Even though it was never said, it was implied that original High School Musical character Ryan Evans was gay.
Now, in the new Disney+ series, you won’t have to wonder about Carlos, played by Frankie Rodriguez, because it’s a fact.
Talking with Variety about his role in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Frankie shared his thanks to showrunner Tim Federle all while addressing the diversity and representation in the show.
“I think it’s very important,” he shared. “Growing up as a little Mexican gay kid, there’s not really much to look to so I remember after we wrapped just thanking our showrunner Tim [Federle] for creating a character like Carlos.”
Frankie added that Carlos is “not a gimmick. He’s not the butt of a joke. He’s just a kid, existing in high school who loves musical theater and has a passion for it.”
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is a 10-episode series that picks up nearly 15 years after the original movie aired at the real-life location where it all began: East High.
It follows a group of students as they countdown to the opening night of their school’s first-ever production of High School Musical.
Check out the trailer and first look pics now!
Posted to:Frankie A. Rodriguez High School Musical Television