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AfterElton Fantasy Casting: Who should play the three new gay characters on "United States of Tara"?
It's no secret that Showtime's United States of Tara was one of our favorite shows of the last TV season, thanks to Toni Collette's fabulous performance as the altered heroine, and the inclusion of her gay teen son Marshall, played with conviction and heart by Keir Gilchrist. Our sole complaint was that the season was entirely too short, and we were a bit miffed that the second season isn't scheduled to air until next year (Twelve episodes a year? What is this, BBC?). Interminable wait aside, we now have even more reason to eagerly anticipate its return. The show is currently casting for not one ... not two ... but three new gay characters for the upcoming season! Join us below for a look at the new characters, along with a few fantasy casting suggestions. And feel free to make your own suggestions ... and remember, this is fantasy casting, so feel free to go as "outside the box" as you like! Character: Ted Mayo Description: "Late 40s to 50s. This funny, sweet choir teacher is the Gregson family's neighbor, an openly gay man who lives with his younger, Middle Eastern lover, Hany." James Spader I think James Spader is the perfect choice. He's forty-nine, and after surviving working with William Shatner, playing opposite a character with multiple personalities should be a breeze! Character: Hany Description: "Ted's handsome younger lover, this Middle Eastern / Egyptian man is easygoing, and strikes up a helpful friendship with Marshall." Haaz Sleiman This is a no-brainer. Haaz Sleiman is already playing gay on another Showtime series, Nurse Jackie, so they could probably save a bundle on payroll. Character: Lionel Trane. Okay, wait a minute. Lionel Trane? Seriously? Description: Strongly prefer 18 to play 16, this high school student is a flamboyant, impassioned, and very outspoken gay activist. Drake Bell Okay, at age twenty-two Drake is a little long-in-the-tooth to play a sixteen-year old, but that's never stopped Hollywood before. Besides, isn't he positively dreamy? Okay, let's hear your suggestions! And are you looking forward to the second season (premiering in January) as much as we are? Submitted by on Tue, 2009-07-14 08:01. |
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This is great news
Fifth gay character
Three new gay characters and Marshall makes for pretty gay TV. Plus, Toni Collette is pretty much gay in everything she does so she is like the honorary fifth gay character.
Ted Mayo = Scott Bakula
He is much hunkier than Spader, has played gay in American Beauty, and knows a little thing about playing multiple people (Quantum Leap).
Hany = Rami Malek
Since Haaz is busy being fabulous on another Showtime series, I think the very hot Rami Malek, who played gay character Kenny in The War At Home, would be great. Rami and Bakula would be so freakin hot!
Lionel Trane = Lucas Grabeel
Drake Bell is a good suggestion, but Lucas looks younger and his role as a gay activist (along with his role in Milk) would help make up for his flamboyant, asexual retro-gay from the High School Musical films.
Two outta three
I'm with you for two out of three, and while I do agree that Drake Bell is just dreamy (looking behind me for Chris Hanson), I was thinking someone more age appropriate from the Nickleodeon barn: Nathan Kress from iCarly. He always comes off as gay to me on the show, even if he's got the unrequited crush on Carly, and it's not like there's never been a gay boy using that as cover throughout high school. Downside? He's only 15, 16 by the time the season airs. That makes him 2 months younger than Keir.
Who is...
Since this is fantasy casting
I think Hugh Jackman would be perfect for the role of Ted. He's got the chops to sing as the choir director, he's played gay before very convincingly and he's HOT.
For Lionel I could see someone like Michael Cera. Since he normally plays the quiet type, it could be a great story arc for him to become the activist.
actually
A Racial Question
Hmmm...
To be fair, lots of times it's assumed that if the race is not specified, then it's open and anyone can be submitted. Lots of those audition notices have a separate statement that states the producers commitment to multi-racial casting. Don't know if that means anything really, but it is there :-).
www.wdwsmmaos.blogspot.com
I don't know...
I don't know that I could see James Spader playing anyone described as "sweet"...but then again, maybe Secretary is just throwing my perception of him. He always just seems like such an odd duck to me. Oh well, to each his own. How about John Benjamin Hickey or Denis O'Hare? Great actors, and out!
Anyone else find it surprising they used the term "lover" rather than "boyfriend," or "partner"? Not trying to set off that whole debate again, it just struck me as odd.
www.wdwsmmaos.blogspot.com
It's high time "lover" was brought back