Now this is good TV!
Nick Jonas has been turning heads for his amazing performance on the DirecTV exclusive show Kingdom but a lot of people will be talking about the show for a different reason after Wednesday night’s season finale.
** SPOILERS!! **
It turns out that Nick’s character, who is a MMA fighter, is gay. Which explains a lot in the show — why his character Nate is so secretive and keeps everyone at arm’s length.
And Nick Jonas is totally cool with playing a character this is gay, and he’s known about this “twist” since the very beginning when the creator Byron Balasco told him.
Here’s what Nick said in an interview:
“Byron [Balasco, Kingdom creator] told me before shooting began. Everyone at Kingdom was really transparent about the character and some of the things the character would go through. And in my prep work, I wanted to be aware so I could properly tell this story. For me, it was important to maintain the stakes for Nate. He lives in a world of fear ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ fear of disappointing his father, both in the cage and outside of the cage ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ and he carries that pressure with him in so many ways. I think it’s something a lot of people can relate to.”
And Nick Jonas says he was surprised, pleasantly surprised, by his own family’s reaction! Especially his father who is a ordained minister. Nick said:
“Their reaction was incredible. My family was really proud of me for getting this role and they were excited for me to tell this story ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ especially because it’s so important.”
And Nick has done a lot of research on that aspect of his role! He said:
“I’ve really been trying to make an effort to talk with my gay fan base and find unique opportunities to set up the next chapter of my life and my career with them in it. The attitude I take in the stories I want to share and my personal life and my view is that I think we’re in a time where there’s a new progression. For all people of all walks of life to accept all people ├óΓé¼┬ª I’d be thrilled if I’m any part of that.”
But how is Nick Jonas able to portray such a complicated and physically demanding role on television while also doing all the other stuff he does! Nick said:
“The biggest thing I’ve learned through this is that you can’t have any fear when you’re acting. Any ounce of fear will show. You just have to become that person and live that life. I love that process and pushing myself in that way. I found that really rewarding in the end ├óΓé¼┬ª I’m absolutely willing to go anywhere the story needs to go. I have trust in Byron and the writing team to tell these stories in a really honest and grounded way and it’s my responsibility as an actor to be that person and tell those stories the best I can. So, absolutely I will do all I need to do.”
[ Related: Nick Jonas’ TV Show Kingdom Renewed For 20 More Episodes! ]
And while Nick’s character’s revelation is BIG! The creator Balasco is adamant that the reveal may not affect the show for quite some time. Right now – the focus is on the fighting! Balasco said:
“I wanted to tell this story in an environment that would be, perhaps, extra challenging for a gay man. Really show somebody who is struggling with this part of his life and reconciling it with the combination of what it takes to be an elite level athlete and how that concentration makes you to block out and ignore real questions that you have about yourself and about the life you’re living…All of our characters are fighting for survival, fighting to understand who they are, fighting to understand their significance in the world. You always think everybody is thinking about you all the time, but the truth is, nobody’s thinking about you ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ period. Your sexuality isn’t as earth shattering to the other guy in the gym as you think it is, but it’s scary to actually find out that answer.”
Nick HAS known his character on the show is gay since the very beginning of the show, but he ISN’T sure what happens in the next season or what the next batch of episodes will entail. But he’s ready for this ride!
He said:
“I think it would be ideal if Nate could just live in his truth and be exactly who he needs to be and be OK with it, but the reality is that, for him specifically, it’s tough. There’s a journey he has to go on, and I hold that with a lot of responsibility and I’m thrilled to get to tell this story.”
If you haven’t been watching this show — you’ve really been missing out!
And the best part of everything is that this show will definitely be around for a while!
So now is the best time to start binge watching and catch up! It’s time for sure!!!