Luke Fetherston

Luke’s energy at its core is an aura of warm, uplifting light. His vibrancy somehow grows even more, becoming infectious in the loveliest of ways as he exclaims his adoration and love for the many projects he’s a part of. This includes Picture This, a feel-good romantic comedy filled with matchmaking and wedding festivities, where Luke plays the buoyant, caring, and wildly hilarious Jay, as well as his role in the newest season of the fantasy series, The Wheel of Time. Similar to Luke’s current life imagery, these projects contrast in theme and pace, yet Luke carries his diverse roles with industrious grace and versatility. We flow through our conversation with love on the brain the whole way - not just the classic, lovey-dovey type we see in romantic comedies, but the type of love that follows us into our friendships, passions, careers, and daily encounters.

What comes to mind when you imagine your current state of life? Perhaps it’s the swirl of steam in a fresh cup of tea against warm morning light, or a string of salty ocean waves surrendering to the sun’s summer reign. For Luke, the imagery defining his life at the moment is a meeting point of London at rush hour and a wooded forest of fantastical myths and ethereal beings. It’s a place that I would love to step into myself. Though painting this picture bridges two spaces that feel slightly contradictory in nature, the way Luke describes them simply makes sense - especially given how busy and magical his life has truly been at the moment.

Picture This and The Wheel of Time’s season three premier are out now on Amazon Prime Video.

What was the highlight of your week thus far?
Well, it's London Fashion Week, so it's been quite chaotic. Yesterday I attended the Maximilian Raynor show which was really incredible. Then, this morning, I saw Daniel W. Fletcher's new collection for Mithridate.

That sounds amazing! Was this your first time attending London Fashion Week?
I've been there before. It's always fun to see familiar faces and different types of artists!

What is an image you can imagine that defines your life at the moment?
Oh gosh, I think something busy - something that has a sort of rush hour feeling, but a bit more fun and ethereal, like a mystical forest!

You play Jay in the new film Picture This, a fun and heartfelt romantic comedy. What was your favourite romantic comedy growing up?
Is Bridget Jones's Diary considered a romantic comedy? [laughs]

I feel like it is! That’s one of my favourites too.
Yeah, it’s such a good one. Another favourite is 10 Things I Hate About You.

Another great one! I haven’t actually seen the most recent Bridget Jones film.
I haven’t either! It’s been busy recently.

It’s been a constant rush hour!
[laughs] Yes!

Jumping more into Picture This, how do you find your character Jay and you as a person intersect in the ways you show up for your loved ones?
We intersect quite a lot, to be honest. When I read the script, I was thrilled at how constant Jay was throughout Pia’s journey. Often, the ‘gay best friend’ role can come in for a hot second for comedic relief, but it was nice to see that he had an emotional arc that ran parallel to Pia’s and informed her arc. I found that very relative to the relationships I have with my girlfriends, and I think Jay and Pia’s relationship in the film highlights the importance of platonic love between gay men and their girlfriends.

Those relationships foster a deep connection without the interference of romance and sexual attraction, and therefore you're able to exist in that space together, in a safe and non-judgmental space. It allows you to explore your identity with each other. That was what I found most appealing about Jay because it felt very true to the relationships that I have with my girlfriends and also the relationships I see my other gay friends have with their girlfriends. We are very present and are the leading men in their lives, I like to say, but we're not often shown that way in media.

Absolutely! Jay also shares his coming-out story in the film, which is wonderful to see. I find that those coming-out stories are so important for people of any age to encounter in the media. How do you feel about the importance of sharing these experiences?
They're incredibly important. What was nice about this film and the team - the Art Director in particular - was that I was given the freedom to edit and advise. You mentioned the coming out scene, and originally it was pretty traumatic. When I had my first meeting with Prarthana Mohan, before I got the job, she asked me my opinions on the script. I said, “We don't need to make every coming-out story so difficult. Some aren't." In the original script, Jay's dad left when I was young and hasn't spoken to him, you know? I said, "This is just unnecessary." The team was very kind, gracious and understanding about it, so we toned it down a bit. I'm very happy with the outcome of that.

Jay plays the best friend and even introduces himself once as the “gay best friend” in the film. This title has had adverse connotations in the past or has been exploited at times in the media. How do you feel this term and queer roles, in general, are being redefined and reclaimed by queer people?
I think it’s really beneficial to younger actors to be able to see someone successful and gay playing a multitude of roles. And also, a lot of queer and gay roles on screen are surrounded by trauma, so I enjoy reading roles that aren't that. Sexuality is just something that is there, rather than being so significant in creating some sort of experience.

A plot point in the film is the main character’s sister’s wedding. Who would be your ideal date for a wedding?
Oh my god. Well, in the present time, I'd definitely say one of my best mates, just for the banter and the fun. For a past person, perhaps I'd like to go to a wedding with Judy Garland? It would be a great life experience - the charisma, the talent, and the phrase, he's a “friend of Dorothy” springs to mind as well! I think it would be so amazing.

There are some beautiful relationships in this film, with you and Pia, her and her sister, and of course Pia and her love interest. Who are some of the people in your life that you find support and community from?
My sister and my best friends - my girlfriends. I've got quite a small circle of very close friends - Dan, Gary, Hannah, Carla, and Buck - all of them are my best friends!

There are some very sweet moments in this film! What was your most memorable moment that you were a part of this film?
I've got a couple, to be honest. My first day on set was the beginning of the film, with the fortune teller and Pia’s family. I sat next to Sindhu Venkatanarayanan [Vee] for two days, and she's just so funny! That was incredibly memorable because it was my first couple of days and our first scene. We were all together, and she was just off the rails funny!

Then secondly, there was a day when Simone [Ashley] and I just had the day together and we were doing the date scene with Jay and Pia, where her hair caught fire, so that was a really nice balance. We got to be super intimate and sensitive, but also kind of chaotic and funny.

The film, of course, touches upon heavier subjects but is overall lighthearted and buoyant. How important do you find these kinds of stories are, to ride alongside the others that are grittier in our media?
Yeah, it’s very important, because it just reflects the human experience authentically. Life comes with its ups and downs, so I think highlighting them both in a film is just very accurate.

What sort of person do you think will love your character in particular?
I'm hoping people who have a gay best friend will recognise and be reminded that whilst we can offer tough love when it’s needed, we are also able and very good at listening and understanding.

Pia goes on a few blind dates in the film. I was wondering, have you ever been on a blind date?
I haven't been on a blind date, but I've been set up before. I don't know if that counts as a blind date.

I feel like that does count as one!
Yeah, close enough! It wasn’t successful though [laughs]. But I don’t know, perhaps blind dates are the way to go for people moving forward. I mean, everything is so chronically online nowadays. It’s all so visible to us. It's so silly as well, isn't it? The energy of someone is so, so different when you meet them. I've met people before in person after seeing them online and was like, wow, I wouldn't have expected them to be that way, you know?

Jay has some great one-liners in the film. What was your favourite line of dialogue in this role?
I got to improvise quite a bit, which was really fun. In Jay's first line, where Pia is running at the very beginning of the film out the door to go and meet her mum and sister, Jay says, “Oh, you look like you're running from good taste.” I thought that was really funny. It was very fun for me to think of a good one-liner at the beginning, and I landed with that.

What are some art pieces or projects lately that have gotten you inspired and excited?
I was actually just discussing that. I've just finished reading The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, and I'm completely obsessed with the book. I would love for it to be turned into a film or movie or a TV series. I haven't been to any art exhibitions or galleries recently, but since it's award season, watching a lot of films has been really nice.

Oh gosh, I love The Song of Achilles. The pace of the book is so interesting as well.
Yes, and her other novel Circe is also wonderful. The knowledge of Homer’s text that she puts into the books as well blows my mind!

You are also in the new season of the series The Wheel of Time, how has this role felt different from the others you have been in?
It couldn't be more different, physically and emotionally. Gawyn of Andor is a prince, and his title is “the first prince of the sword”, so I did about eight weeks of stunt training, fighting every single day with a sword, back flipping on walls - I mean, it's absolutely wild! I got to wear a wig, too. It felt full on fantasy, which was just an absolute dream. It really could not be more different. It’s amazing to have the opportunity to go from one end of the scale to the polar opposite, right?

What is a role you would like to jump into that you haven’t had the opportunity to do yet?
I’d perhaps like to do a romantic role, like an indie film, romantic role. I've done a lot of comedy and fantasy, so it's all quite heightened. I’d like to do something that feels more…grounded.

Since we’re about to go into the weekend, what does your perfect weekend look like?
I’m trying to think of something that isn’t a boring answer [laughs]. Perhaps not every weekend, but I enjoy a weekend going out and dancing with my best mates. I grew up in theatre, so I love to dance - I love to go to a rave and literally dance the night away, even just on my own!

I love being home though, too. I’ll happily sit at home and play Fortnite with my best mates as well, and have fun just doing that. Then after that, I’ll have a Sunday roast, which I tend to do most weekends. This weekend, though, I have the premier for The Wheel of Time, so that’s exciting!