19 Actors Who Got Naked for their First Queer Series Role
Many contemporary television and streaming series that incorporate queer characters will include exploration of their lives and romantic exploits. There are times when this exploration leads to revealing moments for both the character and actor. This week's listicle highlights nineteen actors that took on their first queer series role that also managed to get them out of their clothes. Leave a comment below if we missed any of your favorites. Warning: Spoilers (and Nudity) Ahead!
George Parker (Pennyworth)
Prior to his guest role on Shadow and Bone and his queer supporting role on Bodies, George Parker made his series debut on the crime drama Pennyworth, guest starring as Sam Shay in the series' third episode. He is introduced naked in bed, kicking off the episode's plot with his love interest Ian Thurso (Sam Hoare), an inventor who is targeted by dangerous forces and ultimately saved by leading man Alfred and his new ally Martha.
Erik Hernandez (Power Book II: Ghost)
Season 3 of the STARZ crime drama Power Book II: Ghost introduced Gordo, a new love interest for gay character Dru (Lovell Adams-Gray), helping him get over recent heartbreak. It was the first series role for Erik Hernandez and he wasn't shy about showing off his body, getting a few rear nude scenes during his five-episode stint. Unfortunately for Gordo, his killing of Dru's father led to an unhappy end for him in his final nude scene.
Josh Pyman (Tiny Pretty Things)
After a villainous turn in one episode of Arrow, Josh Pyman took on the recurring queer role of Dev Ranaweera in the Netflix teen dance ballet drama Tiny Pretty Things, where he became a love interest for main character Shane (Brennan Clost) over the course of his five-episode stint. The advancement of the gay duo's romance included notable sex scenes, including one in episode 6 that featured the Australian actor's first nude scene.
Jay Jurden (High Maintenance)
Out comedian Jay Jurden is best known for his stand-up career and as a comedy writer. In 2020, he took on a guest role on the HBO comedy High Maintenance. Jurden played sex worker Travis in the Season 4 episode "Trick." Travis meets up with Matthew (Calvin Leon Smith) for a hook-up, soon learning that Matthew desires more than random paid sex. Jay got naked for the role, stripping down for the duo's sex scene during the episode.
Cody Fern (American Crime Story)
Australian actor Cody Fern has become well-known for his roles in various Ryan Murphy projects. His very first television role came in Murphy's American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace where Fern played David Madson, one of several victims of the unhinged Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss). The series chronicled how the two first become involved romantically. Fern appeared naked for a shower scene in episode 7.
Roque RuÃz (The Mess You Leave Behind)
Roque RuÃz made his series debut in the 2020 Netflix drama The Mess You Leave Behind, playing Roi a teen carrying a torch for his troubled best friend Iago (Arón Piper) who becomes a major suspect in the show's big mystery. The two got steamy in the shower and RuÃz later showed rear nudity for a locker room scene where Roi's towel gets snatched by Iago and tossed around among the other boys, leaving Roi upset and naked.
Fisayo Akinade (Banana)
Out UK actor Fisayo Akinade is best known for his role as supportive teacher Mr. Ajaye on the acclaimed Netflix series Heartstopper. However, his first queer role came back in 2015 in the sex-positive UK miniseries Banana, which explored love and sex among an eclectic group of LGBTQ characters. This included Akinade's character Dean, who got multiple rear nude scenes as he dealt with his romantic entanglements on the series.
Billy Howle (Glue)
The UK mystery Glue featured Billy Howle in his first queer role. The 8-episode miniseries followed a group of teens in an isolated village rocked by the death of their fellow teen Cal (Tommy Knight). Billy showed rear and frontal nudity for the opening sequence showing his character James running naked on his way to meeting up with the other teens. It would later be revealed that James was in a secret romance with Cal before his death.
Dyllón Burnside (Pose)
Queer actor Dyllón Burnside first stepped into the Ryan Murphy television universe with his starring role on Pose. Burnside played Ricky, a young queer dancer who becomes romantically involved with main character Damon (Ryan Jamaal Swain) and later Pray Tell (Billy Porter) over the course of the three-season series. He also made his nudity debut, appearing in one brief rear nude scene during Season 3 of the acclaimed drama.
Omar Ayuso (Élite)
In 2018, out actor Omar Ayuso made his series debut playing closeted muslim teen Omar Shanaa on the long-running Netflix drama Élite. The series chronicled his conflicts with his father over his sexuality and religion, his storied romance with fellow teen Ander (Arón Piper), and his struggles against the elite culture clash. Omar's sexual exploits were also a major part of his journey, leading to some partial nudity in scenes with Ander.
Jordan Gavaris (Orphan Black)
After playing straight on the teen series Unnatural History, out actor Jordan Gavaris made his debut as a queer character for the Canadian science-fiction drama Orphan Black. Gavaris played Felix, the foster brother and confidante of leading lady Sarah. Felix's life as an artist was featured throughout the five-season series. His penchant for working on his art while naked led to several scenes that featured rear nudity from Gavaris.
Henry Eikenberry (Euphoria)
Henry Eikenberry made his television debut in 2022 on the acclaimed HBO drama Euphoria. Eikenberry took on the role of Derek for flashbacks to the younger days of the bisexual character Cal (Eric Dane). The friendship between Derek and teen Cal (Elias Kacavas) revealed simmering queer feelings between the inseparable duo. Eikenberry showed rear and frontal nudity in multiple scenes during episode three of the second season.
Elias Kacavas (Euphoria)
Elias Kacavas also made his television debut in 2022 on the acclaimed HBO drama Euphoria, appearing in flashbacks as a younger version of problematic queer dad Cal (Eric Dane) in episode three of the series' second season. Kacavas appeared as teen Cal who explored queer feelings for his best friend Derek (Henry Eikenberry). The role featured Kacavas fully nude, showing rear and frontal nudity in multiple flashback sequences.
Jason Gotay (Gossip Girl)
Stage actor Jason Gotay took on the gay role of teacher Rafa Caparros for the HBO Max reboot of Gossip Girl. For his first gay series role, Gotay's character engaged in an inappropriate relationship with queer student Max (Thomas Doherty), leading to major drama on the series. The romantic controversy led to several instances of nudity as the two crossed paths in a bathhouse and later had a confrontation in the school showers.
J. Alphonse Nicholson (P-Valley)
The STARZ drama P-Valley explored the lives of the performers and staff at a Mississippi strip club. Nonbinary club manager Uncle Clifford (Nicco Annan) quickly embarks on a clandestine romance with up-and-coming rapper Lil' Murda. Actor J. Alphonse Nicholson took on his first queer role playing the rapper whose sexuality evolves during the series. Nicholson also got naked on the series, showing rear nudity in multiple scenes.
Frankie J. Alvarez (Looking)
After a minor role on Smash, Frankie J. Alvarez debuted as gay character AgustÃn Lanuez on the HBO drama Looking. The series explored the complexities of gay relationships, centered around three gay friends. Like the other main characters on the series, AgustÃn's sexual escapades were also featured throughout the series. Frankie got naked for sex scenes as AgustÃn explored romance with Frank (O-T Fagbenle) and Eddie (Daniel Franzese).
Evan Mock (Gossip Girl)
Model Evan Mock made the transition to television with his starring role on the 2021 Gossip Girl reboot. His debut role as Aki Menzies included an exploration of Aki's sexuality given his rising interest in his classmate Max (Thomas Doherty). Despite Max's romantic drama with their teacher Rafa (Jason Gotay), it's the blossoming feelings between Aki & Max that drives the show's queer narrative. Mock got his first nude scenes on the series as well.
Cameron Monaghan (Shameless)
Cameron Monaghan played many roles before making his debut as gay teen Ian Gallagher on the US remake of Shameless. Over the course of 10 years, Ian came of age and settled into his sexuality, while also balancing his mental health struggles. Ian's long-standing relationship and later marriage to Mickey (Noel Fisher) would become a staple on the series. Monaghan was also not shy about showing off his body in several rear nude scenes, a first for his career.
Randy Harrison (Queer as Folk)
Randy Harrison made his television debut on the groundbreaking Canadian queer drama Queer as Folk in 2000, playing the role of gay teen Justin, who would embark on a storied affair with leading man Brian (Gale Harold) over the course of five seasons. Harrison stripped down on numerous occasions throughout the series' historic run as Justin's sex life received ample attention, translating to lots of skin being shown in the bedroom.
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