Queer As Folk is back, over 20 years after Russell T. Davies first launched the series at the turn of the millennium. Peacock has introduced a new generation of characters who are meant to speak to the growing pains of a new set of LGBTQ audiences. Created by Stephen Dunn (Little America), the latest iteration follows a group of friends living in New Orleans and working their way through a tragedy - inspired by the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting - that has deeply affected their circle.
Not only is the cast is full of LGBTQ characters and actors, but the writers and staff are part of the community as well as committed to telling authentic stories that resonate with young adults today. Two of main characters viewers meet over the course of Queer As Folk season 1 are Brodie (Devin Way, Grey's Anatomy) and Noah (Johnny Sibilly, Hacks). Though they were once together and feelings still linger, live has pulled them in very different directions and towards different people.
Screen Rant spoke to Sibilly and Way about what it means to have representation behind the scenes as well as onscreen, how Queer As Folk introduces viewers to Brodie and Noah's complicated dynamic, and the high honor of having Kim Cattral play your mother.
Screen Rant: I love Brodie, and I love that you get to work with Kim Cattral. What is that experience like, Devin?
Devin Way: Incredible! If there's one thing that Kim has taught me, it's that the way you're perceived in terms of your character and who you are as a person are two completely different things. I expected when I met Kim that she was going to be this sassy, loud [person], and she is so sweet. The way she talks is so delicate, and she loves to play. Honestly, it's like meeting someone that embodies a warm hug.
She's everything you think she is. So, know that when you meet her, your dreams are gonna come true.
Johnny, Noah and Brodie have a very complicated dynamic, and we meet them right in the middle of it. Can you talk about that bond between them, from Noah's perspective?
Johnny Sibilly: I think that Noah and Brodie's relationship reminds me of a lot of queer relationships that I've been in, where there's a lot of love and a lot of commonality. But there's also a lot of drama and a lot of stuff that isn't said that probably should be if they were both in a very nice, healed place.
But I do think, at the core of it, they're very important to each other. And I think they just have a hard time expressing that in a way that is healthy.
I love this trio going on with Brodie, Ruthie, and Shar. What would you call this dynamic, where you're besties with Ruthie and Shar is not always here for it?
Devin Way: One of my favorite relationships in the show is the one with Jesse James Keitel, who plays Ruthie, because it mirrors our relationship in real life. I don't know what I would call it; I would just say it's when you are married to your best friend, and then that best friend gets a partner. We've all kind of experienced that. It's all about either Brodie's acceptance in losing what Ruthie meant to him, while also trying to learn how to accept Shar.
Johnny Sibilly: Or Shar accept Brodie.
Devin Way: I think it's more so that Brodie gets to accept Shar.
Johnny, I love that the writers’ room is all LGBTQ. How do you think that opens up the door to more authentic storytelling, for both your character and the show?
Johnny Sibilly: For me, it's just one of those things - you know that you're being taken care of. I never have to worry that the storylines or the things that these characters go through will be like, "Huh? We don't talk like that. We don't go through that." Sometimes you do feel that in other shows - none that I've been on, but that is something that you think about.
And it is just so nice, because representation is not just seeing us onscreen. Representation is the people that you don't ever see; the people that are the grips, the prop masters - who are also queer on our show - that are super important to the whole big picture and just make it more authentic storytelling all around.
Queer As Folk Synopsis
Set in New Orleans, the series is a re-imagining of the 1999 Channel 4 series created by Russell T Davies, which follows a diverse group of friends who find their lives transformed in the aftermath of a tragedy.
Check out our other interviews with Queer As Folk stars CG & Jesse James Keitel and Fin Argus & Ryan O’Connell, as well as creator Stephen Dunn and showrunner Jaclyn Moore.
More: Queer As Folk Reboot Cast & Character Guide
All 8 episodes of Queer As Folk season 1 are currently available to stream on Peacock.