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AE: People are really responding to the kiss you share with Jimmy. You and Brian Hallisay brought a real passion and believability to it. What was your approach to that?
SJ: We both knew we couldn't let our own fears get in the way of this love story.  That's what this was.  These guys really felt something for each other on a level that both made them uncomfortable and somehow fit like a glove.  Also, we were in great hands with Jeannot Szwarc, the amazing director of one of my favorites Somewhere in Time with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.  He knew that this love story had to be crafted in a very full, passionate way. He should be given so much credit. He took so much time directing us and helping us to mine the gold in the story. Also, it was really clear that it was a two-part kiss.  The first from a place of frustration and primal lust, the second from a deep need for each other.

AE: Your character was remarkably confident and comfortable with who he was and what he wanted. Was that in the writing or something you brought to the role?
SJ: Well, I wish I could say that it was just something I perceived and brought to the role, but I'd be a stinkin' liar. It was definitely in the script from page one. He was written as a maverick. A loose cannon, cowboy type.  It really clicked with me and I immediately felt like I was in this character's head.

AE: With the outing of Neil Patrick Harris and T.R. Knight there has been a great deal of discussion about the private lives of celebrities. As an actor on the rise yourself, what's your attitude toward that? How much privacy will you expect and demand as you become more well known?
SJ: Well, that's one of those things that I was wary of for a long time, but recently decided that it's worth the price for admission. Not that I'm there yet, but there will come a day very soon where I'll face that myself. I figure I don't have anything to hide. I'm proud of my life and where I've come from.

However, I do hope that sometime soon someone's sexuality will be respected and accepted enough to not be front page news. I understand a fun curiosity about celebrities, and "who's dating who" will always be of interest, I suppose. Let's hope that the responses across America become more casual and accepting. I remember when my wife told me Neil Patrick Harris was gay - I thought about it for a second, ran through his career in my head (Doogie Howser, etc.) and thought about how funny he was in the Harold and Kumar movie - snorting coke off a hooker's ass while hanging out the top of a limo. [It was] classic. Then I didn't think about it again until you mentioned it.  I hope he's happy - he deserves to be - end of story.

Then again, there's always the Matt Damon approach. "Hollywood hunk Matt Damon is determined to appear as boring as possible whenever he gives an interview, for he thinks that a dull persona will keep the paparazzi away from him."

AE: You did such a great job with the role of Coop. I'm curious what you drew on for that? Do you know a lot of gay people so the issue is familiar to you? Or as an actor did you just read the script and follow the director's instructions?
SJ: Really, my approach to this was no different than it would be in a straight role. It's a forbidden, haunting love that he can't help but feel and he can't shake from his thoughts. It's not hard for anyone to imagine that. 

If anything, I wanted to avoid any stereotypes about gay people. I wanted to put out there that it can be anyone - the people you least suspect.  Being gay has as many varieties as does being straight. It meant a lot to me when I heard a close friend tell me that he wished there were more shows like this (he's a bit of a homophobe), [and that] after watching the show he could see another side of the relationship.  He sort of "got it" for the first time.  It was two people in love. 

I think people are slowly getting past their personal hang-ups with the physical act of sex, and seeing that relationships are relationships are relationships, regardless of who makes up the couple.

AE: I assume you wouldn't hesitate to play gay again? What are you working on now?
SJ: Of course I'd play another gay character. My favorite play from college is one where I played a gay man.

Well, I recently did a great guest spot on CSI: NY and one on BONES. Coming up in 2007, I've got two movies coming out. The Great Buck Howard with John Malkovich, and Crossing Paths with Minnie Driver. And I've got a few surprises in the works. My wife and I are having a little boy come March, so that's obviously quite a production all its own.

AE: Anything else you'd like to add?
SJ: Just wanted to say thanks and I'm very grateful for your interest in hearing my thoughts. It's an honor. I'm very proud of this episode.

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