April 28, 2021
Straight Actor Ewan McGregor Was Producer Ryan Murphy's First Choice to Play Halston
Emell Adolphus READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Actor Ewan McGregor is set to play gay fashion icon Halston in the Netflix miniseries of the same name. And although the actor identifies as straight, he reportedly was producer Ryan Murphy's first choice to take on the role of Roy Halston Frowick.
Murphy told Vogue recently that McGregor was his "only choice" for Halston. "The thing that Ewan got about Halston was that Halston had a vision in his mind of who he wanted to be in life. He was self-created... "Ewan really connected with the pain of Halston and the longing of Halston, and how confusing it is to have to be an artist and a businessman at the same time. Other things as well–the power of a muse, for example."
As described in a press release, the series takes place during the '70s and '80s as Halston (played by McGregor) "leverages his single, invented name into a worldwide fashion empire that's synonymous with luxury, sex, status, and fame."
About the opportunity, McGregor told the The Hollywood Reporter that he now has the career that he has always wanted and sees a little bit of himself in the late designer.
McGregor says, "It's about a man, a creative person, who believes absolutely in what they are and who they are." Who they are extends not only to his sexuality, McGregor also added as he defended being a straight actor playing a gay character during the interview.
"If it had been a story about Halston's sexuality more, then maybe it's right that gay actors should play that role," McGregor told THR. "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 May 14 on Netflix, and Murphy has been teasing the show with Polaroids of cast members.
Will you be watching?
