For Jess McLeod, authentic queer representation isn’t about creating the perfect character. It’s about creating something with integrity.
After a year of big hits, including starring in a movie directed by Jane Schoenbrunn, Teen sex and death at Miasma campjoins Season 2 on AMC boldnessstarring alongside Bob Odenkirk. usuallyand is working to expand its acclaimed short films. she is non-binary The actor, author and filmmaker says he’s drawn to stories with contradictions rather than certainty.
“I love that they made this non-binary character incredibly ethically questionable,” McLeod told Gatey of their role in the dark comedy series. boldness. “I think it’s really fun because the representation of non-binary people often feels like we’re paragons of ethics.”
Created by Jonathan Glatzer. boldness It focuses on the outsized egos of Silicon Valley’s tech elite, following a powerful executive whose personal life begins to disintegrate as his influence over the future continues to grow. Starring Sarah Goldberg (industry), Zach Galifianakis (the hangover), Lucy Punch (bad teacher), Simon Helberg (big bang theory).
McLeod said he was particularly excited to see non-binary characters exist in a morally confusing world, rather than being portrayed as someone with all the answers.
“Playing a character who is non-binary is cool, but also incredibly complex in how you approach the choices they make,” they said.
Embracing the same nuances has shaped McLeod’s work behind the camera.
From personal stories to feature films
Executive producers are Bob Odenkirk and Jane Schoenbrun. she is non-binary The work was inspired by McLeod’s own experiences. This short film follows Max and his cisgender boyfriend Jake as their relationship begins to rift after Max’s surgery on the top of his head. McLeod wrote, directed and stars in the film, which premiered earlier this year before film festival screenings began.
Development is currently underway to expand to a functional version.
Looking back on the story several months later, McLeod says his perspective on them has changed dramatically.
“I think I gained more perspective on my shortcomings within that dynamic,” they said. “When I was editing the short story, I think I thought, ‘Oh, I’m just as bad as him.'”
This feature takes the story in a new direction rather than simply expanding on the original premise.
“Essentially… it’s a romantic comedy about these two people trying to figure out how to define themselves outside of their relationship, and then maybe in some ways getting back together,” McLeod said. “It’s a happy ending.”
growing story
When McLeod revisited the stories, he realized they were confronting the assumptions they still held about their identities.
“I’m non-binary, but I still think very dualistically,” they said. “So I’m trying to forget about it.”
That realization became one of the driving ideas behind this feature. McLeod hopes audiences, especially queer people who are still exploring their identities, will feel welcomed rather than judged.
“I don’t understand it at all, so I hope this feature is appealing to people who don’t understand everything yet,” they said. “The more honest I am about it, the more people are willing to be honest about their insecurities.
“I think we all make the same mistakes, but we try.”
A big year for queer storytelling.
McLeod’s breakout year also included a memorable appearance at Schonbrunn Palace Teen sex and death at Miasma campthe filmmaker’s creepy queer slasher that received rave reviews at the Cannes Film Festival. The bloody horror satire, starring Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson, reimagines the fictional slasher series through a queer lens, with McLeod joining a cast filled with LGBTQ+ favorites including Jasmine Savoy Brown and Jack Heaven.
And if you’re a fan of AMC boldnesswe have good news. This dark satire has officially been renewed for a second season, which is currently in production. McLeod couldn’t reveal much about what’s to come, but he did offer one tease.
“If you thought the first season was dark, season two is even worse,” they said.
Despite landing roles in some of the year’s most talked-about queer projects, McLeod says the momentum still feels surreal.
“I hope we can continue to do more things,” they said with a laugh. “That’s the dream, that they’ll let me go out and do things and work with more cool people.”
Source: Gayety – gayety.com
