Queerty blog found an interesting interview at gay South African site Mamba with Noah's Arc lead Darryl Stephens and I found it via AfterEtton.com. Stephens claims in the interview that he's through playing gays for a while (he says it's a "moratorium"), and then goes on to explain why he and his cast do not discuss their sexualities publicly:
"The one thing I can say is that the straight actors on this show [Noah’s Arc] are not saying "we’re straight, playing gay". In the same way that the gay actors aren’t saying "we’re gay". No-one [on the show] is talking about their personal lives. We sat down – all the actors sat down – and said that the straight actors are not going to get all the press because they’re being “so brave” in playing gay."
In addition to the title character on "Arc," Stephens plays gay in the current release "Boy Culture" and had a role in the comedy "Not Just Another Gay Movie."
Stephens later notes that he's of course up for a movie version of Arc, adding, "Noah is a great character for me. A lot of people relate to him – he’s a gift. I won’t give up playing this character."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 3:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

When actor Darryl Stephens and I chatted earlier this week, I mentioned that I had seen him in a small role on ABC's breakout hit "Ugly Betty" awhile back. It was one of those blink-and-you-might-miss-him appearances and nothing like his role on Logo's "Noah's Arc" where he is the title character.
But even having a small role on a network TV show had its perks: "I love 'Ugly Betty,' I love that show. It was great to be on that set, it was a great experience. It was also interesting to be a day player and have a trailer four times the size of mine on 'Noah's!'"
Stephens is one of the leads in "Boy Culture," out next month, will star in a "Noah's Arc" feature film, and had a fun part in the comedy "Another Gay Movie" last fall.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Was interviewed Darryl Stephens this morning for a freelance piece on his upcoming movie "Boy Culture" but wanted to ask him some "Noah's Arc" related questions for the readers of "Out In Hollywood."
The actor, who plays the title role in the popular LOGO drama, is looking forward to getting started on it but could offer any plot points: “it's been announced and we're all working on deals now. I have no idea where the story is going to go. They are picking up where the second season left off. The network is very excited about it. I'm honestly excited to see how they tell the story in the structure of a feature film.”
It will be Logo's first big-screen effort and is set for release in 2008. Currently in development, the film will leave the door open for sequels, additional television seasons and specials.
“I don't know how to anticipate the response," Stephens says. "At this point, hopefully it will be a treat for the fans. There will be enough new stuff and new characters and enough exciting situations taking place that fans will really be able to sink their teeth into."
"Noah’s Arc" premiered on Logo in October 2005, just months after the launch of the network and season two premiered in August 2006. The show follows the lives and loves of four African-American gay men looking for love and signs of intelligent life in Los Angeles: Noah (Darryl Stephens), Chance (Doug Spearman), Alex (Rodney Chester) and Ricky (Christian Vincent). Jensen Atwood plays Wade, Noah's on-again, off-again boyfriend.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Wow! I did niot see this coming at all. For fans of "Noah's Arc," Logo's flagship series about four African-American gay friends in Los Angeles, we have been waiting for word on the show's third season and things seemed to be up in the air. Even cast members had no idea.
This morning comes word that "Noah's Arc" will be made into a theatrical film set for release in 2008! It will be Logo's first big-screen effort.Currently in development, the film is expected to pick up after the show’s second season cliffhanger finale and will leave the door open for sequels, additional television seasons and specials.
Brian Graden, the openly gay president of Logo says: “Noah’s Arc has one of the most intensely loyal fan bases in television and we’re thrilled to harness the power of film to let Patrik-Ian Polk continue the story he has so skillfully woven. “Noah’s Arc" has so many dimensions and possibilities, so advancing to the feature film format is an exciting way to motivate our loyal fans and engage an even wider audience.�?
"Noah’s Arc" premiered on Logo in October 2005, just months after the launch of the network and season two premiered in August 2006.  The show follows the lives and loves of four African-American gay men looking for love and signs of intelligent life in Los Angeles: Noah (Darryl Stephens), Chance (Doug Spearman), Alex (Rodney Chester) and Ricky (Christian Vincent).
Says Polk. “Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined this little independent show in movie theatres!  Hats off to MTV Networks and Logo for believing in us enough to take Noah to that next level.�?

Personally, I.Can't. Wait.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 8:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Two of the stars of Logo's "Noah's Arc" were on hand at the "Wedding Wars" premiere last week and it has taken me this long to put together a posting. I am one busy gay dude. I still have about five interviews from the Ribbon of Hope Celebration the week before with "Dante's Creek" stars and others so some treats are in store.
So, first, highlights from my chats with the talented and very sweet Darryl Stephens (Noah) and Jensen Atwood (Wade) who play star-crossed lovers who may or may not find lasting happiness together.
"I hope they never get back together because that's what people want to see and we should disappoint them as often as we can!" Stephens (left) said, only half-joking. "We could be like Bruce Willis and Cybil Sheperd in "Moonlighting."
But whatever happens, Stephens thinks it's great that "Arc" and other shows are featuring gay characters and storylines without much controsversy.
"It's interesting the way it's becoming normal finally for Americans to see gay people on television which is great," he said. "Remember when you couldn't see black people on television? Let's get over it and include the culture. America is so diverse and there's so much going on. Let's have that reflected in the media and on television. It's about time."
For Atwood, "Arc" has given him an opportunity to play something else other than roles many black actors get cast in: a pimp in "Medium," a gang member in "Heist" and most recently, a gang member named "Snoop" on an episode of NBC's "Las Vegas" who "gets to rough Josh Dxxx up a bit."
He's grateful for the work but wants more parts like Wade on "Arc" which casts him as a screenwriter.
"A full-blown, emotional character, not just angry black guy," Atwood said. "It's definitely given me a foundation in the business. People can see my work and they can see what I do. But as far as Hollywood knocking down my door or Hollywood throwing me any parts, I'm still auditioning as I always have."
He also hopes to release a CD by the end of next year that he says is R&B, hip hop flavor. He is writing some of the songs and has recorded two of them already. "Hopefully my fans are my fans and they'll follow my career and anything that I put out they'll watch or listen to."
As for Stephens, he says both actors are awaiting word on the future of the series: "Hopefully there will be a season three of 'Noah's Arc.' It has not been announced yet, we're still waiting to hear. I believe we're supposed to know by Christmas. We shall see."
Stephens had a small role on a recent episode of ABC's "Ugly Betty" and has had a string of strong performances in recent gay indie films including "Another Gay Movie" and "Boy Culture." I saw him in both and he was terrific in each movie.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

No one can tell Darryl Stephens that portraying a gay man in movies and on television is professionally limiting. The actor, the title character in the hit Logo series "Noah's Arc," is not only beginning his second season on the show (the first came out on DVD this month), but he's also one of the main stars of film festival hit "Boy Culture" which will hit theaters this fall and appears in the current theatrical comedy "Another Gay Movie."

But in an interview posted today on AfterElton.com, Stephens is modest about his current hot streak.

"The only reason I'm in "Boy Culture" is that the director of "Noah's Arc" [Patrik-Ian Polk] knows Q. Allan Brocka," he said. "Allan was trying to cast that role black and couldn't find anyone. He mentioned that to Patrik, who said that he thought he had someone who would be really good, [although] Patrik was a little hesitant to hand me over. It just so happened that the line producer on "Boy Culture" was co-producing "Another Gay Movie," and she called me about an assistant director that she was interested in hiring that I worked with on the pilot. In our conversation she asked me if I had been in to read for Todd [Stephens, director of Another Gay Movie], and I said, “Who's Todd? I don't know anything about this.�? She said, “Come in and read for this role.�? It was completely about who I knew and who happened to mention me in conversation."

On being a gay, African-American performer: "I don't discuss my sexuality with the press. For me, it's a matter of you can see the work and make your own assumptions. But because of the stage I'm at in my career, I don't see any relevance in talking about my personal life."

On being considered a rising star:"It's almost surreal. [Laughs.] I drive a beat-up car in L.A. I'm not living a glamorous life at all. I've got my friends who I am very close to. In Los Angeles, Logo isn't that big — all the cable companies aren't carrying it yet. I feel like in Los Angeles, I still have some degree of anonymity. When I come to places like Philly or New York, where people are a lot more hip to the show, I feel like, “Wow! I am actually making an impact.�?

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 3:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Since I had only seen a few episodes on LOGO, was happy to get the entire box set of "Noah's Arc" on DVD the other day. It reminded me of "Sex in the City" which always seemed to be about four single gay men anyway, especially the sexually prolific Samantha. But "Noah's" is REALLY about four gay men, all African American, living in LA. We follow the daily lives of Noah, Alex, Ricky, and Chance through their relationships with their friends and lovers.

The title character of Noah (Darryl Stephens) is a struggling screenwriter who is in a new relationship with hunky Wade (Jensen Altwood), also a screenwriter. Ricky (Christian Vincent) owner a trendy clothing store on Melrose, is the Samantha of the group and Vincent is utterly terrific in the part. College professor Chance (Doug Spearman), recently married to a man with a young daughter, is the most straight-laced character which makes some of his attempts at being cool. Alex (Rodney Chester) is a campy HIV counselor who provides much of the comic relief. He is bold and sassy compared to Altwood's Noah who, quite frankly, was kinda dull at times. The character was not as flighty nor as fond of a series of unnattactive hairstyles in the original pilot which is also included in this DVD set.

BTW, a year ago, I bumped into a guy working the valet at an Outfest after-party on Melrose who looked just like Altwood. I said, "Hey! You look just like a guy on 'Noah's Arc!" He smiled and said, "That IS me." He was still making ends meet but I think the success of the show has probably changed that by now. Altwood told me he is straight but is comfortable playing a gay man on screen. No, he doesn't secretly enjoy the onscreen kisses with other men but he does do it convincingly. Hey, it's a living.

Anyway, I'm happy to see "Noah's Arc" about to begin its second season. Just a few summers ago, it was a show made on a shoestring that could only be seen online and the producers were hoping to gain enough attention to keep the show going. Looks like they have succeeded.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)