Tom Blyth on Embracing His Closeted Gay Role in ‘Plainclothes’

Although Tom Blyth gained prominence in the blockbuster “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” directed by Francis Lawrence, it doesn’t imply that this talented British thespian is abandoning independent cinema.

In Carmen Emmi’s first directorial effort, Blyth plays Lucas, a covert police officer in the ’90s Syracuse, NY, who becomes romantically involved with Andrew (Russell Tovey), a person he is investigating as part of an operation targeting gay men for improper behavior in a shopping mall restroom.

During our recent Zoom interview for ‘Just for EbMaster’ podcast, Blyth mentioned that there’s something truly invigorating about a film as raw and unpolished as ‘[Plainclothes]’. He explained that he’s worked on several such productions in the past couple of years intentionally. This type of filmmaking brings back the initial excitement that drew him to this field. It’s like being a 15-year-old kid again, making zombie films with my neighbor using a camcorder in our backyard.

“Plainclothes” premieres at Sundance on Jan. 26.

Not that Blyth would mind returning for the upcoming “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” sequel.

Rachel Zegler and I won’t appear in this one as it’s set 45 years after ours, which makes me feel sad because I miss everyone connected with the project,” he notes, further mentioning, “I did message Francis recently, and he said, ‘I miss you.’ To which I replied, ‘Modern prosthetics are quite advanced. It wouldn’t be too challenging to make me look 65.’

You’ll find that this dialogue has been condensed and polished for brevity and understanding. For a more comprehensive listen, tune into the “Just for EbMaster” podcast.

How did the “Plainclothes” script come to you?

During the filming of Season 2 of my TV series “Billy the Kid,” I found myself in Calgary, Canada. Among the numerous scripts I had been going through, there was one particular one that caught my attention immediately. As I read it, I exclaimed, “Wow, this is amazing! I have to be part of this!” My co-pilot, Carmen, braved a snowstorm to join me in Calgary to discuss the script. Over dinner and drinks, we discovered a strong creative synergy that left us both saying, “Let’s work on this project together!

What did you know about these the sting operations?

Until the 1950s, I had been aware that it existed, but erroneously believed it had become extinct. However, one of the first things Carmen did was share an article from the early 2000s that sparked the story, and I was taken aback by how contemporary it seemed.

Did you do a chemistry read with Russell?

Carmen and I collaborated on developing the script and characterizing Lucas, and we jointly constructed these elements. While pondering potential actors to portray Andrew, I suggested Russell Tovey to Carmen via text, to which they replied, “He’s on my wishlist. Let’s consider offering it to him.” And that’s exactly what we did, and he accepted the offer. We conducted a chemistry test using Zoom, but I believe Carmen had already sensed that Tovey would be ideal for the role. The test was more of a formality than anything else.

How much did you make use of an intimacy coordinator for your sex scenes with Russell?

In our production, Joey Massa served as an exceptional intimacy coordinator. I’ve collaborated with numerous intimacy coordinators, and they all have been exceptional. Nowadays, their presence is often requested even for scenes that aren’t particularly intimate, as there’s a growing emphasis on ensuring everyone’s safety and comfort. In this case, however, the intimacy was truly profound. It was intensely personal and vivid, and Joey excelled in guiding us through it. The process felt natural, as if we had been rehearsing organically. Russell and I both felt empowered to lead the choreography, which I believe is crucial for creating an authentic and comfortable atmosphere. The best results are achieved when actors feel confident enough to take charge of the choreography and make it feel genuine.

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2025-01-23 20:17