The Cast of ‘Fire Island’ on Queer Family and Telling Our Own Stories

Arts

Jun 6

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Bowen Yang, Torian Miller, Joel Kim Booster, Matt Rogers and Tomas Matos on set of the film FIRE ISLAND. Photo by Jeong Park.

Some of the cast members of the new gay romantic comedy “Fire Island” have known each other for years, while others met each other for the first time once they were part of the ensemble. Director Andrew Ahn knew it was vital to believe the chosen family at the center of the film and brought his team together with an eye on that.

“Fire Island” - which premiered on Hulu June 3 – has a script from Joel Kim Booster, in which he parallels gay culture with none other than Jane Austen and her “Pride and Prejudice.” Booster stars as Noah, who joins his best friend Howie (Bowen Yang) on a summer outing to the New York gay mecca with fellow friends Luke (Matt Rogers), Keegan (Tomas Matos) and Max (Torian Miller). The group stay annually at the home of lesbian Erin (Margaret Cho) and this year Noah makes its his mission to help Howie find some summer love.

Other gay actors in the cast include Conrad Ricamora (“How to Get Away With Murder”) and James Scully as potential suitors and Nick Adams and Zane Phillips as fellow vacationers whose paths cross with the others. The “Fire Island” team re-assembled again recently to promote the new film.

Yang, Booster and Rogers all knew each other beforehand. Rogers and Yang met in college and have remained friends. “We’ve worked together in every configuration of a show biz circumstance except for being in a film together and I think this was the perfect first dip in the waters of how fun this could be,” Yang says. “To be in an all-queer rom com with our other friends -- what a beautiful reverie of a time.”

Rogers jokes that he and Yang feel like twins born in different parts of the world on different days. “It’s really nice to be able to experience all these firsts together,” he says.

When Miller – who has family in Atlanta -- first got cast, he thought he’d be coming into an established group of friends. A lot of the cast members are based out of New York and he is from Los Angeles. “But literally from day one everyone was so open hearted, so kind, down to be around each other,” Miller says. “We had long shoot days and even between takes when we were in our trailers, we wanted to be around each other. I think that says so much about the camaraderie I was blessed enough to work with. It’s not always like that. To want to be around each other during hectic situations was so special and I feel everyone here is a member of my extended family.”

Andrew Ahn and Joel Kim Booster on the set of the film FIRE ISLAND.
Photo by Jeong Park.

Matos feels they are getting over a transitional period in their career life, coming from a dance background, and getting into more film and TV. The prospect could be scary, they admit, but they were a bit surprised the more veteran actors took them under their wings so easily. Matos left the shoot with what they call some new uncles and aunties.

“Fire Island” has an all-gay cast, as well as an out director. That was a particular appeal to Ricamora. “I feel like no one else gets our stories like we get our stories,” Ricamora says. “We should be telling our stories and we are (here). It’s one of the reasons (this film) has so much heart.”

When he read the script, he knew it would be a special project, but he had even more appreciation after seeing the finished product. Especially for his co-stars. “Everyone has known Joel and Bowen and Matt from their comedy careers but to see everyone move through with integrity and such grounded performances as well, and not just jokes on jokes on jokes - I was not expecting it to feel so profound in the way that it is.”

The film is also a heck of a calling card for the allure of Fire Island. “Not everybody gets to go (there),” says Ricamora. “We take that for granted when we live in New York so I am excited for (the film) to gather up everyone and tell them to check out this place. It can be a magical escape and it’s a place to go with your chosen family.”

“Fire Island” is streaming now on Hulu.

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