If you’ve ever seen Flowers In The Attic, then you know there are certain secrets that are probably better off locked away.
But, when it comes to being gay, we’re surprised to hear that there are still actors being told they should stay in the closet for the sake of their careers.
At least, that’s been the experience of British actor Luke Fetherston, who is currently starring in Lifetime’s prequel miniseries, Flowers In The Attic: The Origin.
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The dashing star revealed to Attitude that he was “very recently” told by a former co-star that he should hide his sexuality if he wants to continue to work in entertainment. While he stressed that the comment came from a protective place of love—”she grew up in a different time”—he was still shocked by the bizarre advice.
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“Have I ever worried? Yes, I have worried about announcing it,” Fetherston admitted. “As I said, it’s not something I think anyone needs to scream and shout about because what does it matter? I’m playing a gay role. And I’m a gay man. Why wouldn’t I say that?”
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With major strides toward inclusive media representation being made in recent years, it feels a bit surprising to hear that young, queer actors are still being pushed to stay closeted. But that’s the unfortunate reality of things, as Fetherston tells it.
“I’m sure the majority of us have been told to hide our sexuality. I can’t imagine meeting a gay actor that hasn’t been told that. Yeah, it’s crazy. So, until we don’t have to do that, then, yes, I believe it’s important that gay people are cast as gay characters. It’s the most authentic option.”
Related: Evicted from the closet: 8 times queer celebrities were outed by their own allies
For the record, Fetherston does, indeed, play gay in Flowers In The Attic: The Origin. His Joel Foxworth is the youngest of a wealthy Virginia family in the mid-1900s who, despite their manners, are sincerely messed up.
As the story unfolds, Joel begins to discover his own sexuality and even finds a love interest in the housekeeper, Harry (Jordan Peters)—developments which lead his bug-nuts brood to take extreme measures.
Of course, the prequel’s shocking moments are likely not too surprising at all if you’re familiar with author V.C. Andrews’ gothic source novel—or perhaps its 1987 film adaptation—which is infamous for its inclusion of sibling incest.
Related: Who are the most prominent gay actors in Hollywood?
But The Origin has plenty else on its mind across four movie-length “episodes,” including Joel Foxworth’s burgeoning romance, which Fetherston calls the “most authentic, natural, genuine portrayal of love in the series.”
For Fethertson, the role feels like a rare opportunity for him, as a gay man, to play gay—something he’s hopeful will only become more and more common in the future:
“I don’t feel like anyone’s sexuality is anyone else’s business. I would love for that to be the case. However, at the moment, if we can encourage gay actors to play gay roles and to talk about it, I think it is important to do so for the younger generation, and for the industry, the networks, the casting directors, and directors to see that it doesn’t matter.”
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Donston
You’d have to be pretty naive (or full of self-hate) to think there isn’t still a lot of closet pressures in the entertainment industry. They still want to be able to market their big projects in “anti queer” countries and to everyone in general. Having out actors in main roles hurts that ability. While we still have yet to see males who are unapologetic about their same-sex affections and sexual, romantic, emotional, commitment interests make it to the A-list. And most prestige “gay roles” don’t go to unabashedly queer actors. None of this an accident. There’s still a belief that if you’re a conventionally good-looking male who is “straight-passing” you have to retain a hetero/hetero-leaning image to keep getting substantial work, and definitely don’t attach to “gay”.
monty clift
It might be wrong to say this but I think it would be better for the actor to stay closeted until they’ve at least established a career before coming out. We’ve seen time and time again now from young actors coming out too early and losing potential work.