Torchwood star Gareth David-Lloyd has responded to It’s A Sin creator Russell T Davies’ explanation that he chose to cast gay actors in the new series to ensure they would deliver an ‘authentic’ portrayal of the characters.
Earlier this week, Russell conducted an interview with Radio Times where he stressed his view on the importance of casting gay actors in gay roles.
The screenwriter said: ‘I’m not being woke about this… but I feel strongly that if I cast someone in a story, I am casting them to act as a lover, or an enemy, or someone on drugs or a criminal or a saint… they are not there to ‘act gay’ because ‘acting gay’ is a bunch of codes for a performance. It’s about authenticity, the taste of 2020.’
Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, which was also created by Russell, starred Gareth as Ianto Jones, who had a romantic relationship with the show’s lead, Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman).
Gareth, who has been married to his partner Gemma James for 11 years, responded to Russell’s comments on Twitter, referencing the fact that he also played a gay character in Russell’s 2004 TV series Mine All Mine.
‘Ianto’s sexuality was complex but interesting that I got the role partly based on the strength of a gay character I played for @russelldavies63 in ‘Mine All Mine’. But then I suppose we all make mistakes,’ Gareth tweeted.
Russell is yet to respond to Gareth’s tweet, which he was tagged in.
On Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain, Piers Morgan stated his belief that it’s a ‘preposterous’ notion that only gay actors should play gay characters.
Writer and LGBTQ+ activist Benjamin Butterworth rebuked this statement, saying: ‘I don’t accept that because what I’m saying is there’s a reason why gay actors are underrepresented and that’s why they should get these roles and be better at them.’
Earlier this week, Torchwood star John broke the hearts of fans of the sci-fi series by revealing he had paid a visit to the real-life shrine dedicated to Ianto.
After Ianto was killed in the third series, a shrine was created for the character in Cardiff, Wales, which has remained in place for the past 12 years.
John shared a selfie on social media of himself wearing a mask in front of the shrine, writing in the caption: ‘Out for my walk and nobody knew it was me paying some respect to #Ianto.’
Gareth responded on Twitter, stating: ‘I did, you woke me up. I was under the bench.’
It’s A Sin airs on Friday January 22 at 9pm on Channel 4.
Credit: Original article published here.The post Torchwood’s Ianto Jones responds to Russell T Davies’ comments on only gay actors playing gay characters appeared on My Celebrity Life.