“New Girl” cast member Max Greenfield talks to AfterElton about his gay roles and onscreen kisses

Michael Jensen, who stepped down last week as editor of AfterElton.com after a stellar six-year run, recently interviewed actor Max Greenfield who is one of the cast members of the new hit sitcom New Girl.

The adorable actor first gained notice as Officer Leo on Veronica Mars then had a pair of gay roles. First he was frat boy Calvin’s first on-screen kiss on Greek and last season, he guested on ABC’s Happy Endings as Max’s boyfriend.

Here is an excerpt from his interview with Michael:

AE: Well, we’re really appreciative with what you’ve done with gay roles, because even though it’s 2011 it’s a whole lot better than it was 10 years ago. There are still actors out there that wouldn’t do one, let alone multiple gay roles, so it’s really easy to be nice to you and write about you.
MG: Well it’s important. A lot of people in my life are gay, and I love them all dearly, and you kind of feel that responsibility when you take on the role to take it as seriously as you possibly can. Really respect it and play it to the best of your ability.

AE: You seem like you’re the full package. I get why you keep getting cast in gay roles, why do you think you keep getting cast in these parts?
MG: Oddly enough, both shows that I play gay on I had tested for the pilot for a different role, and then they had me come back on to play the two roles. I was actually really happy about the Greek role, I really thought that was a great role. I thought it was exciting.

We knew it was going to be the first onscreen kiss on ABC Family and I was really excited. I knew Paul James from before and I thought it was going to be, and I also knew Carter Covington, one of the writers and Shawn Smith, the creator and I knew they would do a really good job with it and they did. So that was kind of exciting and I knew they wanted to use me so when the next thing came up I think it was one of those things where they knew I would take it seriously and respect it and I all kind of worked out. On Happy Endings I tested for the pilot for Zack’s role and I didn’t get it and I was still close with the producers and I told them, “listen if you guys ever have me back on the show I want to play Adam’s boyfriend.

AE: Did you really?
MG: Yes, because I love Adam and I think he’s hilarious and we became friendly over the audition process and I said, “listen, if you guys are going to have me back the only thing I will do on the show is play Adam’s boyfriend.” (Laughs) And sure enough they had me back and they had me do it.

Here is a LINK to the rest of the interview!