Alan on his latest show ‘Instinct’
Actor Alan Cumming, who is portraying what is believed to be the first gay lead character in a broadcast network drama, said on Saturday that it’s particularly important that the milestone is happening during President Donald Trump’s administration.
His crime procedural Instinct arrives at a time when Cumming said “the president is actively condoning, by his silence, violence and persecution against the LBGT community.”
He saluted CBS for committing to a series with a married gay couple. There was no immediate comment from the Trump administration.
While some might consider this a difficult time to give such a character a platform, Cumming said “I think it’s actually the perfect time. It needs to be done and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Cumming portrays Dr Dylan Reinhart, an author and university professor who is an expert on serial killers, and is asked by New York police to help solve a case where a criminal is basing his behaviour on one of his books. It’s based on James Patterson’s novel.
Cumming, who had a longtime role as a political strategist on the CBS drama The Good Wife, said he was attracted to playing the part of Reinhart because there are so many aspects to the character. The professor is a combination of a fuddy-duddy and a dandy with an expertise in extremely anti-social behaviour.
“There are so many different layers, and I guess the challenge is to make it into one character,” he said. ‘Instinct’ cast members Sharon Leal and Alan Cumming. —AP
The Year of Living Biblically, the series stars Jay R Ferguson as a modern New Yorker who decides to strictly follow the Bible in his daily life. He’s guided by a priest and a rabbi.
Executive producer Patrick Walsh told TV critics on Saturday that the show aims to “loosen up the conversation” about religion in a funny, respectful way.
Among the show’s producers is Johnny Galecki, who stars on The Big Bang Theory. Galecki said that presumptions that The Year of Living Biblically will be sarcastic about religion are wrong.
The hope is that viewers will find the comedy to be a “cool take” on religion, which is what a lot of people base their lives on, Galecki said. — AP
Johnny Galecki.