“The right person gets the job”: Luke Evans says he “wouldn’t have a career if gay guys played gay roles and straight roles,” while commenting on Hollywood casting calls
Luke Evans has commented on the argument about whether only gay actors should play gay roles, saying he would have “no career” if that rule were applied universally.
The 43-year-old actor – known for his roles in ‘The Hobbit’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Nine Perfect Strangers’ said talent should be the most important criteria for an audition.
Luke, who is gay, said he’s only played gay characters twice in his career and would have barely worked if actors were cast based on their sexual orientation.
Interview: Luke Evans has commented on the argument that only gay actors should play gay roles, saying he would have “no career” if that rule were applied universally
Speaking to The Telegraph, the movie star was asked about his thoughts on Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies, who said only gay people should play gay roles.
Luke replied, “I’m not sure about that. Gay people have certainly missed out on gay roles. Russell spoke very powerfully and passionately on this point. I get it and I totally agree that things need to change.
“But from my point of view: First of all, I wouldn’t have made a career if gay people played gay roles and straight people played straight roles. I would have played two roles out of the 36 projects I’ve worked on or whatever [the number] is.’
Expanding his view, Luke said it should be so that “the right person gets the job.” Talent and skill, and a bit of luck and timing… That should be why you get a job. It shouldn’t have anything to do with anything else.’
Open: The 43-year-old actor, known for his roles in ‘The Hobbit’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Nine Perfect Strangers’, said talent should come first in the cast
Luke recently said he plans to have children within the next five years by the age of 48 – after revealing his romance with graphic designer Fran Tomas this summer.
He told the Times: “I would love to have my own children within the next five years, but if that happens I have to accept that I would not be a young father.
“I want to be an active father, one who really cares and isn’t limited in what he can do.”
The star, who publicly came out as gay in 2002, said he was afraid to tell his Jehovah’s Witness parents, Yvonne and David, about his sexuality as a teenager.
He said: “I wouldn’t have had a career if gay people played gay roles and straight roles. I would have played two roles out of the 36 projects I’ve worked on.
He explained: “As a teenager, I was afraid to tell my parents I was gay. Times were different back then, especially with a religious background.
“It can be lonely and confusing not being able to speak up during such formative years.
“I take my hat off to parents like mine who accept and love their children unconditionally. You can overcome the challenges you face when you are happy with yourself.”
In May it was reported that Luke had found love with Spanish graphic designer Fran after the two met a year earlier while he was working in Australia.
Relationship: Luke recently said he plans to have children within the next five years by the age of 48 – after revealing his romance with graphic designer Fran Tomas this summer