Interview: Victor Webster is "Melrose Place"'s Gay 2.0

When the CW announced they were relaunching the iconic 90s Fox nighttime soap opera Melrose Place, the first question for many gay viewers was what the show would do with the character of Matt Fielding.

While Matt was one of the first regularly occurring gay roles on television, he was also a sexless character usually playing a supporting part in other character’s storylines. And when Matt did finally have a boyfriend, Fox was so concerned about showing the kiss that they cut away from the big moment.

Fast forward 17 years to the new Melrose Place. While Melrose 2.0 doesn’t have a gay character amongst the regularly occurring roles, the show does include Caleb Brewer, played by Victor Webster, as the ruthless boss of the publicity firm where Ella Simms, the show’s new vixen, works. We haven’t seen much of Caleb thus far, but we do know he smokes cigars, loves sports, is unapologetically gay and will do anything to get what he wants.

AfterElton.com recently talked with Victor Webster about playing a "non-traditional" gay character, his good looks and some of those ugly Hollywood stereotypes.

AfterElton.com: Any word on whether you've been signed for additional episodes at this point? I read with The Advocate where you hadn't heard yet how long you're going to be on.
Victor Webster: I'm going to be around for a while. There's no exact number, but I'm not going anywhere any time soon.

AE: What do you know about the addition of Heather Locklear and how that's going to affect Caleb's situation?
VW: You know what? I don't know. I'm going to find out at the table read tomorrow actually. I know that she's coming onto the show and I know she's going to shake things up. I don't know how it affects me, although it's probably going to in some way. But like I said, I'm around for a while, so it can't affect me that much. I'm just looking forward to having some sparks fly.

AE: What did the producers first tell you about the role of Caleb? When I talked to them at the TCA, they kind of made a big deal out of what he was going to be like, so when you first got the script and you read for the role, what did they tell you about him?
VW: They told me that I was a very non-stereotypical gay character in film and television. The way a lot of gay characters are portrayed is very flamboyant or very effeminate. This is a character who likes sports, likes cigars, drinks whiskey, and happens to like guys. Especially on TV, as soon as you see a character, you know he's gay by the way that person is acting. This guy you don't know unless he tells you. For me, a lot of my friends who are gay, that's the way they are, so I believe it reflects reality.

AE: Did that appeal to you about playing that character? Did you think, "I want to do something different?"
VW: Yeah. I like the ability to show Fred and Estelle in the Midwest that not all gay characters are the same, that no matter what, people are just people and who you're attracted to shouldn't make a difference in who you are as a person or the way you're judged as a person. It's nice to show that there are so many different types of people.