Meet the gays of "The United States of Tara" and "Nurse Jackie"

 
Keir Gilchrist as Marshall in The United States of Tara
(Jordin Althaus/SHO)

We reported a while back that Showtime will be bringing us some new gay central characters in dark comedies The United States of Tara and Nurse Jackie, both of which premiere in 2009 (Tara in January, Jackie likely in summer). And now we've got pics!

Tara stars the always-incredible Toni Collette as a wife and mother who juggles daily life with the fact that she has three alternate personalities ("alters"). Her family is supportive but they have their own issues to deal with ... including teenaged son Marshall (Keir Gilchrist), who is openly gay. Apparently his family is accepting of his sexuality, but some of his mother's alters aren't ... which is probably what's led him to read the classic multiple personality book Sybil in the above production shot.

It looks like Marshall will have a crush on another guy at some point and that it will become central to the overall storyline later in the season ... we'll be watching to see how it plays out. Am I the only one who wants to set up this kid and Justin Suarez on an ice cream date?

Haaz Slieman and Edie Falco in Nurse Jackie
  

Meanwhile, Nurse Jackie brings the ever-excellent Edie Falco to Showtime as a deeply flawed but feisty nurse battling the New York City healthcare system as she tries to help her patients. Her BFF is a gay guy named Mo-Mo (Haaz Slieman) and we don't know much about him yet other than that he's kinda adorable.

Lots more pics, after the jump!

Gilchrist with Rosemarie Dewitt as Charmaine
 

With Toni Collette as Tara/"Alice"
 

With Brie Larson as Kate