Tom Hollander discusses ‘liberal’ sexuality after White Lotus and Feud gay roles
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Tom Hollander, the renowned British actor known for his roles in films such as Pride & Prejudice and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, as well as TV shows like The Night Manager and The Thick Of It, has recently addressed his sexuality after taking on high-profile gay roles in The White Lotus and Feud.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Hollander revealed that he believes he has been cast in gay roles because “apparently when I play these characters, it’s believable.” He further shared, “For some reason, who I am as a person allows me to present as gay. Yeah, sometimes I do present as gay.” However, he emphasized that his own experiences exploring his sexuality are “sufficiently liberal” and not anyone’s business.
Hollander, who welcomed his first child with his long-term partner Fran Hickman last year, acknowledged the historic struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community. He recognized that while his own experiences may not align with that “difficulty,” he believes his role as an actor is to approach these topics with seriousness. He stated, “You have to be able to imagine something and do it with seriousness and take it seriously, approach it with sufficient sort of solemnity and plausibility, and then you imaginatively put yourself into those shoes.”
The actor also expressed his views on representation in the industry, advocating for more opportunities for underrepresented actors. He believes that there are “types of actors that have not been given sufficient chances to play great parts,” and he hopes to see this change in the future. However, he emphasized that actors should be able to play roles that are different from their own identities because that is the essence of art.
Hollander’s portrayal of Quentin in the second season of The White Lotus garnered attention for a jaw-dropping scene involving a gay sex scene with an unexpected twist. The character Tanya, played by Jennifer Coolidge, stumbles upon Quentin in bed with Jack, who viewers had been led to believe was Quentin’s nephew. The scene left fans surprised and confused, but Hollander praised it for its authenticity. He explained, “There is fantasy, and you’re going through your head going: ‘I hope I look good.’ But when they say action, in a way that goes, and you actually just find yourself thinking: ‘I want this to be a true representation of an intimate moment between two people.’ You just want to do it right.”
In conclusion, Tom Hollander’s candid interview sheds light on his experiences playing gay characters and his thoughts on representation in the entertainment industry. He believes that his ability to convincingly portray these roles stems from his understanding and acceptance of his own sexuality. While he acknowledges the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, he believes that as an actor, his responsibility is to approach these topics with seriousness and authenticity. With his upcoming role as Truman Capote in Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans, Hollander continues to challenge himself and push boundaries in his career.
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