Drew Starkey’s unexpected journey to ‘Queer’: A conversation with the rising star
A serendipitous casting
Drew Starkey, known for his role in “Outer Banks,” didn’t audition for Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer.” Instead, the project found him. While sending self-tapes for various roles, a producer friend showed one of Starkey’s tapes to Guadagnino. This led to an unexpected breakfast invitation from the acclaimed director of “Challengers” and “Call Me by Your Name.”
“I was like, ‘OK, that’s insane,'” Starkey recalls, speaking from his L.A. home over Zoom. Sporting a buzzcut and mustache, he shares how the two bonded over several meals as Guadagnino explained his vision for “Queer,” an adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ 1985 novel. Starkey eventually landed the role of Eugene Allerton, a drug-addicted discharged Navy serviceman in 1940s Mexico City, who becomes the object of William Lee’s (played by Daniel Craig) infatuation.
The organic process
Starkey describes the casting process as “really organic,” a rarity in the industry. Guadagnino’s approach was to get to know his actors on a personal level, not just from a performance standpoint.
“I didn’t care if anything came of it,” Starkey says. “I was like, ‘Great, I get to sit down and have conversations with a director and an artist that I look up to and admire. What a beautiful thing.'”
With “Queer” premiering at the Venice Film Festival, Starkey is poised for a breakout moment similar to those experienced by Timothée Chalamet and Josh O’Connor under Guadagnino’s direction.
From theater to film
Starkey’s journey into acting began in his childhood, performing in theater. Growing up in a rural area of North Carolina, movies were his window to the world.
“My dad showed me a lot of Paul Newman, like ‘Cool Hand Luke,’ when I was 13. We had ‘Forrest Gump’ on — I watched that movie from the ages of 8 to 19. I’ve probably watched it 100 times,” he reminisces. Discovering Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood” at 14 was a pivotal moment, opening the floodgates to a myriad of filmmakers.
The ‘Outer Banks’ phenomenon
Starkey’s rise to fame came during the COVID-19 pandemic with Netflix’s “Outer Banks.” The delayed publicity allowed him to adjust to his newfound fame gradually.
“It was very bizarre and surreal,” he says. “But I think that was ultimately good, because if we would have hit the ground running right away after that first season and gone out into the world, it would have been harder for me to adjust to it.”
Diving into ‘Queer’
Starkey wasn’t familiar with Burroughs’ “Queer” before meeting Guadagnino. However, he quickly immersed himself in the book, captivated by the Beat Generation.
“Ambiguity, really, which was a challenge,” Starkey says of his character, Allerton. “He’s an ambiguous figure and kind of restricted in his own self, but there’s a sense of longing there.”
Working with Daniel Craig
Meeting Daniel Craig was a starstruck moment for Starkey, but Craig’s kindness and goofiness quickly put him at ease.
“He’s an incredibly kind, goofy, beautiful person and very giving actor and a good friend,” Starkey says. ”He never took anything too seriously. I would have imploded on that set if Daniel wasn’t there just to keep it moving.”
Filming intimate scenes
Starkey and Craig shared several steamy scenes in “Queer.” Starkey describes the process as treating it like any other scene, with added communication about comfort levels.
“Daniel and I were just game for anything. We just were like, ‘Let’s go for it, let’s have fun,'” he says. “Luca was so specific — he wanted us to be as comfortable as possible throughout that process.”
Facing the challenge
“Queer” marks Starkey’s most significant film role to date, and working with an auteur like Guadagnino was intimidating.
“I always feel like I’m messing it up, especially early on,” he admits. “But I knew that I could trust Luca very quickly because he would tell you if it’s not right.”
Hopes for ‘Queer’
Starkey hopes “Queer” will be a gateway film for viewers, much like “There Will Be Blood” was for him.
“I hope in a way that this film could potentially be that gateway film,” he says. “This film is incredibly unique and singular and its own thing, but I hope it kind of shines a light on a whole new side of cinema for people.”
Future aspirations
Looking ahead, Starkey seeks variety in his projects and values working with people who have a vision.
“I want variety, I don’t want to sit in one thing for too long,” he says. “Also, I’ll work with Luca until I’m dead.”
For more on Drew Starkey’s journey and to watch the trailer for “Queer,” visit Queer.
For music enthusiasts, explore the soundtrack of “Queer” on Spotify.