Jonathan Groff on ‘Looking’: ‘It’s started a conversation’

Jonathan Groff has spoken about the impact Looking had during its first season.

The actor – who plays Patrick on the HBO series – said that the show “started a lot of people talking” about what being gay means in today’s world.

Speaking to Attitude, he said: “I think Looking started a lot of people talking, gay and straight, about what it means to be gay, and what it means to be gay now and how gay people should be represented. [HBO] were interested in the conversation that the show began.”

Looking was met with mixed reviews from critics when it premiered in January and debuted to low ratings, but the show’s following picked up as the season progressed.

The show will return for a second season next year, with Russell Tovey upgraded to a series regular.

Meanwhile, the 29-year-old actor also discussed his past relationship with Star Trek star Zachary Quinto, which attracted a lot of interest from the media before they split early last year.

“We met and we were dating but we just never thought of the outside industry,” he said of the public interest in their relationship. “It was more that we just connected as people and it just so happened that we were both actors.

“When we were together we were just together. I’m not in touch with the tabloid pictures. I’m aware that they exist and friends would tell me, ‘oh, I saw a picture of you two today’ but I’d tell them I don’t actually look at it.

“Part of it is an effort to just live my life and not think of anything that’s happening outside of me and another person. I think that was the case with Zach,” he added.

Read the full interview with Jonathan in Attitude’s 20th Birthday Issue. The actor features on one of five collectible covers, alongside pop icon Kylie Minogue, Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, EastEnders’ Danny Dyer and Sam Strike, and McBusted’s Harry Judd.

The print issue is in shops now – including, once again, at WHSmiths. It’s also available to download to your iPad or tablet device now.

> Click here to download the digital version for your iPad or tablet
> Click here to have the physical copy delivered to your door – and pick the cover of your choice!