Ask the Flying Monkey: What's a Nice Guy Like Chad Allen Doing Playing a Serial Killer?

This week: Chad Allen speaks! Plus, is it hypocritical for Anderson Cooper and Zachary Quinto to advocate for gay rights? Is it “censorship” to ask Ron Howard to cut a gay joke?

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Q: I was thrilled to see Chad Allen turn up on last week’s episode of Dexter – playing a gay serial killer no less! But I was sad he only had one actual line (but what a line! “You must be Ten Inches of Hard Steel”). How’d the part come about? And does he get frustrated that lately (General Hospital: Night Shift, Donald Strachey) he only seems to be called for “gay” roles? – Steven, Cincinnati, OH

Chad Allen as a gay serial killer on the prowl in a recent episode of Dexter

A: “Dexter is my favorite show,” Chad Allen tells me. “I really wanted to be on it and told my agent so. One week later, they called with this part so I figured: you don't ask the universe for something and then turn it down because it’s not [big] enough.

“The truth is my life is very spread out these days. I'm doing lots of things, including producing and finishing my degree in Marine and environmental science, working with the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center, and so much else that I don't really give my acting career a ton of attention these days. So when it came up, I thought I'd better take it while I can in case I miss my chance. I'll forever be able to say I was on Dexter's table!”

I asked Chad what the experience was like, if the Dexter set is any “darker” than other shows as a result of its tone, and he said, “It was an awesome experience – five days of running around encased in plastic and being chased by Michael [C. Hall] and getting to know a really wonderful cast and crew. It’s not dark, it’s actually quite light and very welcoming. I'm so glad I said yes.”

Since he was wrapped in plastic for most of the role, I couldn’t help but wonder if he was wearing anything under the plastic wrap.

“Nothing else,” Chad admits. “Totally naked under there, most of the time anyway. [But] if you notice the ‘plastic dress’ I was wearing had sort of shoulder straps in it. Those were to hide a harness used to prevent Michael from actually choking me as he dragged me down the alley.”

As for Chad’s being offered mostly gay roles these days, he says, “It’s true I don't seem to be afforded the kind of breadth that actors who came out more recently are given. I don't really care too much – maybe it was my job to do my part to create the atmosphere we enjoy or maybe I just have more to say with playing gay roles. I love playing homos – we have so much still do in regards to advancing our civil rights and shining light on the fear of others that I figure, ‘What the hell, no sense complaining about it.’ Use the work to say what you want to say and be happy you're getting the chance. I suppose if acting was my only goal in life it would be frustrating, but I've been doing this for so many years – more than thirty years and five long-lasting TV series – that I still enjoy it, but if it all stops tomorrow I won't curl up and die. I'm proud of the work I’ve done.”

Finally, being a big fan of the Donald Strachey TV movies (On the Other Hand, Death was my favorite), I asked Chad if there was any chance we’d seeing any more of them now that here! TV has bailed on the project.

Allen as gay detective Donald Strachey

“I love those stories and the character,” he tells me. “I really wish we could get them going again – they are just so fun and so different from anything else that’s out there. I am actually working closely with the author and one of the writers to do just that – maybe find them a new home or create something totally different with them, but it all remains to be seen.”

Next Page! Is it hypocritical for Anderson Cooper and Zachary Quinto to advocate for gay rights?