Josh O’Connor Shares “Mixed Feelings” About Playing Gay Roles Ahead of New Queer Film

Josh O’Connor

British actor Josh O’Connor admitted he is “not 100% sure” how he feels about playing gay roles, saying he has “mixed feelings about it.”

In an interview with Vanity Fair, O’Connor shared his candid thoughts on straight actors playing gay roles. This follows his performances as gay characters in the 2017 film ‘God’s Own Country’ and the upcoming ‘The History of Sound’.

“It’s a really difficult subject,” he began. “The truth is that ultimately, I will read a script, and what affects me, affects me.” He went on to explain what drew him to each of the films. In ‘God’s Own Country’, he plays a repressed gay farmer who falls in love with a farmhand. He described his character as “someone who was unable to love, be loved, and receive love,” adding that aspects such as “a character’s sexuality, background, where they’ve grown up, and their dynamic with their family” are elements he takes “as seriously as [he] would any other aspect.”

In ‘The History of Sound’, where he stars alongside Paul Mescal, he described the film as being “about many things […] It’s about grief, companionship, and music. It’s about what happens in life when you fall in love with someone and how that connection can sometimes be broken.”

Despite his performances, O’Connor expressed reservations about playing gay characters as a straight man. “To be totally truthful, I’m not 100% sure how I feel about it. I think I have mixed feelings,” he admitted.

In the same interview, O’Connor discussed his sex scenes, noting that he understands Mescal’s perspective when the latter said he finds gay sex scenes easier to portray than the tenderness that follows. He described sex scenes as “a very strange thing,” explaining that while they might appear sexy on screen, they are actually “a very choreographed, rehearsed thing, and you’re surrounded by a room full of people.” However, he noted that tenderness is different, as “being vulnerable and intimate with another actor is more revealing and scarier.”

‘The History of Sound’ has yet to announce its premiere date but is expected to debut in 2025, potentially following the Cannes Film Festival in May.

 

Sources: (1) (2)

RELATED ARTICLE:

Trending

SLBWMI MHAY
LOOK: ‘Some Love Begins With Mistaken Identity’ and ‘Me, Him, and You’ Set for TV Release Starting November 27
Two Japanese BL shorts are making their TV debut this November! … Josh O’Connor...
I Fell, It's Fine
Rhian Ramos and Glaiza De Castro's New GL Movie 'I Fell, It's Fine' Announced
Rastro fans, are you ready? … Josh O’Connor Shares “Mixed Feelings” About...
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Disney Criticized for Shelving Trans Athlete Episode of ‘Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’
Disney faces backlash after reportedly shelving an episode of the animated TV series...
Spare Me Your Mercy
WATCH: Death Brings Them Together in ‘Spare Me Your Mercy’ Official Trailer
The highly anticipated BL series ‘Spare Me Me Your Mercy’ from oneD Original is creating...
Friend to Fan,
WATCH: Love Blossoms Beyond Friendship in ‘Friend to Fan’ Pilot Trailer
After introducing the cast and their characters, the production has now unveiled...

Schedule

SLBWMI MHAY
LOOK: ‘Some Love Begins With Mistaken Identity’ and ‘Me, Him, and You’ Set for TV Release Starting November 27
Two Japanese BL shorts are making their TV debut this November! … Josh O’Connor...
I Fell, It's Fine
Rhian Ramos and Glaiza De Castro's New GL Movie 'I Fell, It's Fine' Announced
Rastro fans, are you ready? … Josh O’Connor Shares “Mixed Feelings” About...
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Disney Criticized for Shelving Trans Athlete Episode of ‘Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’
Disney faces backlash after reportedly shelving an episode of the animated TV series...
Spare Me Your Mercy
WATCH: Death Brings Them Together in ‘Spare Me Your Mercy’ Official Trailer
The highly anticipated BL series ‘Spare Me Me Your Mercy’ from oneD Original is creating...
Friend to Fan,
WATCH: Love Blossoms Beyond Friendship in ‘Friend to Fan’ Pilot Trailer
After introducing the cast and their characters, the production has now unveiled...