The HBO drama Big Love is
preparing to take a big look at the ex-gay movement and the Mormon
Church's relationship with the gay community, Entertainment Weekly
reported.
Big Love, the highly-acclaimed
drama about a polygamist Mormon family in Utah that stars Bill Paxton
and Jeanne Tripplehorn, begins its fourth season on January 10.
Among the surprises this year will be the possible coming out – or
outing – of closeted villain Alby Grant (played by Matt Ross).
Matt Ross' character is “being
groomed for an incredible season,” Will Scheffer, co-creator and
executive producer of Big Love, told Michael
Ausiello.
Joining the cast this year is Benjamin
Koldyke as the character of Dale Tomasson, a gay man undergoing
reparative therapy to “pray away the gay.” The two men begin an
affair.
“Alby's boyfriend, Dale, is appointed
head of the UEB – a trustee,” co-creator Marc V. Olsen said.
“They stumble into a relationship, and this guy is [just like Alby]
struggling with his urges. He's been going to therapy for several
years … unsuccessfully. Alby is going as well.”
The gay storyline will “highlight
certain aspects of the church's relationship with its gay members
that I think, as the story unfolds, is going to cause no [small]
amount of controversy,” Olsen added.
Gay Entertainment Report is a feature
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ontopmag@ontopmag.com.