Michael Johnston Wants to Play a 'Really Intentional Queer Role' Next

Actor Michael Johnston says he is actively seeking a meaningful queer role for his next project.

He shared his goal in a recent interview on the "I've Never Said This Before" podcast, according to a report from Deadline. Johnston, who is openly gay, explained that now he gets to choose his roles, he wants the character's story to be deeply intentional.

What did Michael Johnston say?

"My whole thing has been that what the character’s sexuality is doesn’t matter to me," Johnston said. "It’s just another part of who they are, and that’s how I am."

"But that being said, growing up in the Bible Belt can be problematic for a gay boy. And you know, that was a whole kind of experience, and so I definitely am looking forward to playing a really intentional queer role, story that’s really meaningful."

What is his background for this goal?

Johnston reflected on his time playing Corey Bryant on MTV's "Teen Wolf" from 2015 to 2017. He recalled he "still wasn’t comfortable with my sexuality at the time" and said, "I got thousands of messages from people thanking me and telling me how they feel better about themselves."

"The impact that I made just from doing something that scared me and being brave… also kind of helped me learn how to accept myself, so that’s something I’m really looking forward to," Johnston added. "I don’t know, maybe I’ll write it myself."

His comments follow a major career breakout with his starring role as Bear in the 2026 horror film "Obsession."