In a recent interview to promote his
latest project, out actor Russell Tovey said that he grew up in an
environment where it was “completely normal to be gay.”
The 36-year-old Tovey is best known in
the U.S. for playing Kevin Matheson in HBO's gay drama Looking.
He currently stars as Harry Doyle on ABC's Quantico and Ray
Terrill / The Ray in the CW's The Flash and Legends of
Tomorrow.
In The Pass, Tovey plays a
closeted athlete. The film, available now digitally and on VOD, is
based on John Donnelly's play of the same name.
In promoting The Pass, Tovey
spoke to Queerty, which wanted know why he never struggled with his
sexuality the way his character in the film does.
“I think because I have always been
surrounded by people that love me and support me,” Tovey
answered. “I was acting from a young age, so I was
experiencing an environment where it was completely normal to be gay.
So I didn’t have any shame or fear of that. I just had the
uncertainty of the world I was going into. I didn’t know gay bars.
I remember being younger and terrified but exhilarated about going to
my first gay bar. Coming out, you know, stuff goes on, but you get
through it. And I’m at a stage now where I’m completely out, I’ve
got a fiancé, got best mates, got a great family, I’m able to do
amazing work and it hasn’t done anything but benefit me.”
(Related: Russell
Tovey engaged to boyfriend Steve Brockman.)
Queerty also asked how Tovey feels
“about straight actors taking on gay roles.”
“I love it,” he replied. “The
best actor should be playing the part. Gay, straight or whatever,
they should have the opportunity. I don’t feel any annoyance at a
gay role going to a straight person as I hope a straight person
wouldn’t be annoyed at a gay person playing a straight role. As
long as it goes to the best actor, I don’t see the problem.”