Biological and chosen families.
When it comes to storytelling, you could say thatGreg Berlantihas a punch in.
At the moment, the clearly indefatigable Berlanti currently has a stunning number of shows in production: 17.
Photo Illustration by Braulio Amado for EW; Photo by Cody Pickens
(Plus, just a shout out toEli Stone, because we loved it.)
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY:You pushed early in your career for a kiss between gay characters onDawson’s Creek.
As a 28-year-old kid inheriting this big show, did you have any fear about that?
Jack McPhee on ‘Dawson’s Creek’.The WB
GREG BERLANTI:I did not want that job to begin with.
[Laughs] So, I picked a cause that was near and dear to me.
They were like, “No, no, we’ll help you.”
Billy Porter (left) in The Broken Hearts Club.Everett Collection
At the time, I don’t think I was thinking much past just that moment.
It was just really lost without [creator] Kevin [Williamson].
Yeah, there was always a hesitancy.
FOX
There was always a sense of duality of “Will they accept us, but not?”
Do you remember any shows or movies that felt like positive modeling?
Longtime Companionwas so pivotal for me.
Annette Brown/The CW
I had a copy in college hidden in the box of another movie.
And I would watch it when no one was around.
I knew how important TV had been for me as a lifeline.
That first story wasThe Broken Hearts Club,right?You were working onDawson’sbut also writing that?
That was the thing.
That’s what we were told.
In that era, particularly actors were told you cannot come out.
Which is interesting given the number of straight actors inBroken Hearts Clubplaying gay men.
Do you think that would fly today when we justifiably ask who gets to tell which stories?
That’s definitely the conversation happening now.
I’m old enough to have witnessed all the changes in those conversations.
Now, nobody was right, but it was common.
Where is the LGBTQ representation in those films?
That still feels unabashedly and horribly like it felt in 2000.
I hope that there’s a real commitment over the next decade for more inclusion in that area.
It’s better for our storytelling.
It’s better for the audience.
We will have better stories if more people get to share their story.
Why has the concept of LGBTQ superheroes specifically been so important to you?
As an audience member, I’m yearning for the same kind of progress in movie theaters.
And that is one of the most gratifying if not the most gratifying aspects of this job.
If you remember who afforded you those opportunities, it’s a great way to pay it forward.
Who are some of the newer LGBTQ voices whose work you are enjoying?
I loveRyan O’Connell[of Netflix’sSpecial].
He’s such an incredible talent and voice.
He is on my list of storytellers that I’m glad that we have coming for tomorrow.
Another one isRebecca Sugar, who doesSteven Universe.
I can’t wait to see what she does next.
They can identify me as ablackfilmmaker if they want."
[Laughs] I’m glad that I said that.
That has not changed.
You have a record-breaking 17 shows in production now.
And now, getting to experience it as a full person.
That’s been the greatest change in my life and the one that I’m the most grateful for.
So, I’ve actually gotten to reap the rewards of other people’s creativity.
For more fromEntertainment Weeklys celebration of LGBTQ pop culture,order the June issue now.
