Exclusive: Nyle DiMarco praises Queer as Folk for spotlighting “overlooked” communities
Nyle DiMarco told GAY TIMES about what it was like to appear in Peacock’s “iconic” re-imaginging of Queer as Folk. Since making history as the first Deaf contestant to win America’s Next Top Model and Dancing with the Stars, DiMarco has since produced the Netflix short film Audible, as well as Deaf U – championing who he is and the communities he is part of along the way.
This year, he starred as Leo in the aforementioned series, a Deaf character who reads lips and signs to communicate. “It is quite funny reflecting on my childhood, how I avoided watching Queer as Folk and anything I could to prevent discovering my true self, only to end up on this iconic show,” the 33-year-old recently explained. “Anyway, the show is a re-imagination that is all-encompassing, reflecting what our generation sees on a daily basis.” The success of the original show spawned an American reboot that was set in Pittsburgh and aired on Showtime in the early 2000s.
Despite its ground-breaking nature at the time, it faced fierce criticism for primarily focusing on white characters and straight actors playing gay roles.
Peacock However, DiMarco praised 2022’s Queer as Folk for its “historic” amount of “diversity and inclusion”. He added: “In my opinion, this is a historic first as the show includes deaf and disabled queer people — an overlooked community when it comes to diversity and inclusion dialogue in Hollywood.” Set in New Orleans, the new rendition follows a diverse group of friends who see their lives turned upside down when they experience a devastating tragedy. Queer as Folk is streaming now on Peacock in the United States and Starzplay in the UK. DiMarco’s new book, Deaf Utopia: A Memoir―and a Love Letter to a Way of Life, is available
