Ryan O’Connell on Queer As Folk sex scene with Nyle DiMarco: ‘I felt totally safe with him’
Exclusive: "We made it fun, or as fun as it could be," says Ryan, whose character Julian meets Nyle's at a sex party in the revival
Words: Jamie Tabberer; pictures: By Aaron Jay Young/Attitude
Ryan O’Connell has praised his Queer as Folk co-star Nyle DiMarco for creating a “safe” environment when they filmed a sex scene together.
The Special actor plays one fo the main characters, named Julian, in the reimagining of Russell T Davies’ hit 90s show.
In episode four of the show, Julian is shown to hook up with Nyle’s character after the pair meet at a sex party.
“How dare you be a model and a good person!”
“I’d met him a few times before,” Ryan told Attitude. “We’d worked out at the same gym — that’s why we have the same body! He was a delight to work with. Sex scenes are never fun to do; they require a certain level of trust and vulnerability. But I felt totally safe with him.
“We made it fun, or as fun as it could be. He’s sweet, funny, smart. It’s so rude. I’m like: ‘How dare you be a model and a good person, and crazy intelligent and witty!’ It’s like: ‘Fuck off!’”
Ryan is best-known for writing and starring in the hit Netflix show Special. Speaking to Attitude about the programme last year, Ryan, who was born with cerebral palsey, said: “I feel like my sexuality as a disabled gay man has been, kind of, castrated by society, and I feel like, by me doing these sex scenes, it’s me being: ‘I dare you to erase me, bitch.
“I dare you to turn the channel, you’re gonna look at this body, honey, and you’re gonna feel things about it.’”
Queer as Folk will premiere in the UK on streaming service Starzplay on Friday 1 July.
The Attitude July/August issue featuring the cast of Queer As Folk is out now.