Gary Lamont plays Charles Fairburn in the hit Disney+ series ‘Rivals’. I recently had the pleasure of chatting to Gary for Queerly’s Stage and Screen podcast where we discussed his experience on the show. The actor offered fascinating insights into his role, the audition process, and life on set.
Lamont’s journey to becoming Charles Fairburn was nothing short of serendipitous. “It’s only happened a couple of times in my career where things have come in and I just went, I know this. I know that person. I know how to do this,” Lamont revealed about his audition. This instant connection with the character resonated with the production team, leading to his casting in this pivotal role.
Playing Charles in ‘Rivals’ was more than just another job for Lamont. Set in the late 1980s, the show tackles heavy themes, including the AIDS crisis. Lamont expressed the profound impact of this role, stating, “To portray gay men, part of the queer community, at that time in history… it’s such a privilege. It’s such a privilege purely because so many of them didn’t survive the decade.”
When asked what he’d like to bring back from the ‘Rivals’ set to 2024, Lamont humorously mentioned, “Probably those really rotten cocktails, you know, like what they’d have like Babycham and snowballs and all that. What even is a snowball? But it just sounds delicious, doesn’t it?”
In a lighthearted moment, Lamont shared the one piece of advice he’d give his character: “Get a haircut.” He added, “That little page boy, I used to love, I mean, I love it. I love everything about him, the look is delicious. But it’s like, that was the haircut that his mum gave him when he was like eight and he sort of kept it ever since.”
Reflecting on his growth as an actor, Lamont shared, “There’s a level of confidence that Rivals has bestowed on, certainly all of us, but certainly me. There’s a real confidence in being part of a huge ensemble.” He emphasised the importance of leading with kindness and recognising your value in a production, regardless of call sheet numbers or name placement.
Don’t miss the chance to see Gary Lamont’s powerful performance as Charles Fairburn in ‘Rivals’, streaming now exclusively on Disney+. For more behind-the-scenes insights and the full interview with Gary Lamont, tune in to Queerly’s Stage and Screen podcast.