“Mid-Century Modern” (which debuted March 28 on Hulu) showcases three out LGBTQ characters living in a house together, along with one of the character's uber-critical, but beloved mother.
While the comparisons to another beloved classic series abound, “Mid-Century Modern” stands on its own. With whip smart humor, brilliant casting, and modern day calamities (a whole household coming down with COVID!), creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick have created comedic brilliance. I sat down with one of the co-stars, Nathan Lee Graham, and we chatted about joining co-stars Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer and Linda Lavin for this new series and the similarities and differences between him and his character Arthur Broussard.
“Mid-Century Modern” is filled with heart and humor and is truly the kind of show that we need right now. One of the best facets of the show is that you as a performer, are getting the flowers that you so richly deserve!
Thank you, that is very kind of you to say!
What is it like to not just be part of such a tremendously talented ensemble, but getting to shine as former fashion journalist Arthur Broussard on your own as well?
It’s all the good things that you could imagine. The team is the best team in television. The cast, you can’t get any better than this cast. I’m a fan of everyone that I work with: Matt Bomer, Nathan Lane, and the great Linda Lavin. It is a chance for me to play a role that is full on human being with dimension, character, color and shades and emotions. It’s just wonderful. I look damn good doing it because of our wonderful head of wardrobe Lori [Eskowitz-Carter], who puts me in the most beautiful clothes. It’s just been very exciting; I am so grateful and thankful to Ryan Murphy and especially Max Mutchnick and David Kohan for putting me in their show. It is a beautiful thing.
You are such a fashion maven on and off screen and Arthur most definitely, loves taking gorgeous risks with fashion!
Listen, I come from a family of fashion plates. My grandparents were very gifted fashion-wise and so were my parents, so it comes natural. I happen to have a modicum of taste and I enjoy dressing myself. I’m not like Arthur in how he is concerned about how everyone looks, you know? I don’t give a shit how everyone looks (laughs). I care about how I look because I want it to reflect my mood for that day. If I’m pleased with what I’m seeing in the mirror before I leave the house, then I’m happy. My style is completely personal, but I enjoy it.
What is the trait that you have that is the most like Arthur and conversely, what is the trait you have that is the biggest departure from Arthur?
I would say that Arthur can speak without words, volumes…and I would say that Nathan Lee Graham does that as well, especially when I’m on the subway. The departure would be that Arthur has way more sex than I do! I don’t know what he’s doing, but I gotta call Arthur up!
What is the best piece of advice that the legendary and beloved Linda Lavin gave you about career and life in general?
She told me to listen. She just told me to listen; so that’s a metaphor for everything, right? It’s a metaphor for taking your time; in order to actually listen, you have to be in the present moment and do just that. Now, it was applying to acting but it was also a metaphor for so many other things because we spent time together outside the set.
She told me that I was a great listener and that is the best compliment that you can get from a pro. She told me that I was a great listener and I wanted to just go home and cry like a baby; that is a huge compliment for someone like me who works very hard on his craft.
“Mid-Century Modern” is streaming now on Hulu.
Follow Nathan Lee Graham on Instagram @nathanleegraham
