The Queer As Folk Cast: Where Are They Now In 2025? (Original Vs. Reboot)
The enduring legacy of the *Queer as Folk* cast, spanning two groundbreaking series, continues to dominate conversations about LGBTQ+ representation in television, and as of December 2025, the stars of both the 2000 and 2022 versions are busier than ever with major new projects and a highly anticipated reunion. The original Showtime series, which ran from 2000 to 2005, and the 2022 Peacock reboot, centered in New Orleans, each launched a generation of talent whose careers are currently seeing a resurgence across stage, screen, and media.
The most exciting news for long-time fans is the confirmed 25th Anniversary Reunion event scheduled for August 2025, which will bring several key members of the original cast back together to celebrate the show’s enduring cultural impact. Meanwhile, the stars of the modern reboot are carving out their own paths in Hollywood, championing diverse and authentic queer storytelling in a new era.
The Original Cast (2000–2005): Full Biography & Latest 2025 Projects
The original North American *Queer as Folk* television series, adapted from Russell T Davies's British show, was set in Pittsburgh and aired on Showtime. Its cast became cultural icons, and their careers have since branched into directing, playwriting, and comedy.
- Gale Harold (Brian Kinney)
- Role: The enigmatic, non-committal advertising executive and central figure.
- Bio: Born July 10, 1969, in Decatur, Georgia. Known for roles in *Desperate Housewives*, *The Secret Circle*, and *Hellcats*.
- 2025 Update: Confirmed to attend the highly anticipated 25th Anniversary Reunion Panel in August 2025, alongside other key cast members.
- Randy Harrison (Justin Taylor)
- Role: The young, artistic, and passionately devoted 'Sunshine' to Brian Kinney.
- Bio: Born November 2, 1977, in Nashua, New Hampshire. A prolific stage actor with a BFA from the University of Cincinnati.
- 2025 Update: Continues his acclaimed work in theatre, with links to the Manhattan Project and the Tectonic Cabaret, maintaining a strong presence in the New York theatrical scene.
- Hal Sparks (Michael Novotny)
- Role: Brian's best friend, the comic book store manager, and the heart of the series.
- Bio: Born September 25, 1969, in Peak's Mill, Kentucky. A stand-up comedian, actor, and political commentator.
- 2025 Update: Remains a top comedy act, with his active "The Hal Sparks Radio Program with Johnny Million" continuing to broadcast live in 2025, solidifying his status as a multi-platform entertainer.
- Peter Paige (Emmett Honeycutt)
- Role: The flamboyant, fashion-conscious, and charmingly naive friend.
- Bio: Born June 20, 1969, in West Hartford, Connecticut. Has become a successful director and screenwriter, co-creating *The Fosters* and *Good Trouble*.
- 2025 Update: Set to star in a new gay rom-com alongside *Grey's Anatomy's* Jake Borelli, in addition to his directing and writing work. He is also a confirmed attendee for the 25th Anniversary Reunion.
- Michelle Clunie (Melanie Marcus)
- Role: Lindsay's sharp-witted lawyer partner and mother to Gus.
- Bio: Born November 7, 1969, in Portland, Oregon. Known for her stage work and roles in *The Jeff Foxworthy Show* and *Bad Girls*.
- 2025 Update: Scheduled to star in the Off-Broadway production of Michael Griffo's hit play, *Pen Pals*, in September 2025, and is also developing her own new play, *US*.
- Scott Lowell (Ted Schmidt)
- Role: The sweet, often unlucky-in-love accountant who evolves throughout the series.
- Bio: Born February 22, 1965, in Denver, Colorado. Primarily a stage and television actor.
- 2025 Update: Scheduled to participate in the 25th Anniversary Reunion Panel in August 2025.
- Thea Gill (Lindsay Peterson)
- Role: The art dealer, Melanie's partner, and the maternal figure of the group.
- Bio: Born January 26, 1970, in Vancouver, British Columbia. A Canadian actress with a background in theatre.
- 2025 Update: Confirmed for the 25th Anniversary Reunion Panel in August 2025, celebrating the iconic partnership of 'Linz and Mel.'
The Reboot Cast (2022): New Faces Driving Modern Representation
The 2022 reboot, set in a vibrant New Orleans, was a modern re-imagining by creator Stephen Dunn and executive producer Russell T Davies. It focused on a highly diverse group of friends whose lives are rocked by a mass shooting at a local club, Babylon, and featured a cast that broke new ground for authentic representation.
Groundbreaking Stars and Their Current Endeavors
The new generation of actors brought a fresh perspective, tackling issues of identity, trauma, and chosen family in a post-2000s landscape. Many of these stars are currently leveraging their platform for high-profile projects and activism.
- Jesse James Keitel (Ruthie)
- Character: A non-binary party promoter and one of the central figures.
- Latest News: Keitel made history as one of the first nonbinary actors to play a nonbinary series regular role on network television (*Big Sky*). Keitel is currently starring as the lead in the stage play *The Christine Jorgensen Story*, showcasing their continued commitment to portraying complex queer narratives.
- Devin Way (Brodie)
- Character: A charming, commitment-phobe med student.
- Latest News: Following their time on *Grey's Anatomy* and *Queer as Folk*, Way joined the cast of a new BET drama series in 2024. They are also set to star in Julia Eringer's directorial debut film, a long-running passion project for the creators, marking a move into feature films.
- Fin Argus (Mingus)
- Character: A cocky, talented high schooler and aspiring drag performer.
- Latest News: Argus has successfully transitioned their career beyond acting, focusing heavily on music. Their work is defined by an exploration of sounds and world-building, weaving personal experience with fantasy, following their breakthrough year after the reboot.
- Johnny Sibilly (Noah Hernandez)
- Character: A successful lawyer whose perfect life is an illusion.
- Latest News: Sibilly is leveraging his visibility as an actor from *Pose* and *Hacks*. He is set to return as the host of Logo’s digital talk series *Spill* in March. Furthermore, he was publicly honored with the HRC (Human Rights Campaign) Visibility Award in 2025 for his advocacy and work in the LGBTQ+ community.
- Candace Grace (Rickie)
- Character: A non-binary professor navigating the rocky transition from punk to parenthood.
- Latest News: Candace Grace, a New Orleans native, continues to be a powerful voice for non-binary representation. They have also appeared in the hit series *The Bear* and *Acts of Crime*, building a strong resume of critically acclaimed television roles.
The Enduring Topical Authority of Queer as Folk
The longevity and cultural impact of *Queer as Folk*—both the original drama and the modern reboot—speaks volumes about its topical authority in the landscape of queer media. The original series, set against the backdrop of Pittsburgh's Babylon nightclub, was a vital, unvarnished look at gay life in the early 2000s, focusing on the core relationship between Brian Kinney and Justin Taylor. Its success paved the way for more nuanced LGBTQ+ storytelling.
The 2022 reboot, though short-lived, made significant strides in diverse representation by featuring a core cast that included trans, non-binary, and disabled characters, shifting the focus from a predominantly white, cis-male narrative to a broader, intersectional view of the community in New Orleans. The show embraced contemporary issues like gun violence, the complexities of non-monogamy, and the challenges of queer parenthood in the modern era.
The impending 25th Anniversary Reunion for the original cast—including Gale Harold, Randy Harrison, Peter Paige, and Michelle Clunie—is a testament to the show's lasting status as a foundational piece of gay television history. This event will allow fans to reflect on the groundbreaking characters like Emmett Honeycutt, Michael Novotny, and Melanie Marcus and their influence on a generation. The cast members, through their current projects—be it Hal Sparks's comedy, Randy Harrison's stage work, or Peter Paige's directing—continue to shape the entertainment industry, ensuring the spirit of *Queer as Folk* lives on.
Key Entities and Topical Keywords: Brian Kinney, Justin Taylor, Michael Novotny, Emmett Honeycutt, Melanie Marcus, Lindsay Peterson, Ted Schmidt, Brodie, Mingus, Ruthie, Noah Hernandez, Candace Grace, Gale Harold, Randy Harrison, Hal Sparks, Peter Paige, Michelle Clunie, Thea Gill, Scott Lowell, Devin Way, Fin Argus, Jesse James Keitel, Johnny Sibilly, Russell T Davies, Stephen Dunn, Showtime, Peacock, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Babylon, LGBTQ+ representation, nonbinary actor, gay drama, 25th Anniversary Reunion, Tectonic Cabaret, *Pen Pals*, *Big Sky*, *The Fosters*, queer media.
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