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Queer as Folk (U.K.) |
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"Queer as Folk" -- just renewed by Showtime for a second season -- is now an unignorable fixture on America's cultural landscape. But what about the original version? Many fans who've seen film festival screenings or bootleg versions will tell you that it was much better. Now you can see for yourself.
From the first graphic love scene, involving a 15-year-old, the
series's nude sex scenes, provocative dialogue, and blunt portrayal of
Manchester's gay community shocked British viewers. While a few
homophobic U.K. critics lambasted it, millions more fans tuned in.
An accomplished TV writer who was always complimented on his depiction
of gay characters in mainstream scripts, gay writer Russell T. Davies was
happy to work with Channel Four, which he says "has a lot of money and
a lot of freedom."
That included the freedom to write campy lines worthy of an episode of
"Absolutely Fabulous." ("If you fancy a threesome at this time of night, don't start getting choosy about which particular three!")
Here's a primer for new fans:
The title: a cross between contemporary slang "queer as fuck" and the
antiquated saying "There's Nowt So Queer As Folk," implying that the
strangest among us are our own.
Nathan (Charlie Hunnam)
-- Defiant teen in love with Stuart
"Queer as Folk" is Hunnam's first major role. Previous BBC
television credits include "Byker Grove" and "Microsoap." Upcoming film: "Whatever Happened to Harold Smith?"
Stuart (Aiden Gillen)
-- Handsome A-Gay and club circuit regular
Since starring in the first series of "QAF," Aidan Gillen spent most
of last year filming in America. Other film credits: "Mojo," "Some
Mother's Son," "Circle of Friends," "The Low Down" and "Buddy Boy." TV roles include "Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha" and "Safe."
Vince (Craig Kelly)
-- Closeted supermarket employee and sci-fi fan
Apart from "Queer as Folk," Craig Kelly's previous television
credits include "Casualty," "A Touch of Frost," "Children of the New
Forest" and "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles." Films include
"Undertaker's Paradise," "Killing Joe," "When Saturday Comes" and
"Titanic."
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