Diversity in the media.

 

This is more around same-sex couples and the actors that played the characters in the TV adaptation of Shadowhunters from the book series by Casandra Clare. 

They were respectful in their representation of this couple and showed a side that hadn't really been explored before in a fantasy setting and this show didn't shy away from very real complex issues. 

This was groundbreaking in its portrayal of same-sex couples and treating them like any other couple and not queer bating it. 

 Shadowhunters Wins Outstanding Drama Series l 28th Annual GLAAD Media Award - YouTube

As Matthew Daddario has said in this clip at an award show he was glad that people knew that people would be crazy to put him up there as at the time he had very little experience in navigating the media and being a big name. 

Shadowhunters Wins Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show & Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor - YouTube

He has also been an actor that has had some hiccups but he has been able to recover from them understanding the media landscape has changed and understanding social media has been huge, in this. He has also now been able to promote other actors and projects through this understanding and the encouragement to keep up with the fan art and fan fiction has been huge. 

This engagement is a way to keep their relevance and keep relatable, and Matt has shown he is relatable in various ways and has often shown a very smart side of himself when not in character or talking about his processes from audition to filming content.  

He has talked about having a zoom audition and you're then able to focus all of your efforts on the audition and not the others in the room. In talking about this he has talked about promoting other smaller projects and how they can bring a different focus to the table he has also talked about the challenges of being in the public eye and having a young family and trying to protect them. 

These are all things that I see that do a world of good, in keeping the fan art alive and having a fandom that can do so much good. 

Yet in all of this, it was that him playing a gay role it was taking away from gay actors, I am not versed enough in the complexities of this debate but it seems to me that this is very similar to having disabled actors play disabled roles. 

However, this shows a fundamental misunderstanding of how content production works. I am all for having them in the writer's rooms and consultants but it is a very complex debate and one that we need to have realistic diversity represented on a screen. 

These actors by being able to navigate the new media landscape and promote a balance of social media interactions and media interactions are paving the way for diverse conversations to include diverse storytelling, diverse casting, and "friends of the show," in a way that includes people with disabilities.