Interview with Torchwood’s Gareth David-Lloyd

AE: It seems the U.K. in general is decades ahead of us in terms of how the culture is accepting of gay issues than we are in the U.S. Does that extend specifically to Wales, too, and not just London and more metropolitan areas?
GDL: Big cities have obviously got a bigger gay scene, so in Cardiff there is a gay scene, but not as big as say in Manchester or London or Birmingham. But it’s definitely there, It’s quite accepted. It’s quite free and open.

AE: Has playing Ianto, who at this point is romantically involved with another man and who has a different sexuality than you do, given you any kind of insight into gay issues or how things are for gay men in the world today?
GDL: No, not really. To be honest with you, I have a lot of gay friends anyway. I’ve been to the gay clubs before with gay friends. I think John Diamond hits the nail on the head when he says I’m one of these people of that age where it’s just not an issue, and it never has been.

AE: So you weren’t in a place where you needed to be educated about it. One thing we found really interesting is that there are a lot of female fans who are really into the idea of two men being together romantically. Do you have a lot of female fans that are pushing for a relationship between Jack and Ianto?
GDL: Oh, definitely. I try to stay clear away from the Internet, but you find yourself reading fan fiction and it takes up a lot of time. Yeah, absolutely. That’s definitely one of the biggest questions for fans as far as Janto. Everyone’s for Jack and Ianto to get together.

AE: We know Torchwood has been commissioned for a third series – congrats on that. A reader asks, If you could have a wish list of one thing that you would want to happen with Ianto on series three, what would that be?
GDL: I haven’t really thought of it actually. Maybe a surfacing of some more depth of darkness and anguish – that would be quite fun to play.

AE: What do you think motivates Ianto to come to work every day and do what he does?
GDL: Because Torchwood is his life and that’s his oxygen, that’s what gives him meaning, that’s his purpose. He’s a good soldier, he’s a well-oiled cog in a machine. That’s his life and there’s never a question about him getting himself to work because he needs it.

AE: Do you think much about what he does when he’s not there? We don’t really see much of his life when he’s outside.
GDL: Exactly, I think that is his life. I don’t think he’s got an extracurricular social life with anyone. There’s nothing that you’ll find for him to do.

AE: Another readers wonders if you have anything in common with Ianto? For example, he seems like he’s a complete neat-freak. Are you a neat-freak in your life?
GDL: Absolutely not! I’m the complete opposite. I’m unshaven and I like baggy clothes, I’m a bit scruffy. I like being comfortable and I feel quite restricted and quite uncomfortable when I’m dressed up in tight clothes. That’s Ianto’s thick extra skin, I think.

AE: Numerous readers commented they've heard that John Barrowman likes to play pranks on set and ask if he has ever pranked you?
GDL: A couple of times. He’ll do things in your close-up like wearing some of the costume pieces for one of the aliens and playing a gay cowboy called Slappy while you’re trying to deliver a line.

AE: A gay cowboy named Slappy?
GDL: Yeah, next time you see him, ask him about Slappy.

AE: In interviews, he often seems to have a kind of dirty mind and is into dirty jokes. Are his pranks on set that way as well?
GDL: Yeah, well, when work has to be done, he’s very professional. But if you give him too much time, he’s like a child and then the jokes will start coming. And bits of his body will just happen to fall out.

AE: Another AfterElton.com reader asks, besides Torchwood, do you have any dream projects? What are your aspirations in terms of your acting career beyond the show?
GDL: I’d like to do some documentary-style film and drama and some realistic hand-held stuff. I’d like to do some more theater and some Shakespeare, anywhere I can kind of ponce around on stage.

AE: We’ve heard you’re a big fan of horror star Robert Englund?
GDL: He was my childhood favorite villain. I got hold of some Nightmare on Elm Street movies when I was under the age of 10, but now I’m in complete awe. He inspired me to be an actor, I think.

AE: That’s interesting. They’re actually doing a remake of the original. I don’t know if you knew that.
GDL: Really? Who’s playing it?

AE: I’m not sure who’s doing it, but maybe that’s your chance to play a bad guy?
GDL: Oh, yeah – that would be awesome!

Next page! Ianto action figures!