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Russell Tovey Will Play Gay Character In HBO’s New Dramedy

russell-toveyOut actor Russell Tovey said he wouldn’t play a gay character unless something special came along. Apparently, the British thespian found just what he’s been waiting for when the script for HBO’s upcoming dramedy Looking landed in his hands. Tovey has joined the eight-episode half-hour series, which chronicles the lives of a group of gay men living in San Francisco. Tovey, best-known for the U.K. drama Being Human, will play Kevin, “an accomplished video game wunderkind who has achieved financial and critical success at a young age,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Last May the actor told the U.K. paper The Independent“Every character I play is straight, which is unique, my agent says, because it’s not really been done before that someone who is completely out is able to play straight roles. So for me to play gay it has to be something special, because it might actually be more of a risk. So I’m waiting for that role – I want it to be something that moves things forward.”

Tovey’s character is a coworker of the character played by the previously announced Jonathan Groff. Also announced for a recurring role in the series is Scott Bakula, “who plays Lynn, a wealthy and popular figure in the San Francisco gay community.”

The pilot will be directed by Andrew Haigh, highly-regarded for last year’s searing romantic drama Weekend. The series is scheduled to begin filming in San Francisco within a few weeks.

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