Star Wars’ Ewan McGregor defends playing gay role in new Ryan Murphy Netflix show – Digital Spy

Star Wars actor Ewan McGregor has defended taking on the role of gay fashion designer Halston in Ryan Murphy’s new Netflix miniseries.

In Halston, McGregor plays the mononymous designer who built up a fashion empire in the 1970s while also living a hedonistic lifestyle at legendary New York City nightclub Studio 54.

However, McGregor’s casting in the series has caused more discussion about the subject of straight actors taking on LGBTQ+ roles.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, McGregor was reminded of a quote from Pose actor Billy Porter who said in 2019: “If ‘flamboyantly’ wasn’t in the description of the character, no one would see me ever for anything.

“Straight men playing gay – everyone wants to give them an award.”

Addressing Porter’s comments, McGregor said: “I hear the discussion and I respect both sides of it, I really do.

“I haven’t walked in Billy Porter’s shoes. I don’t know what it’s like to lose out parts when you might feel it’s to do with your sexuality. So I can only respect his point of view.”

McGregor went on to say he decided that “if it had been a story about Halston’s sexuality more, then maybe it’s right that gay actors should play that role.

“But in this case – and I don’t want to sound like I’m worming out of this, because it’s something I did think a lot about – I suppose ultimately I felt like it was just one part of who he was.”

Halston premieres on May 14 on Netflix.

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