‘I feel so lucky to be part of it': Tim Bagley on finding love, laughter, and belonging in ‘Somebody Somewhere'
When Tim Bagley joined the cast of HBO's critically acclaimed Somebody Somewhere, he stepped into a world that, for many viewers, felt like home. As Brad, Bagley delivered one of television's most tender portrayals of late-in-life love, spirituality, and self-discovery — themes rarely explored in LGBTQ narratives on screen. With equal parts humor and heartbreak, Brad's story resonated deeply with Bagley, whose own life experiences have profoundly influenced his performance.
In a recent interview with Gold Derby, Bagley reflected on joining the cast in its sophomore season, how he approached Brad's emotional complexities, and why Somebody Somewhere is such a rare gem in today's television landscape.
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"I feel really lucky because I was not in the first season," Bagley said. "I absolutely loved that first season – it really resonated with me and my experience. I loved the style of it, the humor, and how it felt like a slice of life. Watching these people in a small Midwestern town find their own community? I connected with that. When I moved to L.A. back in 1909 — well, '76,' he joked, 'I had to find my people, too. That sense of belonging is something I really responded to.'
Sandy Morris/HBO
Bagley's debut on the show was unforgettable, starting with Brad's over-the-top musical performance. "Bridget Everett asked me, 'Can you sing?' And I said, 'Not really.' So she said, 'Well, I want you to sing an aria.' I learned this song called 'Danza Danza Fanciulla Gentile,' an Italian song, and it was the hardest thing to learn. But I knew the way to make it funny was to commit to it 100 percent, because Brad's such a genuine guy, just walking his path.'
Brad's quirky introduction also included the ill-fated 'St. Louis Sushi' scene, which delighted viewers with its hilariously disastrous consequences. 'Sam [Everett] and Joel [Jeff Hiller] just get explosive diarrhea,' Bagley laughed. 'It was the greatest introduction!'
SEE 'It changed my life': Bridget Everett reflects on the emotional end of 'Somebody Somewhere'
In the show's third and final season, Bagley's portrayal took an even more emotional turn. In one standout episode, 'Dinky Dinkies,' Brad collaborates with Sam to write a heartfelt song for Joel. This forces Brad to confront his feelings in a moment of raw vulnerability. Offscreen, the scene was deeply personal for Bagley, rooted in his own life experiences.
'Bridget called me at home one day and said, 'I'm thinking of writing this song.' She knew my partner had passed away in 1995, and she asked, 'What did you love most about him?' I told her, 'Everything.' But when she pushed for something specific, I said, 'Just the way he looked at me. It made me feel loved and wanted.''
Everett crafted Brad's song around these sentiments, tailoring it to fit the character's emotional limitations. 'She told me, 'You're not going to be able to sing this — it'll be too hard for you to expose yourself like that.''
Bagley recalled filming the scene with Everett and Hiller, describing their support. 'We shot it in just a couple of takes. As an actor, you're always wondering, 'Do you have what you need?' But I was standing there between Jeff and Bridget, and the way they looked at me. … Bridget's kindness and generosity, and Jeff's emotional connection to me, made it so much easier.'
Brad and Joel's relationship broke new ground, offering a nuanced portrayal of older gay men navigating love, faith, and independence. For Bagley, that made Brad's journey extraordinary in its simplicity.
'One thing you don't often see in the gay community is how people manage their spirituality,' he observed, reflecting on his own struggles with faith growing up. 'In my youth, religion equated homosexuality with pedophilia and murder. Churches weren't welcoming.'
Brad and Joel's discussions about faith, including Joel's discomfort with Brad's church, offered fertile ground for storytelling. 'I loved how this unfolded — it's not something you see very often in gay stories,' Bagley said.
The show also explored the challenges of finding companionship later in life. 'Brad's used to being on his own, living independently, but then he meets this guy he really likes, and suddenly, they're figuring out how to share their lives. It's beautiful how the series highlights small, tender moments like whether or not to put magnets on the refrigerator.'
Photo credit: Sandy Morris/HBO
SEE 'We could do this show forever': 'Somebody Somewhere' creators on final season, heart, and the humor of Bridget Everett
In another poignant scene in Episode 5, titled "Num Nums," Brad shares his coming-out story over an awkward Thanksgiving dinner, echoing the experiences of many who came out later in life. Bagley appreciated the careful handling of the moment, drawing from his own journey for authenticity.
'Early in my career, I tried all different kinds of modalities to not be gay,' he revealed. 'I went to therapy, a sex surrogate, conversion therapy. Eventually, I realized this is what it is, and I have to figure out a way to love myself in this and move forward.'
Director Lennon Parham guided Bagley through the scene, grounding Brad's delivery with a tender, matter-of-fact tone. '[She said], 'This is your story, and you know it very well, so it's not like you're discovering it for the first time.' That helped me capture the tension between shame and normalcy."
Photo credit: Sandy Morris/HBO
Reflecting on his decades-long career — which includes over 170 acting credits — Bagley expressed gratitude for the opportunity to create such a layered, authentic character. 'A lot of times as a gay character, you're a caricature — a clown. You're, 'Here's your salad, ma'am.' But Brad felt different. He's so real, navigating life's struggles and joys with heart, humor, and dignity.'
Bagley also pointed out how times have changed for LGBTQ actors. Early in his career, auditioning for a gay role was seen as a risk. 'For a gay person to play a gay role? It could ruin your career,' he recalled. 'I remember auditioning for Wings to play Abe Benrubi's partner, and my agent warned me, 'This could really ruin things for you.' I remember going to bed that night and thinking, 'Why am I going to let fear stop me from playing something that I can play?' Back then, they'd cast straight people in gay roles to avoid controversy. Even Will & Grace made a point of casting a straight actor (Eric McCormack) as Will. They made it very clear they weren't going to look at anybody that was gay for that role. We live in a different time now, and I'm grateful for that.'
For Bagley, Somebody Somewhere stands out as a rare and special show. 'It's so Midwestern, so full of heart, and so incredibly funny,' he says. 'I find humor in the painful existence of life, and this show captures that perfectly. It's just so beautiful, and I feel so lucky to be part of it.'
Somebody Somewhere is streaming on Max.
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