#jake borelli

Niko Terho as Harry Turpin in The Thing About Harry (2020) trailer Directed by Peter Paige Written by Peter Paige & Joshua Senter

Terho, who jokes that he was originally just thrilled about a free trip to Los Angeles when he got the call to read for the film, says he's honored to inhabit a character whose identity is so open.

"I was like, 'OK, rom-com, awesome,'" Terho says of first seeing the script. "Then there was just so many other factors in it that were just like, 'I don't think that's been done before.'"

The actor says he found a lot in common with Harry in terms of his affability and openness, which plays off of Sam's more fastidious nature to a tee. In terms of pansexual visibility, he knew he would be playing an underrepresented part of the LGBTQ community. The only reference point for pan representation on film and TV Terho could think of is Dan Levy's character David on Schitt's Creek.

"I think it's so perfect for his [Harry's] character," Terho says. "He's very open to all sorts of experiences. It just sums him up completely. He's such a great character and a new character and I get to really make it my own because nobody has any preconceived notions about it."

Terho, who grew up in Barbados, says he's hopeful that The Thing About Harry will impact the lives of LGBTQ people back home in positive ways.

"It would have been so great growing up and seeing a romantic comedy with that being represented so that we get a better understanding of everything," Terho says. "This movie will speak to so many people back at home, and I think that it'll do tremendous things for just information around the world."

Schmitt: I’ve been studying for this surgery for three weeks.

Jo: seniority.

Schmitt: special treatment.

Jo: oh yeah? How’d you get in on it?