Watch: Jesse Williams Talks Being Straight, Playing Gay in Broadway's 'Take Me Out'

Jesse Williams is addressing the ongoing debate about straight actors playing gay characters in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly.

In Broadway's "Take Me Out," Williams plays a mixed race baseball player who rocks the sport after becoming the first active player to come out. The decision sparks homophobia and racism from his own teammates.

About the role, Williams says it is meant to "generate conversation."

"Look, I'm Black. We've had white people playing our roles ad nauseam for centuries. Women weren't even allowed to be on the stage until this last century," Williams told EW. "Men played all the roles. We have a white Prince of Persia and Last Samurai and every other role, so I get that underrepresentation. And people want to be able to be counted and be included."

On the subject of being straight and playing gay, Williams said art should be a place to explore beyond the limited experiences of the artist. As an example, Williams shares that the play is written by a Jewish man about a Black character.

"Everybody's involved in trying to make art and we have to have the ability to speak and express our interest and explore ideas beyond the limits of our own singular lives," says Williams, explaining that he hopes his decision to take on the role will be met with warm regards.

"Darren is somebody who is some somewhat unique in that he's biracial and straight presenting," Williams explains about his character in the show. "He doesn't consider himself part of the gay community, and he's struggling with his own identity and sense of awareness there. I don't claim to have a solve for all of it. I'm deeply sensitive to it. And I'm asking all the questions I possibly can and figuring out the best way to be in service to the material."