If you’re not already a card-carrying member of the “Russell Tovey is everything” club, you probably will be after this Sunday’s episode of Looking. That’s when Tovey’s character Kevin, a video game developer and supervisor of Jonathan Groff‘s character Patrick, will make his first appearance and the chemistry between the two, ahem, lookers is palpable.
Tovey, currently appearing as a gay footballer in the London production of The Pass, spoke to Digital Spy about the appeal of the hit HBO series.
“I think a lot of shows have the stereotypical gay man that’s very accessible, very family friendly — the token comedy role or the best friend,” he mused. “This is showing a section of the community where there isn’t any crisis in the fact that they’re gay and it isn’t the all-defining personality trait of each of the characters. It just happens to be that they are gay and this is their lives and this what they are doing — they are living. They’ve got over all their shit and they’re just being.”
The actor, who for now is perhaps best known for his work in the stage production of The History Boys and the popular sci-fi series Being Human, also offered an explanation of the the sparks, romantic or not, that fly when his and Groff’s characters meet in Sunday’s episode.
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“Kevin is very secure and sure of himself and I think Patrick falls for that charm,” Tovey offers. “Kevin relishes that, but as the series goes on, he’s wrong-footed. You can be cocky and confident, but when you start developing feelings for someone, suddenly your self-esteem drops a bit. It’s a weird place for him to be in. That’s where his drama comes from.”
There seems to be no drama between the two out actors off-screen and Tovey claims he’s among Groff’s many admirers.
“I love musicals — that’s probably one of my most gay traits, that’s one of my giveaways!” Tovey shares. “Jonathan is obviously a musical king — so between takes, we’d be singing songs from musicals. They’d call cut and we’d break into a tune from Chorus Line. I think he’s absolutely brilliant. A lot of people love Jonathan Groff and I’m happy to join the queue!”
Here’s hoping the two will make beautiful music together onscreen.
NG22
Here’s hoping they start banging in real life and become my favorite gay couple. They’re both such adorable guys.
BTW, I really like Looking, and it’s not just because I’m attracted to literally EVERY SINGLE man in it. I think it’s an intriguing show with a fresh tone. I’m invested in the characters. They all have unvoiced demons and uncertain futures. Hopefully the plot line rises to the occasion and delivers their truths in a compelling way as the series progresses.
BrianZ
@NG22: I was also super drawn in to Looking. The characters all have a genuine sense of being the character that I found delightful, and it didn’t hurt that they are all easy on the eyes. However what pleased me more than anything was that I saw all of the things going on in the show as realistic, adult portrayals of life, often my life.
DistingueTraces
I love Russell Tovey, but I like Raul Castillo as Richie so much that I don’t want Tovey to show up and displace him as Patrick’s main love interest.
Although after last night’s circumcision-related disaster, Richie would have to be a pretty amazing guy to be willing to give Patrick a second chance.
jimbryant
Looking is tanking in the ratings because people are not interested in watching dull gay men with stereotypical existences. I mean, we live it. Why should we want to watch it?
MarionPaige
the synopses for episode 3 is:
“Looking season 1, episode 3 “Looking at Your Browser History” airing Saturday, February 1 AND Sunday, February 2: “At a video-game launch party aboard an aircraft carrier, Patrick (Jonathan Groff) and his coworker Owen (Andrew Law) meet Kevin (Russell Tovey), a gay Brit who turns out to be Patrick’s new boss. Reinvigorated after his verbal beatdown of Ethan (Derek Ray), Dom (Murray Bartlett) tells Doris (Lauren Weedman) about his plans to start a Portuguese-chicken restaurant. Agustín (Frankie J. Alvarez) is fired by Stina (Ann Magnuson) after opining that her chair sculpture is lame, but his outlook on art and life gets a lift when he meets CJ (TJ Linnard), a sex worker.”
DistingueTraces
Ann Magnuson, we hardly knew ye.
I’m freaking out about Raul Castillo, though. IMDB says he’s in all eight episodes, but IMDB also says Andrew Law is only in one, and according to the preview this will be his second, so IMDB is at least partly wrong.
I don’t want to lose Richie, even if Patrick doesn’t deserve him!
bettaboi
I added HBO just to watch Looking… after two shows – so slow and boring. Hope it gets better….. Queer As Folk was so much better, held your attention.. Last night I even fast forwarded while he was eating his cereal and chatting… BORING !!!!
Black Pegasus
Just what we’ve all been starving for! Another narcissistic journey into the privileged lives of gay white men. I guess the Asian and Black men will be added in season 2 for comic relief or sexual objectification.
I’m so NOT watching.
Icebloo
Just watched the second episode of Looking and I want to punch Jonathan Groff in the face. He is a TERRIBLE actor. He is too over the top and he always has a smug grin on his face. ANNOYING ! The three main guys in the show are BORING AS HELL – they need to change it up a lot for this show to survive.
DistingueTraces
@Black Pegasus:
This is the first tv show to directly address racism within the gay community. Ever.
asa
boring show, bad actors, do not relate with story line what so ever, could not watch the whole episode. Quite depressing…
Nice try HBO
CCTR
Even more brilliant than the first episode, loved the second episode, so exciting for next episodes
alanj
@CCTR:
I agree with you, it’s building very nicely.
sportyguy1983
The show is a total dud and boring. It is just as bad as Queer As Folk, but at least Queer As Folk had more eyecandy to look at.
balehead
A well written show that everyone is not going to get….
balehead
I’m amazed how many of the complainers of the show haven’t watched it….
Stache1
@jimbryant: 2 shows in means absolutely nothing and from where I’m at it looks like people are becoming more interested.
Stache1
@CCTR: This is turning out to be a great show. My only complaint is 30 mins is way too damn short. Oh well.
Stache1
@balehead: Some want QAF, Sex in the City, etc. This show moves at a different pace and is unique. That’s what they don’t like.
Stache1
@Cam: Yeah, but their privileged Black and Hispanic men so they don’t count and that’s just racism..somehow.
CCTR
@Stache1: 30 minutes is not much. I would like more too. I think there are 8 episodes that have been filmed. I wonder if those 8 are the entire season?
CCTR
@Black Pegasus: Everyone has there reasons. Were you a fan of the logo series Noah’s Arc or DTLA?
CCTR
@CCTR: their reasons.
MK Ultra
@CCTR: Same here. Love the show but wish it was in the 60 mins format.
Abe D
I have only watched one episode so far. It was boring, but there were some parts to it that I said “OMG, that’s me!” However all the sterotypical characters are there, the old gay slut who realizes he doesn’t have it anymore, the gay artists, etc. They all looked like Tom’s of Finland characters. However, I was willing to give the show a shot until the end.
Jonathan Groff’s character ran into that Latino guy who was into him on the train. I love how the Latino guy was portrayed as some dumb thug looking guy. Mind you he was also a doorman at a seedy club and apparently couldn’t speak English properly (much less say Oncology). As the white guy acted like he was taking a chance on someone that he saw as beneath him. After that, I was like hell NO.
Eff this stupid show.