2022 Rewind: Who are the Hottest Out Actors of 2022?
EDGE is looking back at 2022 and we're resharing some of our favorite stories of the year.
As we dive into 2022, it's time to look backwards and forwards—in all mediums to select the hottest out actors of the 2021-2022 season.
The clear criteria: the dudes must be out. So certain teases or those who simply do not discuss their sexual orientation, are off the table. Otherwise, we tried to dig deep and find those who truly mesmerized and titillated.
Jonathan Bailey, 'Bridgerton'
The departure of Regé-Jean Page had many a "Bridgerton" fan wondering if the sizzle factor might fizzle, as it were. But Season 2 proves just the opposite, thanks to out hottie Jonathan Bailey who can both act, and make us swoon (is that at dig at RJP? Perhaps). Bailey has his roots in the theatre (Olivier Award for "Company") and proved his comic chops in Phoebe Waller Bridge's hilarious one-off, "Crashing." Londoners will be able to see him take the stage soon in Mike Bartlett's clever play "Cock," opposite Taron Edgerton. Lucky Brits!
Ben Whishaw, 'No Time to Die'
Speaking of "Cock," Ben Whishaw starred in the original 2009 Royal Court Theatre production opposite future "Fleabag" priest Andrew Scott, and has been beguiling us on stage, screen, and telly ever since (and before, actually). Most recently, they tossed a few crumbs at Q in the final Daniel Craig Bond outing, "No Time to Die," by gifting him an actual same-sex date. Trouble is, he never got to experience it! Still, Whishaw continues to lace the Bond franchise with a gratifying nerdy sexiness. In 2018, the slender actor won a deserved Emmy, BAFTA and Golden Globe as Hugh Grant's naughty kept boy in "A Very British Scandal." Next up he stars in the BBC's seven-part series "This is Going to Hurt."
James Cusati-Moyer, 'Inventing Anna'
I first saw the transfixing figure of James Cusati Moyer in 2018 in the Terrence McNally play, "Fire and Air" at Classic Stage Company in NYC, where he played ballet dancer extraordinaire "Nijinsky." It was no surprise to watch him bounce almost immediately to Broadway and receive a Tony nomination for another captivating — and sadomasochistic — performance in Jeremy O. Harris' "Slave Play." The gorgeous, charismatic thesp just completed a stint on the Netflix series "Inventing Anna," where he shows off his satiric gifts.
Claybourne Elder, 'The Gilded Age'
Another Broadway baby, Claybourne Elder, originated the role of Buck Barrow in "Bonnie and Clyde," and is currently play the dim-witted, but super-fit, Andy in the Sondheim revival of "Company," opposite Katrina Lenk and Patti LuPone, where he steals his "Barcelona" sequence each evening. Many of us remember his scene-stealing work on "The Carrie Diaries" on the CW. And he's currently grown a sexy 'stache' and is playing John Adams (an ancestor to that John Adams), the secret love of Oscar van Rhijn (Blake Ritson) on the HBO hit, "The Gilded Age." We're looking forward to an interaction with Christine Baranski!
Wilson Cruz, 'Star Trek: Discovery'
He was quite daring when he first debuted on television as Rickie Vasquez in the cult series, "My So-Called Life," as the first openly gay actor to play an out gay character in a lead role on an American TV show (just out of his teens, no less). Now, almost 30 years later, Wilson Cruz continues to break ground as Hugh Culber on "Star Trek: Discovery," portraying (along with Anthony Rapp) the first openly gay couple in the "Star Trek" universe. His career has been fairly non-stop in between. Oh, and the dude is sexy as fuck.
Troye Sivan, 'Three Months'
He's a singing sensation, but after his deeply affecting work in Jared Frieder's "Three Months," Troy Sivan must be seen as a certified film actor in his own right. Portraying Caleb, a high school senior who receives a text from a hook up that changes his summer, and possibly his life, Sivan goes beyond the limits of the script and shows us a teen searching for his own identity in a world that rarely allows for mistakes. Sivan impressed in a supporting role in "Boy Erased" a few years ago. We think he's more than ready for his close-up.
Luke Evans, 'Nine Perfect Strangers'
When you Google "Luke Evans," the first question that pops up is, "Does Luke Evans have a wife?" I love this! Why? Because for years we queer folk were so disappointed when we'd google some of our hottie faves only to find out they were married... to women! It's gratifying to see it's happening to straights now. This Welsh yum pie was just seen as the man of mystery on the Hulu mindfuck series "Nine Perfect Strangers" with Nicole Kidman, and co-starred in Nicholas Jarecki's highly underrated thriller "Crisis." He's proudly out and versatile in the roles he accepts. And those abs! Google his beach pix. And there's Bond talk...
Isaac Cole Powell, 'American Horror Story: Double Feature
Anyone who had the great fortune of seeing the 2020 revival of "West Side Story" before COVID killed it forever (78 previews, 24 performances) would have witnessed a star being born onstage. No, not Anita or Maria, as is often the case with "WSS," but the handsome biracial actor embodying Tony, Isaac Cole Powell — a charming, yet vulnerable presence. He next appeared as one of the few bright spots in the film travesty "Dear Evan Hansen" and the so-so "American Horror Story: Double Feature" — that naughty bed scene with equally yummy Nico Greetham was a treat. Out since he was 16, Powell is an artistic force that we will be seeing more of.
Jason Gotay, 'Gossip Girl'
Broadway actor Jason Gotay's TV series debut was on the HBO Max reboot of "Gossip Girl." The gorgeous heartthrob, who was featured in Broadway productions of "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" and "Bring It On: The Musical," proves he's just as comfy on the small screen. Gotay is an out actor portraying a gay character, and a super sexy one at that — Max and Rafa's student/teacher tangle is just wicked!
Murray Bartlett,'The White Lotus'
"Looking" made us fans. "The White Lotus" made us swoon. Thank you, HBO for finally giving Murray Bartlett his due when it comes to outstanding roles he can excel at. Oh, and that rimming scene between Bartlett's Armond and Lukas Gage's Dillon won't soon be forgotten. For the last three decades, Bartlett's been working steadily in TV as "that good looking guy you've seen before somewhere." Well, now we know his name. And his anatomy. He'll soon be seen opposite Rose Byrne is Season 2 of "Physical," and we hope HBO finds a way to work him into Season 2 of "The White Lotus." Perhaps Armond had a hot gay twin?