logo
Luke Fetherston Brings Depth To The ‘Gay Best Friend' Role In Amazon's New Rom-Com

Luke Fetherston Brings Depth To The ‘Gay Best Friend' Role In Amazon's New Rom-Com

Yahoo06-03-2025

When Luke Fetherston joined the cast of the romantic comedy 'Picture This,' he immediately saw his role as an opportunity to help 'validate younger LGBTQ+ people's experiences.' But he found himself relishing one of the perks of the job, too: the ability to bike to the film's London set from his home.
'My character's a gay man in his 30s living in [the London borough of] Hackney, and I'm all of those things. I didn't have to dig that deep,' the actor quipped. 'It's completely bizarre when you book a job and then you suddenly realize that you're 10 minutes down the road.'
'Picture This,' directed by Prarthana Mohan and due out Thursday on Amazon Prime Video, is an adaptation of the 2024 Australian comedy, 'Five Blind Dates.' The movie stars 'Bridgerton' actor Simone Ashley as Pia, a lovesick Londoner who is struggling to get her photography business off the ground despite some creative efforts spearheaded by Jay (Fetherston), her best friend and colleague.
At her younger sister's engagement party, Pia is told by a spiritual guru that the love of her life will be found among her next five dates. But Pia's plans to get back into the dating scene are thwarted by the unexpected reappearance of her ex-boyfriend, Charlie (Hero Fiennes Tiffin).
Fetherston, whose credits include The CW's 'Pandora' and the Apple TV+ series 'Still Up,' has spoken in previous interviews about being told to hide his sexuality in the early years of his career. He also understood that the character of Jay would be classified as yet another example of the 'gay best friend' trope, much like Rupert Everett's George in 'My Best Friend's Wedding' and Willie Garson's Stanford on 'Sex and the City.'
Ashley, who is of British-Indian heritage, has praised the ways in which 'Picture This' puts a multicultural twist on such rom-com traditions. As for Jay, Fetherston says the character felt more 'dimensional' than many of his cinematic or television predecessors.
'Jay is a constant for Pia and has this emotional arc that he goes on with her,' he explained. 'He really listens to Pia, whereas some of her family don't. He sees her and he appreciates what she's going through and is able to try and lift her out of the fog and send her on her way.'
'It's always nice for our community to see gay men playing gay roles,' he added. 'It's more visibility for us, which is only a good thing.'
Born in Scotland and raised in East London, Fetherston got his start in musical theater, performing in productions of 'Funny Girl' and 'Fiddler on the Roof,' among other shows.
In recent years, Fetherston has been mostly focused on TV, including a memorable role on Lifetime's 'Flowers in the Attic: The Origin.' Not only does 'Picture This' look poised to boost his Hollywood profile, but it also gave him a chance to reunite with Ashley, with whom he participated in an acting workshop more than a decade ago.
'When I read the script for my audition, I had an idea that it would be Simone,' he said. 'We hadn't seen each other for a long time, but we already had that familiarity. So the relationship between Jay and Pia just flourished on-screen, because we had that comfortability with each other.'
Viewers hoping to see more of Fetherston after 'Picture This' are in luck, as the actor also has a principal role on the third season of the Amazon Prime Video series 'The Wheel of Time,' due out March 13.
For now, Fetherston is enjoying being ensconced in the romantic comedy space, naming 'Clueless' and 'Notting Hill' as among his personal favorites. Still, he's hoping to expand the breadth of queer roles, whether in rom-coms or other genres, he tackles moving forward.
'I would like to play as many queer roles as possible because it's my lived experience ― it would be amazing to have that opportunity,' he said. 'It's amazing working with other actors who have different lenses on life, and I think absorbing all that in whatever way you can is beneficial.'
Watch the trailer for 'Picture This' below.
NBC's 'Brilliant Minds' Sets Itself Apart From Other Medical Dramas With A Tender Gay Love Story
This New Dark Comedy Series Finds Humor In 'Being A Gay Mess In Your 30s'
This Netflix And Broadway Star Shares More Than A Name With Her Breakout Role

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Famed Hudson Valley diner — believed to be the last of its kind still standing — asks $1.2M
Famed Hudson Valley diner — believed to be the last of its kind still standing — asks $1.2M

New York Post

timean hour ago

  • New York Post

Famed Hudson Valley diner — believed to be the last of its kind still standing — asks $1.2M

Talk about dishing up nostalgia. If the Elizaville Diner & Deli could talk, it would probably ask for a slice of cherry pie and a second take. This shimmering Hudson Valley roadside relic, with its candy-striped aluminum skin and curved Space Age roof, is not just a feast for the stomach — but also for the lens. Now listed for $1.2 million, the vintage 1956 Kullman Dutchess diner has become one of the Hudson Valley's most iconic set pieces, doubling as a time capsule and a business opportunity for the next proprietor with a taste for Americana. 16 Perched on a lakeside lot in Columbia County, the Elizaville Diner & Deli is a gleaming slice of 1950s Americana that's now for sale for $1.2 million. This Old Hudson 16 Originally built in 1956 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the Kullman Dutchess prefab diner was rescued from demolition and relocated to upstate New York in 2005. Elizaville Diner and Deli Located in Columbia County's hamlet of Elizaville, the 2-acre property includes the original prefabricated diner — thought to be the last of its kind still standing — and a separate, renovated deli structure overlooking a spring-fed quarry lake. Though both buildings are currently closed to the public, the site has continued to attract filmmakers, musicians and brands. Most notably, it served as the eerie backdrop for Jim Jarmusch's zombie flick 'The Dead Don't Die,' starring Bill Murray and Selena Gomez, and has made cameos in Apple TV+'s 'Brightside' and Rolling Stones-branded content. 'It's really a beautiful spot,' said Shaina Marron, the Houlihan Lawrence broker handling the listing. 16 It was painstakingly restored with original details like terrazzo floors, red vinyl booths, tabletop jukeboxes and a chrome soda fountain. This Old Hudson 16 The only known surviving example of its kind, the Elizaville Diner has since become a sought-after film and photography location, with credits including 'The Dead Don't Die' and Apple TV+'s 'Brightside.' This Old Hudson 16 Though it is currently no longer operating as a diner, the space has continued hosting private events and productions. This Old Hudson 'The owners basically just had a life change and they had to go back to their family … They really did a ton of amazing work on this space and just kind of really taking it to the next level.' The diner's story begins far from the Hudson Valley — back in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where it originally opened as the Eat Well Diner. Constructed in 1956 by Kullman Dining Car Company, it eventually fell into disrepair and was slated for demolition in the early 2000s to make way for a car dealership. That's when the former owners stepped in, rescuing the building just days before its scheduled teardown. 'They paid to have it brought up and kind of sited there and then dug out a full foundation and basement,' said Marron. 'Typically these diners would have just been on a slab. But this one has a full basement underneath it, which has additional storage and also provides the deck work.' 16 A scene from 'The Dead Don't Die,' from left: Danny Glover, Bill Murray and Adam Driver. ©Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection 16 The property spans 2 acres and includes a fully renovated adjacent deli building, both connected by a pass-through kitchen. This Old Hudson 16 A look inside the deli space connected to the historic vintage diner. This Old Hudson The relocation in 2005 involved disassembling the diner into three parts and trucking it across state lines — along with 22 counter stools (reportedly dug out from a dirt basement), original booths, Formica-topped tables and even a Jefferson Golden Hour Mystery Clock. Its smoke-stained brass interiors, once dulled by decades of coffee steam and cigarette smoke, revealed their true colors after restoration: blue and chrome, gleaming like new under the soft glow of retro pendant lighting. 'It's got a fully functional kitchen and all equipment comes with it. So it's kind of really ready to roll,' Marron said. Inside, every detail oozes mid-century charm: terrazzo flooring, red vinyl booths, tabletop jukeboxes and a full-service soda fountain behind the counter. 16 Several film and television shows have, and continue to, rent the space for production. The Elizaville Diner and Deli 16 Listing rep Shaina Marron of Houlihan Lawrence said the site is 'ready to roll,' with a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, and a full basement — a rare upgrade for a diner of its era. This Old Hudson 16 It also includes parking for over 40 cars and a grassy backyard that slopes down to a spring-fed quarry lake, offering potential for outdoor seating and live music. This Old Hudson 'It has the majority of the original details … a lot of really gleaming chrome aspects to it,' said Marron. The companion deli next door offers a checkerboard-tile aesthetic that wouldn't be out of place in a David Lynch dream sequence. The two buildings are connected through a back passthrough, allowing food service to flow between the diner and the deli's walk-in coolers and prep area. The property also includes three bathrooms, ample storage in the cement basement and parking for more than 40 vehicles — making it as functionally viable as it is visually iconic. Its backyard offers sweeping views of the spring-fed quarry, an unusually scenic feature for a commercial property and a possible setting for outdoor dining and events. 16 The current owners, who revitalized the space further over the past four years, are moving due to family needs. This Old Hudson 16 Marron said the community would love to see the new owner maintain the diner's original spirit, though the property's flexible layout allows for a range of uses. This Old Hudson 'There's, I think, a lot of opportunity there to expand it however you see fit,' Marron said. 'You could even expand it in a sense, putting a lot of additional seating out back and having some live music.' Moreover, it all stands in the vicinity of the Hudson Valley's most prime destinations, such as Rhinebeck, Red Hook, Tivoli and Germantown. Marron refers to the location of the diner as a 'sweet center spot.' Although the diner officially closed in the summer of 2024, it remains open to short-term film rentals and special events. Marron said that it's been a magnet for creative productions, and even drew nostalgic attention online when she posted the listing on Instagram. 16 Inside, the space remains a vivid time capsule, from gleaming aluminum finishes to the fully restored Jefferson Golden Hour clock. This Old Hudson 16 The buildings can be used together or separately, with the deli offering event space or retail potential. This Old Hudson 'One of the commenters wrote that his grandfather used to take him to it in Pennsylvania to go get like cherry pie,' she said. Since its Hudson Valley debut nearly two decades ago, the diner and deli have served more than just milkshakes — it has dished out memories, style inspiration and even a bit of small-town stardust. 'The chain of ownership has only been four people total,' Marron noted, adding that its history remains remarkably intact. The original design, down to the tabletop jukeboxes, still echoes with the sounds of a bygone era. 'The community would love to see someone keep it as a diner,' she said. 'Ultimately it's up to the next owner to kind of steward it however works best for their needs. But it really is such a unique listing … I think it would be amazing if it could stay.' 16 The structure is a star in its own right. This Old Hudson Marron believes the time is ripe for diners to make a cultural comeback. 'I grew up on Long Island. Diners were definitely like a way of life,' she said. 'Maybe a real big rise in things like fine dining and the bringing back of people cooking more at home … caused a lull in the middle. But now we're seeing this rise again where people are looking for these community spots to kind of sit and share either a cup of coffee or breakfast or go back to that nostalgic experience.'

Apple Vibrates iPhones Everywhere With Wild New 'Haptic' Movie Trailer
Apple Vibrates iPhones Everywhere With Wild New 'Haptic' Movie Trailer

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Apple Vibrates iPhones Everywhere With Wild New 'Haptic' Movie Trailer

The rip-roaring new racing film F1: The Movie is blasting into theaters on June 27, but ahead of that, Apple has just released a new kind of movie trailer that makes a strong argument for another sensory dimension of cinema. If you have an Apple iOS device (like an iPhone or certain iPads) you can, as of right now, watch and feel the new "haptic" trailer for F1: The Movie. Designed with something called the "Taptic Engine," the new trailer vibrates your phone at key parts during the trailer, to simulate the feeling of the Formula One racecars. The gimmick might seem silly, but once you open up the new F1 trailer on your phone, it's actually pretty cool. You can click on that trailer right here, or just open up the Apple TV app on your device.F1 tells the story of Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a retired F1 driver who comes back to the sport after a near-fatal crash sidelined him in the 1990s. During his comeback, Sonny is paired with Noah Pearce (Damson Idris), a younger, hot-headed driver who becomes both Sonny's partner and, apparently, rival. The movie also stars Kerry Condon and Javier Bardem. Perhaps most interestingly, F1: The Movie is directed by Top Gun: Maverick maestro Joseph Kosinski. Will the experience of watching F1 in the theater mimic the vibrating, rough-and-tumble feeling of the haptic trailer? That depends. There are 4DX screenings — which include haptic features — of F1 at Regal Theaters around the Vibrates iPhones Everywhere With Wild New 'Haptic' Movie Trailer first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 11, 2025

Here's our first look at the return of Apple TV+'s biggest sci-fi series
Here's our first look at the return of Apple TV+'s biggest sci-fi series

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Here's our first look at the return of Apple TV+'s biggest sci-fi series

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. Foundation fans, the wait is almost over: Apple TV+ has just released the first official trailer for the show's highly anticipated Season 3, and it offers a dazzling preview of what's to come. True to form, it teases jaw-dropping visuals and galaxy-spanning tension that make the series feel more ambitious than ever, and fans will get to return to this universe on July 11 when the first of 10 episodes drops. The rest will debut weekly through Sept. 12. Season 3 picks up 152 years after the events of last season, with the Foundation having grown far beyond its early ideals while the once-mighty Cleonic Empire teeters on the edge of collapse. Meanwhile, a warlord called The Mule threatens to take over the galaxy via a combination of brute force and psychic from author Isaac Asimov's Foundation series of novels, the Apple show has earned praise for its storytelling and epic scale, not to mention the standout performances from Jared Harris, Lee Pace, and Lou Llobell. And, of course, anyone who's watched it can't help but be awed by the series' cinema-quality visuals — including everything from colossal starships to sweeping shots of alien worlds, as well as the intricate set pieces that make Foundation feel closer to a blockbuster feature film than mere TV. Today's Top Deals Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 One commenter on the just-released Season 3 trailer nailed the vibe: 'Is it just me or did they go all in on the budget for this season? Looks beyond insane.' Apple's hit series, produced by Skydance Television and helmed by Batman Begins writer David S. Goyer, also continues to grow its universe with new characters played by Cherry Jones, Pilou Asbæk, Troy Kotsur, and more. Meanwhile, familiar faces like Demerzel (Laura Birn), Brother Dawn (Cassian Bilton), and Brother Dusk (Terrence Mann) return to a story that's becoming more danger-filled and more unpredictable than ever. With Season 2 still holding a flawless 100% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, Foundation has become Apple TV+'s crown jewel in the sci-fi genre space. And judging by the new trailer, the best may be yet to come. Don't Miss: Today's deals: Nintendo Switch games, $5 smart plugs, $150 Vizio soundbar, $100 Beats Pill speaker, more More Top Deals Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2025: Get $2,000+ free See the

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store