Michael Johnston fresh off his breakout turn as the hopeless romantic Bear in Curry Barker‘s Obsession has let fans know that a new queer story is on the horizon, complete with a promised steamy moment that aims to resonate with LGBTQ audiences.
Before the acclaim of Obsession Johnston first entered mainstream consciousness playing Corey Bryant on MTV’s Teen Wolf from 2015 to 2017. At the time, he was not publicly coming out and the role placed him in one of the few openly gay teen characters on television. Though concealed, the performance sparked a flood of personal messages from viewers who said the character helped them accept themselves, and some even used it as a catalyst to tell their families.
From Teen Wolf to Obsession: a queer actor’s evolution
Personal background and the road to self-acceptance
Born and raised in a Southern Baptist household in North Carolina, Johnston recalls learning early that “being gay was the worst thing you could be, sending you straight to hell.” He describes those formative years as a battle against self-loathing, repeatedly calling himself “an abomination.” The internal conflict only began to dissolve after he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting, where repeated portrayals of gay men gradually shifted his perception from weakness to strength.
New queer project promised with a steamy scene
In a recent sit-down with a leading gay-culture magazine, the actor said, “There will be a really incredible queer story in my future, and I’m so excited to play it and to have my steamy moment.” He emphasized that, after the success of Obsession he now has the freedom to “choose what I want to do,” prioritising projects that feel purposeful and authentic. The hinted-at film promises an intentional narrative centred on LGBTQ experiences, with a scene designed to celebrate intimacy rather than sensationalise it.
Beyond the mysterious queer film, Johnston is reportedly in talks to join the fourth installment of The Mummy alongside Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. While details remain under wraps, his involvement signals a willingness to blend mainstream franchise work with his advocacy for nuanced representation. He also appeared on the cover of the October issue of the magazine and attended the Attitude Awards in London on 7 October, where he reiterated his commitment to meaningful storytelling.
Reflecting on his own journey, Johnston admits that playing gay characters before publicly identifying as gay taught him empathy and gave him “a voice for people who feel invisible.” He hopes the upcoming project will serve a similar purpose, perhaps even prompting him to write the script himself. By turning personal vulnerability into artistic courage, he believes he can continue to provide representation that encourages others to step out of the shadows.
