Harvey Guillén Makes LGBTQ+ Latinx History With Critics’ Choice Nod

Author: Daniel Reynolds

There’s fangtastic news for Harvey Guillén.
Guillén, who portrays the familiar-turned-slayer Guillermo on the FX comedy What We Do in the Shadows, is the first queer Latinx actor nominated in his category at the Critics’ Choice Awards.
Guillén is competing in Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Notably, the category has a majority of out competitors; Guillén will vie against Daniel Levy (Schitt’s Creek), Alex Newell (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist), and Andrew Rannells (Black Monday). Guillén’s Shadows costar Mark Proksch and William Fichtner (Mom) are also up for the award.
“It is an absolute honor to be the first queer Latinx Critics’ Choice nominee as a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series,” Guillén told The Advocate. “My hope is that this path becomes one more traveled as we continue to take steps forward in creating a more inclusive industry for all. In this moment, I am celebrating my fellow artists of color and the LGBTQ+ community. There is power in diversity!”
Last year, Guillén was nominated for playing Guillermo — a fan favorite on the series — by GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics. In a previous interview, he told The Advocate that growing up, he had never seen himself reflected in media, which spurred him to be an agent for change in Hollywood.
“Eventually, you start to think, if there’s not a mold for me, then I’m going to be the first fucking mold,” said Guillén, “because I’m not going to allow someone coming behind me to be disheartened or discouraged because they don’t see someone like them … represented on TV or film.”

Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Daniel Reynolds