three of us. We felt at ease. It starts with Jonathan, the way he leads us. He’s so generous and open. There are no divas in the bunch Everyone takes care of one another and we let each other shine in the moments where we’re supposed to shine. We know collectively as an ensemble that that’s the strength of the show. Nobody’s trying to get in front of the other to get more screen time. We love each other and these characters.
What would you guys do together when you weren’t filming?
We go to yoga together and to movies on the weekend and go dancing in the Castro. It’s insane how close friends we are. It was a new experience going back to San Francisco for season two after the first season had aired. We were mini-celebrities. We’d go out dancing and guys would buy us drinks and we’d get hit on and take selfies on the dance floor. It was cool. People really embraced us and the show. People feel a tremendous amount of pride for the show. They feel we’re showing parts of San Francisco that haven’t been seen on TV before. San Franciscans are really proud of their city and the fact that they feel we’re doing a good job is the ultimate affirmation.
Andrew [Haigh, the show’s producer-director] recently told Entertainment Weekly that you weren’t so good at canoeing. What was your experience like filming in Russian River?
[Laughs] First of all, when that interview came out he sent me an email apologizing. He said, “I told them Agustin wasn’t good at canoeing and it made it sound like you’re not outdoorsy.” I fake threw a tantrum at him. We all have a good sense of humor about that kind of stuff.
When I read it I just presumed you’re very urban.
[Laughs] Well, it’s definitely a character choice. Agustin isn’t an outdoorsy guy. He’s trying to get fucked up and forget his problems. All the stuff that Patrick is excited about, like seeing the oldest tree and canoeing, is just not his bag.
Without giving too much away, there’s a character who says he has a “House In Virginia” and another has what’s described as “AIDS hysteria.” Will the series tackle the debate over prevention drugs like Truvada?
All I will say is it’s a big plot point. It’s so perceptive of you that you picked up on that in the first couple of episodes because the writers are setting that up for later. That’s all I should say. We very much continue to be on the forefront of what it means to be a gay man or woman in today’s modern world. Obviously, issues of PrEP and Truvada certainly do come up multiple times throughout the season.
You’ve had to film some rather graphic gay sex scenes. What’s that like for a straight actor? I wonder how much of it is choreographed and how much of it is spontaneous between the actors.
I think it’s a mixture of both. Those scenes are already incredibly vulnerable and technical because of the way they’re shot. We’re trying to avoid showing certain body parts and still maximize the story’s potential so it ends up being pretty technical. I haven’t had a sex scene with a women yet so you’ll have to ask me next time. The circumstance of whether it’s gay, it becomes so technical that you’re not thinking about any attraction or nervousness for me as a straight man. Daniel was saying the same thing. There’s no romantic tension between us as actors. We’re not worried about what the other person is going to think. I’ve got a wife and I go home to my wife and that’s that so we can put aside any extra things that sometimes get in the way and just tell the story in the best possible way and respect each other in the process.
As a straight actor playing a gay character, what are some of the most ridiculous questions you’ve been asked? You’re welcome to include the last one I asked you.
Yeah, from a journalistic point of view it’s hard to think that I come to work and take my clothes off and have a sex scene, which is something that’s so intimate between two people. But for us, we’re approaching it from a storytelling point of view. What does Agustin want from the scene? When you invest in those things then the nervousness goes away. It’s always those questions. I just think it’s funny because this is my first big gig. I’ve never gotten to do a sex scene with Carey Mulligan or something so that would be a whole slew of other issues. I thought it was alarming during the first season to get all those questions but then I realized the the sex scenes are a big part of the show, so of course I’m going to get asked about it.
Milk
Please let this kind of question disappear in the future. Stop with the as a gay actor or as a straight actor. There’s only actor! If they can’t go through the scene of immerse in their roles as an actor, they fail! Why audition for a role if you are not capable of performing? Unlike gender, race and cultural differences, being gay and straight has very small margin of variation. The silliness that our society has make it such a big deal out of sexual orientation.
Cam
I think the author has it wrong in one area:
Viewers weren’t “Challenged” by Augstin, they responded to the fact that it was a poorly written, two dimensional character and there was no backstory that in any way explained why people would be friends with him.
There was never any examples of him acting in a friendly way, or a way that made him fun to be around, or anybody that added in any way to a group and yet he supposedly has these good friends. It made no sense because normally such a person would not have gotten the friends in the first place or been phased out of a group after people realized what type of guy he was.
As for the upcoming season where we are told………. “When we pick up with Agustin it’s been 6-8 weeks since that event and he’s just as aimless as when we left him. He’s drinking a lot, doing a lot of drugs, and he still doesn’t have a job Thankfully Patrick has taken him back in.”
Gee, great, another excuse for him to do nothing, act like an idiot, and moan.
I get what the “Looking” folks are trying to do with this character “Gee, everything isn’t great for everybody” but it is so poorly done with Augstin they should cut their losses and try it with a different character, or have Augstin have some success and behave as a more fully realized character.
Clark35
This show looks very stupid, and shows what’s wrong with the modern day urban gay white or latino male/wannabe masculine/bear type you find in SF and in most cities.
Geeker
How many characters on this show are played by straight guys?
Jeremy Kinser
@Geeker:
Frankie Alvarez, Raul Castillo and Scott Bakula are straight. Jonathan Groff, Murray Bartlett, Russell Tovey and Daniel Franzese are gay.
Stache99
@Clark35: You’re too late Clark. This has been called stupid ad nausiem in it’s first season. However, those same people actually changed their opinions by mid season.
So yeah, there’s those of us that actually like it allot. Nice of you to stop by and give us your opinion anyways.
robho3
For the life of me I don’t understand why this show was picked up for another season. The characters are one dimensional self absorbed pricks. The story lines is just rubbish. If this is the way gay men are in San Francisco then I’m glad I don’t live there. I don’t know why this web site even talks about the show- just because the characters are gay doesn’t mean we should watch it if its not a good show. I for one will not be watching season 2.
SteveDenver
I enjoyed that interview. I feel like I know more about Alvarez and he seemed very candid. So looking forward to SEASON TWO.
For all those who don’t like the show: THANK YOU for clicking on this link and leaving a comment, those are your votes in favor of MORE articles about “Looking.”
Cam
@SteveDenver:
Agreed, I think the fact that we can complain about certain things within the show is still better than watching most of the crap out there. And I’d rather have an imperfect gay show, than not have one!
enlightenone
@Milk: “Unlike gender, race and cultural differences, being gay and straight has very small margin of variation.”
“…very small margin of variation” IN RACE! Gender and ethnicity there is wider “variance” that is the attract for some. You can be of a different “RACE” and be culturally the SAME!!!!
enlightenone
@Cam: “…have AugUstin have some success and behave as a more fully realized character,” get rid of Jonathan, and BRING BACK FRANK!!!
OzJosh
@Cam: Really? Surely by now there are enough gay movies and gay TV shows readily available to download or watch on DVD? And there are now plenty of rounded, nuanced, interesting gay characters in various TV series and movies. Personally, I’d rather not have utter crap like Looking if it’s “imperfection” includes an entire cast of shallow, narcissistic, un-relatable characters. I can barely believe I’m saying this, but the hokey stereotypes of Modern Family actually do more good than Looking, as lame and offensive as they can be.
andy0529
If this show wasn’t on HBO it wouldn’t garner this much attention, especially since “Hunting Season” and “Hustling” are so much better than this “Girls” wannabe. It gets one thing right, the men of San Francisco are ugly on the inside and out, the straight people are great.`
MarionPaige
The TRIP TO THE WOODs on Looking feels like a rip of The Camping Trip Josh Thomas took with his mother in an episode of “Please Like Me”.
MarionPaige
Also, you have to wonder what it feels like to be selected as the star of a tv show, to be spotlighted in promos for the tv show and then, when the show airs, you find out that the audience hates YOU. They may actually like the show but they hate you.
enlightenone
@OzJosh: “…I can barely believe I’m saying this, but the hokey stereotypes of Modern Family actually do more good than Looking, as lame and offensive as they can be.”
“barely believe” is telling! What it says shows how desperate WE are to see three- dimensional, mature, sexual, complex gay men we can relate to – coupled and single of DIVERSE ethncities/cultures in MAINSTREAM media/television that gay youth, in particular, can get a sense of themselves in positive, gay and life-affirming ways?
KiDAciDic
I never had any problem with Augustine in the first season. I just had a problem how utterly dull this show is. I understand they are going for the “hey look at us, we are normal “tolerable” gays that fit in with straight hetero america blah blah blah, but all they ended up with was this exhaustively mundane thing. I loved the director’s film Weekend, it was an understated intimate FOCUSED look at a hookup. I got that film, as an examination on how a culture of hookups could lead 2 people with chemistry of being confused and scared of trying to form something greater. This show? Its just a plodding mess that pats itself on the back for how “normal” the gay guys are.
stanhope
@Jeremy Kinser: Am I the only one annoyed/irritated that there are straight people playing gay characters in the cast? When I look around at the tremendous gay actors struggling in community theatre that could walk away with these parts [though relatively undemanding], I just look up at the sky and wonder why. Feels like the cousin of black face.
Jeremy Kinser
@stanhope:
I think the producers cast the best actors available for the roles. Regardless of his orientation in real life, I can’t imagine anyone but Raul Castillo playing Richie. If we support gay actors such as Neil Patrick Harris and Zachary Quinto portraying heterosexual characters, we need to be equally supportive of straight actors trying to make a living.
enlightenone
@stanhope: “Am I the only one annoyed/irritated that there are straight people playing gay characters in the cast?”
I would if only because, as you suspect, there are plenty of gay actors who need work and would not have to defend their sexuality or feel uncomfortable catching the “gay” disease or as in Mark Walberg’s case would worry about his kids being teased/bullied in school if he played “gay!”
I would also be be very much bothered by it IF gay actors were complaining. If they are, I don’t know who.
Cam
@Jeremy Kinser:
This response is worrying. I know that there were a lot of posts about looking, but for an editor to suddenly jump in to defend the show, and claiming that there is only ONE actor in the world who could play a certain character…it feels like there must be a personal connection. Either a friendship with the Actor or director or they are advertising on Queerty.
And again, as for no other actor being able to play Ritchie…Really? I haven’t noticed that the acting is any huge stretch that somehow this previously undiscovered genius was required to play this incredibly difficult part.
Let’s not pretend that a gay version of “The Real Housewives” is Shakespeare.
AxelDC
@Jeremy Kinser: Is this an advertorial? Your need to defend the show in the comments section after you already wrote this puffpiece makes me think you are getting paid by HBO. Looking is a fine show, mostly because of Jonathan Groff, but it has its flaws.
Cam was spot on in pointing out that Ritchie is despised because his character is nasty, manipulative and spiteful. We do not understand why the other principles spend time with him. They either need to give his character some redeeming qualities or write him off the show. The only believable part was when his bf left him. I would leave my partner if he spent our rent money on a hooker. The reason I’m with him is because I know he never would.
Jeremy Kinser
@AxelDC:
This is neither an advertorial, nor a puff piece. It’s an interview with one of the actors on a show I happen to enjoy watching. You seem to be confused about the characters’ names and meant to write Agustin instead of Richie.
Jeremy Kinser
@Cam:
You’re incorrect. I have no personal connections with anyone on Looking. It just happens to be a series my friends and I enjoy watching and I believe it is exceptionally well-cast, regardless of the actors’ sexual orientation.
uruz422
He may not be the most “likable” character but I’d fuck him in a heart beat. That furry body and cute face. Yum. Much more my type than Patrick.
Cam
@Jeremy Kinser:
If that is the case then I can’t wrap my head around the comment of your not being able to imagine anybody else playing the character of Ritchie. I think the actor is good, but I’m not sure that the very straight forward role would be beyond the talents of a host of other actors.
That said, the actor playing the part seems to have nailed the character far better than Groff has. Even after being out of the closet for a decade and living in the Castro for that time, Groff chose to play his character as if he was a giggling 21 year old going out to a gay bar for the first time. Maybe being on Glee messed up his perception of how to nail down a character that isn’t a high school student, but I have to say that Richie was a breath of fresh air, I’m just not sure what he sees in Groff’s character, nobody wants to date somebody who acts like a Jr. high girl on her first date.
alnhouston
Lighten up. If you don’t like the show…don’t watch it, don’t read articles relating to it. For those of us who enjoyed the show and are looking forward to the new season…we’ll take it from here. The rest of you can move along to bitch about something else.
enlightenone
@Cam: “…I have to say that Richie was a breath of fresh air, I’m just not sure what he sees in Groff’s character, nobody wants to date somebody who acts like a Jr. high girl on her first date.”
You nailed it!
enlightenone
@alnhouston: “For those of us who enjoyed the show and are looking forward to the new season…we’ll take it from here.”
Only if the producers are only seeking adolescent viewers otherwise “bitch[ing]” about it – constructive criticism – CAN improve a production as it has done since the beginning of “entertainment!”