Luke Macfarlane Online

You are browsing the archives of South Africa.

Just have to note that South Africa is airing the third season, so they are a full season behind USA.

Here’s a great article that also mentions an interview with Luke.

Source: Tonight.Co.Za

Out of the closet and on to primetime
October 12, 2009

By Terence Pillay

Is it me or has everyone on Brothers And Sisters suddenly turned gay? Last week’s episode of the popular M-Net drama series saw an entire episode focus on every gay character in the series and the storylines that pivoted around them were heightened ten-fold.

Fans of the show already know that there’s a focus on gay relationships to the same extent that there’s a focus on straight relationships, and this is one of the first series to depict gay interaction in a way that it actually reflects real life.

When the Brothers and Sisters first emerged three seasons ago, we were introduced to Kevin Walker (played with such ease by straight Irish actor Matthew Rhys), a lawyer and part of the hugely dysfunctional Walker clan. Kevin was also an openly gay character and, for the first time, it wasn’t a gay character dying of Aids or an uber-camp hairdresser flapping his wrists like he was guiding a Boeing into a parking bay.

With the exception of his sexual orientation, Kevin was exactly the same as the rest of his brothers and sisters – flawed, issued, sometimes irritating, always endearing. And as the character developed, Kevin soon met his life-partner, Scotty Wandell, played by Luke MacFarlane, and they eventually got married at the beginning of the third season, which we’re currently watching on M-Net.

I interviewed MacFarlane in Cape Town earlier this year and because he’s actually gay in real life, a lot of our talk turned to this very subject.

The fact is, America has a huge section of its viewership in what is referred to as the Bible Belt, and ratings from this sector often make or break a show.

Apparently, Dirty Sexy Money folded because these viewers believed it to be too focused on materialism and greed, Eli Stone was not re-commissioned because some Earthly being was playing God and Pushing Daisies wilted for much the same reason. The list goes on.

MacFarlane says this was a concern for the producers when they first mulled over the creation of these characters. But because there’s such a large, on-going conversation about same-sex equality in the US, this attempt to show a gay couple in this way meant a lot to American society in terms of finding real role models.

So the characters, MacFarlane says, have been received very well, just because there is this desire for people to have role models specifically in the gay community.

Another interesting fact is that Kevin and Scotty’s wedding was the first gay marriage in a recurring role on US television, so it was a very big deal. It was also the first man-to-man kiss on primetime television, that wasn’t a comedy, so they were breaking ground on so many other levels too.

MacFarlane, who has, in the past, been dogged with rumours that he’s dating Prison Break’s Wentworth Miller, says he brings a lot of himself into this role of Scotty Wandell. He says he admires Scotty’s sense of right and wrong, and his very strong sense of self.

But the thing he’s most pleased about is the fact that they actually get to show a gay relationship through a long process. He admits that very rarely do viewers get to see this kind of relationship in a show – them meeting for the first time, breaking up for the first time, getting back together for the first time and then getting married.

And MacFarlane feels that’s a very accurate portrait of any relationship out there, never mind a gay one, and that’s the due integrity that should always be given to these characters.

But are they milking the concept a little now?

Saul (played by Ron Rifkin), the brother of Sally Field’s character, Nora, has also come out of the closet. Saul is probably in his early 60s and is, for the first time, searching for the kind of relationship he was never allowed to have because of societal dictates earlier on in his life.

While the twist was unexpected, I think this storyline is becoming more about making a point than being dramatic.

I can’t wait to see who else they pull out of this closet next. A lesbian? A black woman? A back woman who’s a lesbian?

I suppose I can live in hope.

Took several screencaps of the video from All Access. Also included one “behind the scenes” picture of Luke in the restaurant, Ginja. Also added another picture from an Afrikaans newspaper,Die Burger, with Luke and Dave.

All pictures can be found in the gallery.

The following is from a blog written by Cathy Lund, who works for Cosmopolitan (South Africa branch). It is about her time with Luke Macfarlane and Dave Annable last month in June.

Source: Cosmopolitan.Co.Za

Beam Me Up, Scotty
Author: Cathy Lund

Luke Macfarlane and Cathy Lund at Jade in Green Point, South Africa

What do Luke Macfarlane (Scotty from Brothers & Sisters), the ‘running man’ and a bottle of tequila have in common? Absolutely nothing, really. But if you imagine all three of them together, you’ll have a fairly good idea of how my evening turned out last night.

Luke and his equally adorable co-star Dave Annable (Justin) were in Cape Town this week promoting the show, and COSMO couldn’t miss the opportunity of showing them the city – our way.

We started at Wakame, a popular beach-front restaurant in Mouille Point. The boys had been out the night before and had had a day packed with media interviews, but their stamina showed no signs of fading. They were full of energy as they arrived.

Both guys are the friendliest, warmest, most sincere celebs I’ve had the privilege of meeting. And cute. The ‘it’s-hard-to-breathe-around-them’ kind of cute. We instantly tumbled into conversations about their trip to Cape Town, my recent trip to the US, their new president, our new president, and more. They’re both enthusiastic travellers. Grass-roots travellers at that. They told us they would choose a tent over a plush hotel any day. They asked me which animals are in the Big Five. I couldn’t remember (I am such a city girl!). I rambled off a few animal names, trying to sound knowledgeable about all things bush-related. They didn’t look convinced.

Our meal was fantastic and the champagne was even better. Not ready to call it a night, we suggested they join us at Jade, a drinking spot in Green Point.

Jade was heaving when we arrived. In true Cape Town form, few people made a fuss about the boys (we are too cool for that down here!). But there were a couple of mandatory squeals from enamoured fans catching sight of their favourite TV hotties for the first time. And the guys were gracious and obliging, chatting to the fans who encircled them.

Beers were ordered. Tequila was ordered. Pictures were taken. More beers were ordered. Assurances were made that we would get them to the airport in time to catch a flight to Jo’burg in the morning. Champagne was ordered. More tequila was ordered. I started to regret the assurance I gave them that we would get them to the airport in time to catch a flight to Jo’burg in the morning…

Luke and I informally challenged each other to a dance-off. He came with a shimmer shoulder. I came with the ‘running man’. In heels. No contest – I won. Hours of dancing and singing and high-fiving and partying followed. And then their eagle-eyed publicist suggested it was time to go home. (I’m sort of grateful that at least one of us had the good sense to call it a night…)

The boys did make it to the airport on time. I, however, was a little late for work.

Thanks to Karen, we have the clip shown on M-Net, on their new entertainment show, All Access. This clip features Luke Macfarlane and Dave Annable from their posh living at the “One and Only” hotel to dining at the classy restaurant, Ginja. This is definitely a great clip for everyone to watch.

The video is available in the Video Player which can be access via the above “Media” navigation link. The video will later be moved to Media Centre in about a month or so.

So, please enjoy. A better version may come along, but for now, please make do with this version.

(Note: File is 79.8 MB big, so it will take some time to load (ranging from 30 seconds to 1 minute depending on your speed of your bandwidth)).

The following four pics were scanned by Karen. The first is the pic from “Tonight” article. The other three are from “Die Beeld” article that I posted yesterday.

These next 9 pics of Luke Macfarlane (along with Dave Annable) are provided by Snaparazzi (South Africa branch):

Thanks to Sueli for finding this press this morning. “Tonight” is an entertainment guide to news and media source in South Africa. The interview covers both Luke Macfarlane and Dave Annable.

Thanks to Karen for the photo scan.

Source: Tonight

Growing the love at home
June 11, 2009

By Zane Henry

I’d seen the Brothers and Sisters box-set at the DVD store every time I reached past it to grab the latest season of House or Lost.

I’m not sure why I never took it, but there always seemed something better to cuddle up on the couch with.

So when my colleague asked me to interview two of the cast of Brothers and Sisters before the launch of the third season in August, I had to bone up quickly.

One night and two seasons later, I was completely enmeshed in the tangled lives of the Walker clan.

Sure, the show is a glorified soap opera but which family isn’t? The writing is sharp, the acting is great (Sally Field, Rob Lowe, Rachel Griffiths: hello?) and the vibe is warm.

I arrived at 12pm at the One & Only Hotel V&A Waterfront, burnt out and bleary after the all-night Brothers and Sisters binge the night before.

When I was ushered into the presidential suite for the interview, I nearly hugged Dave Annable (Justin Walker) and Luke MacFarlane (Scotty) like long-lost brothers. I didn’t. But I wanted to.

They themselves were a little bleary after a night out around Cape Town and close encounters of the Stellenbosch pinotage kind.

Still, they’re scarily good-looking and I’m careful, for the sake of my ego, to not stand too close to them.

Hey guys. Welcome to Cape Town (Did I just say that?)

DA and LM: Thanks man.

Just so I know, which questions are you guys most tired of being asked?

DA: First of all, I love that question! Listen, ask whatever you’ve got. You’ve got a job to do and we’ll try to keep it fresh and interesting.

A question I do get asked a lot is what is it like to work with Sally Field.

She’s amazing, obviously.

She’s an unjaded professional while being a total mom to us on the set.

Seriously, I get emails from her checking if I’m drinking enough orange juice.

LM: I often get asked what it’s like working with such a great cast. And the answer is that it’s, well, great.

How did you guys end up here on the tip of Africa this morning?

DA: I got an email asking if I’d like to go to South Africa to promote the show and before I’d finished reading, I was like, definitely.

With our job come these amazing perks where we get to travel all around the world and talk about what we love doing.

LM: It’s the first time M-Net has had anyone from the show down here so we need to set a good precedent so that everyone else will get to come.

We’ve had some time to sight see and we’re completely in love with this place.

What can viewers expect from your characters in the third season?

LM: Well, we have a married couple on the show now, Scotty and Kevin, and the third season sees them having to deal with marital issues.

Scotty starts earning more money than Kevin and this puts some strain on the relationship, leading to some important lessons.

DA: We left Justin at the end of the second season just after that smooch with Rebecca.

The third season has him figuring out what his relationship with her is.

It’s a complicated situation.

How much of your characters do you take home with you?

LM: A lot. I have tremendous respect for Scotty. He’s a little more patient than I am and I often wonder how he puts up with Kevin.

DA: Justin and I definitely have laziness in common.

I don’t know if I brought it to him or he brought it to me but we both are kinda sloth-like.

My wife wants a small family. I want a big one. Who’s right?

LM: I’m an advocate for big families.

Tell her that when she’s old she’ll have lots of people to take care of her and dinner conversation will be so much more interesting when there’s more people around the table.

DA: I say this before changing a million diapers but I want a big family.

I want lots of kids running around and coach the little league team.

Just keep adding to the love.

• The third season of Brothers and Sisters airs on August 13 on M-Net.

(revised 6:37PM (18:37) PST)

Luke Macfarlane again is mentioned in a press article in a South African online newspaper; however, this article is in Afrikaans, one of the main languages of South Africa. An English translation is now posted in this post. Please click on the bottom link below the article to get to the English translated version.

Thank you, Paul Labuschagne, a member on the Facebook fan page for Luke Macfarlane, for translating this article for this website.

Source: Beeld

‘Swaers’ maak harte oop
Jun 10 2009 04:37:05:813PM – (SA)

Luke Macfarlane en Dave Annable (Scotty en Justin in Brothers & Sisters) tydens hul besoek aan Suid-Afrika verlede week.

Dis die bobbejane en die twee oseane wat Luke Macfarlane en Dave Annable die meeste van Suid-Afrika sal onthou. Amanda de Lange het met dié twee akteurs van die TV-reeks Brothers & Sisters gesels.

As ’n mens skielik en onverwags die geleentheid kry om met Brothers & Sisters se twee swaers, Justin (gespeel deur Dave Annable) en Scotty (Luke Macfarlane) te gesels, dan los jy alles net só en laat spat om betyds te wees.

Jy kners op jou tande oor al die rooi verkeersligte en stopstrate en motors wat voor jou aankarwei teen 30 km/h en gee nie om dat jy skoon windverwaaid en uitasem is wanneer jy by jou bestemming aankom nie.

Dit is immers Justin en Scotty!

Só warrel ek verlede week by M-Net se kantore in ná ’n blitsige uitnodiging om tien minute met dié twee akteurs te gesels.

Annable staan en gesels met ’n klomp gaste in een van die raadsale toe ek daar aankom.

Macfarlane is nêrens te sien nie.

Die jong donkerkop strek sy arms vriendelik uit toe ek aan hom voorgestel word en vou my in ’n lekker drukkie toe.

“Wonderlik om jou te ontmoet. Welkom hier. Welkom by M-Net, welkom by mý M-Net,” lag hy.

Hy begin vooruitstap na die kantoor waar die onderhoud gaan plaasvind. Hou die deur galant vir my oop.

“Ek weet nie hoekom ek vooruit loop nie,” lag hy, “dis nie asof ek weet waarheen ek gaan nie …”

Ons gesels ’n bietjie op pad na waar ons Macfarlane gaan ontmoet. Annable blom oor die Suid-Afrikaanse vriendelikheid en die plekke wat hulle in Kaapstad (vanwaar hulle pas gekom het) gesien en die mense wat hulle ontmoet het.

“Dis heerlik hier. Wonderlik.”

Ontmoet jy Macfarlane is die ontvangs ewe warm. En dis sy mooi, diep blou oë wat jy eerste raaksien. Onder die wakende oog van hul publisiteitsbeampte kan die onderhoud begin.

Wat kan julle ons vertel van jul onderskeie karakters in die derde seisoen? Wat gebeur?

Annable: In hierdie seisoen wentel Justin se hoofstorielyn eintlik maar om Rebecca en of hulle ’n romantiese verhouding gaan hê of ’n platoniese vriendskap.

Ek dink dit is hul reis: Om uit te werk wat ons is en waarheen ons gaan. En is jy regtig nie my suster nie of is daar nog ’n draaibal aan die kom later in die seisoen?

En is Justin nou klaar met die weermag?

Wel, ja, vir nou. Maar jy hou nooit op om ’n veteraan te wees nie. En dit is ’n belangrike ding wat ek graag sou wou hê ons program in gedagte moet hou.

Ná Justin se beserings was daar ’n dwelmprobleem. Is dit nou iets van die verlede?

Dit is ’n stryd wat jy jou lewe lank voer en jy moet besluite neem op grond van die keuses wat jy in die verlede gemaak het. Justin sal altyd daardie stryd hê, maar nee … daar is nie middelmisbruik in die derde seisoen nie.

Luke, vertel ons van jou huweliksgeluk.

Macfarlane: Aaaah. Huweliksgeluk. Ja, wel, dit is nogal snaaks omdat daar tot dusver in die reeks deurentyd spanning in Kevin (Matthew Rhys) en Scotty se verhouding was. Maar in hierdie seisoen word hulle ’n baie stabiele paartjie.

Hulle het nogal ’n wankelrige begin gehad …

O, hulle het ’n báie wankelrige begin gehad. Hulle was saam, het uitgemaak, was saam, het uitgemaak. Hulle (die vervaardigers) was nie seker of ek in die reeks sou bly nie. Hulle het my getoets, my ge-oudisie. (Hy lag lekker).

Noudat ek daar is om te bly, is dit happily ever after. Maar daar is ’n bietjie van ’n vraagteken daar. Kevin was altyd die broodwinner. Hy het al die geld verdien, maar miskien begin Scotty bietjie meer verdien. Daar is beslis ’n magsdinamika daar wat gaan verander.

Jy speel ’n gay karakter. Is dit vir jou moeilik of is jy self gay?

Ek is gay.

So dis nie vir jou moeilik nie?

Nee, ek het die besluit geneem om oop oor my seksualiteit te wees. Dis net ’n aspek van my lewe soos enigiets anders. Net omdat ek gay is, beteken nie ek en Scotty is enigsins dieselfde nie. Ek het wonderlike ondersteuning van al die karakters gehad en veral van Matthew, want hy speel my man en hy is beslis nie gay nie. Maar hy is so oop en nooit ongemaklik met enigiets nie. Dit is ’n ware getuienis van sy vermoëns as akteur.

Was jy ooit bang om as ’n gay karakter gestereotipeer te word?

O, ja. Daar is beslis daardie vrees. Maar ek dink dis belangrik om dit tersyde te skuif, want dit is ’n belangrike kwessie van ons tyd. Gelykheid vir gays is die laaste 30 jaar ’n belangrike stryd in Amerika. So, natuurlik is ek bang om gestereotipeer te word, maar ek moet daardie vrees opsy skuif.

Vertel my van jul mede-akteurs? Julle speel saam met groot name: Calista Flockhart, Rob Lowe, Sally Field, om maar net ’n paar te noem.

Annable: Dit is ongelooflik. Ek dink vir sulke jong akteurs soos ons om in ’n reeks in te kom en hierdie soort van groot “onthullingspartytjie” te hê. Om by hierdie akteurs te leer … dis soos om elke dag skool toe te gaan. En ons is so gelukkig, want hulle is so gewillig om ons te leer. En te gesels – oor enigiets.

Macfarlane: En om heeltemal eerlik te wees. Ons gebruik hul roem om ons s’n aan te help. En om Suid-Afrika toe te kom. (Lag).

Hoe het julle gevoel toe julle die rolle gekry het?

Annable: Ek was die eerste een in die rolverdeling, so ek het nie geweet al hierdie groot name gaan aansluit nie. En toe hou ek aan om al hierdie oproepe te kry, soos Calista Flockhart het geteken. Calista Flockhart! Rachel Griffiths! Rob Lowe! (Hy gil met elke naam). O, my aarde, ek gaan beroemd wees. Dit was soos ’n droom wat waar geword het. Maar hoekom was dit so opwindend? Omdat dit so ’n goeie draaiboek is. Daar was vir lank nie ’n goeie gesinsdrama op Amerikaanse televisie nie en ek dink ons het dit teruggebring.

Macfarlane: Dis vir my ’n bietjie anders omdat ek eers later deel van die rolverdeling geword het. Ek het reeds geweet wat om te verwag. In die algemeen vir ’n akteur, en vir albei van ons, het ons gewerk aan heelwat verskillende reekse wat nie … (Annable beweeg sy hand soos ’n vliegtuig wat val.)

(Laggend) Ja! En Brothers & Sisters was heel aan die begin nie die sukses wat dit nou is nie. Maar ons het weekliks die kyksyfers gesien en dit het net beter en beter geword.

Hoe stem jul eie gesinslewe ooreen met dié in Brothers & Sisters?

Annable: My familie is presies dieselfde en dit is hoekom die skrywers so goed is. Ek het by my ?jonger suster uitgevind my ouer suster is swanger terwyl my jonger sus op die foon was met my ma.

En toe my ousus my bel om my te vertel, toe sê ek ek weet reeds. En sy sê: “So what? Is ons die Walkers?” Maar dit ís wat hulle geskep het. Hulle het regte gesinsverhoudings geskep.

Macfarlane: En baie van die skrywers het gesinne en hulle neem ervarings daaruit en skryf daaroor. Die hele storielyn met Scotty kom van een van die skrywers wat gay is. En hy en sy lewensmaat is, wel, Kevin en Scotty, om eerlik te wees! (Lag.)

En daarmee is die tyd verby en die twee Hollywood-sterre op hul pad uit. Maar nie voor daar nog drukkies en goeie wense uitgedeel word nie.

“Dis die mense wat vir my uitgestaan het,” vertel Annable. “Ek en Luke het daaroor gepraat, oor hoe wonderlik al die mense was die hele tyd wat ons hier was. Ons is soos koninklikes behandel,” sê hy.

“Ons het spesifiek ervaar die Suid-Afrikaners is baie op die man af. Hulle is ’n bietjie meer reguit as Amerikaners, wat ons baie verfrissend gevind het,” las Macfarlane by.

En ’n hoogtepunt van wat hulle hier gesien het?

“Bobbejane,” laat Macfarlane dadelik hoor.

Hulle lag.

Annable vertel van die voorreg om by Kaappunt te staan en die twee oseane ineen te sien smelt. “Ek het nooit gedink ek sal daar staan en dit sien nie.”

• Brothers & Sisters se derde seisoen begin in Augustus op M-Net.

Walkers  se wee

Brothers & Sisters is ’n Amerikaanse dramareeks wat in September 2006 op die ABC-kanaal afgeskop het. Dit handel oor die Walker-familielede en hul lewe in Los Angeles, Kalifornië.

Sally Field het in 2007 ’n Emmy gewen vir haar rol as Nora Walker, terwyl Rachel Griffiths vir ’n Emmy benoem is as beste vrouebyspeler in ’n dramareeks. Daar is reeds in April vanjaar aangekondig dat daar ’n vierde seisoen van Brothers & Sisters op pad is.

Click here for English translation

Thanks to Ania Rokita, who is a member of our Facebook fanpage for Luke Macfarlane, she has allowed me to post these candid shots of Luke while he was at a party during his time in South Africa. There are four pics in all. The pics are located in the gallery under the “Candids” section.

Please DO NOT POST these pics anywhere else. They are copyrighted by Ania Rokita.

Luke Macfarlane was mentioned in today’s South African newspaper, “The Times,” about his stay in South Africa with Dave Annable. Both were interviewed for the newspaper.

Source: The Times

‘Don’t ask about topless kiss’
Published:Jun 04, 2009
Gabisile Ndebele

Aunty M-Net protects US soapie stars from media’s embarrassing questions

M-NET has secured two of the stars of the hit US drama Brothers and Sisters to trumpet the series’ third season in South Africa, to start in August.

They are Dave Annable, who plays the role of the youngest brother, Justin Walker, and Luke MacFarlane, who plays the lover of the middle brother, Kevin Walker.

But reporters were forbidden by the broadcaster to ask the actors personal questions, at least one of which would have been about the recent scandal involving series co-star Balthazar Getty, who ditched his wife — fashion designer Rosetta Millington, with whom he has four children — for British starlet Sienna Miller.

In 2008, paparazzi snapped Getty kissing a topless Miller on holiday in Italy, soon after his wife gave birth to their fourth child.

Getty and Millington have since separated but have yet to start divorce proceedings. London’s Daily Mail reported that Miller dumped Getty last month for having “too much baggage”.

Also last year, Getty was reportedly booted out of the series as a regular character. This followed a reported fall-out with other cast members about his affair, but the show’s producers cited plot lines and budgetary factors for their decision.

Annable and MacFarlane have put up at Sol Kerzner’s luxurious One & Only hotel, in Cape Town.

MacFarlane says he is “dying to meet” retired archbishop Desmond Tutu for the second time. He first met the Nobel prize winner in Canada when he was 13.

MacFarlane says that, unlike his character, he is neither gay nor long-suffering.

Annable — an admitted “goof ball” and video game junkie, who says he is neither “intense” nor a drug addict like his character — said he couldn’t wait to return to the US to tell all his friends and family what a “beautiful country South Africa is, and how the people are so generous and friendly”.

Brothers and Sisters revolves around the upper-crust Walker family, who discover that their late father had a lengthy affair and that they have a younger sibling.

The show also stars two-times Oscar winner Sally Field and Calista Flockhart. Annable said working with them was “like a dream”.

“I feel like asking them for autographs every day we are at work in case my job doesn’t work out — then I can just sell their signatures on e-Bay,” he joked.

Annable and MacFarlane arrived in South Africa on Monday and will return to the US tomorrow.

They have already visited Cape Point, and will visit the Sabi Sabi game reserve, near the Kruger National Park.

“Its such a pity that we couldn’t get to Table Mountain because I have heard so much about it. We tried to go yesterday but were told it was closed,” Annable said.

“But I am going to come back in summer to this beautiful place, just to go to that mountain.”

Luke Macfarlane along with Dave Annable are in South Africa to promote Brothers & Sisters. They were there this morning doing a radio show in Cape Town called KFM on 94.5 FM. They later will be heading to Johannesburg and then to the Sabi Game Reserve.

Thanks to member, Karen, who lives in South Africa, for the heads up.

Pictures from the KFM event are posted in the gallery.