Its A Sin Director Calls The Reasons Straight Actors Never Play Gay Roles

Russel t Davies (Instagram @russeltdavies63)

JAKARTA - Russell T Davies says he wants a "real" gay representation on his TV show.

The former showrunner for television program Doctor Who is known for creating LGBT + TV, from Queer as Folk to Cucumber, and is gearing up to release his new drama It's a Sin.

This upcoming drama stars Years & Years singer Olly Alexander in the lead. This queer musician plays a gay teenager who moves to London before the outbreak of the AIDS crisis.

Speaking to Radio Times, the director explained that he thinks "authenticity" is key when playing the gay role.

"I'm not aware of this ... but I have a strong feeling that if I include someone in a story, I put them in as a lover, or an enemy, or someone who uses drugs or criminals or a saint ... They are not there for 'acting gay', because 'gay acting' is a piece of code for a show, "says Davies.

“It's about authenticity, the taste of 2020. You are not going to throw someone who is able-bodied and put them in a wheelchair, you will not blacken someone. Authenticity takes us to pleasant places, "he continued.

Davies has cast roles for many LGBT + actors in previous queer films - including Ben Whishaw in A Very English Scandal and Russell Tovey in Years and Years.