Justin Taylor
Justin Taylor is a fictional character and one of the primary protagonists in the American television series Queer as Folk, which aired on Showtime from 2000 to 2005.[1] Portrayed by actor Randy Harrison, Taylor is depicted as a talented teenage artist from Pittsburgh who discovers his homosexuality and immerses himself in the local gay community.[2] His character arc centers on a passionate, on-again-off-again romantic and sexual relationship with the older advertising executive Brian Kinney, which serves as a driving narrative force throughout the series.[1] Taylor's story involves navigating family rejection, a violent homophobic assault following his high school prom, and pursuits in art school and early career endeavors as an animator and gallery artist.[3] The character's experiences highlight themes of personal growth, resilience amid adversity, and the complexities of intimate relationships within a milieu characterized by casual encounters, nightlife, and community bonds.[4] While the series garnered acclaim for its candid portrayal of gay male life, Taylor's initiation into adult sexuality at age 17 with a 30-year-old partner drew scrutiny regarding power dynamics and maturity disparities.[1]Creation and Portrayal
Development and Casting
The character of Justin Taylor was developed by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman for the American adaptation of Queer as Folk, transforming the British series' Nathan Maloney into a 17-year-old aspiring artist navigating first love and identity in Pittsburgh.[5] Unlike the UK version's 15-year-old Nathan, Justin's age was increased to 17 to mitigate concerns over depicting underage sexuality in a U.S. context, while emphasizing his artistic ambitions and resilience amid personal and societal challenges.[6] This adaptation retained core themes of youthful exploration in gay culture but localized settings and expanded on Justin's creative growth, reflecting Cowen and Lipman's intent to portray authentic LGBTQ+ experiences for American audiences.[7] Casting for Justin proved challenging amid industry resistance, with major talent agencies discouraging auditions due to the series' explicit content and perceived risks in 1999.[7] Randy Harrison, a 23-year-old theater actor with no prior on-camera experience, auditioned in Los Angeles just one month after relocating to New York City following his graduation from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.[8] His agent secured the opportunity despite Harrison's limited resume, which included stage roles in productions like Grease and Anything Goes.[8] Producers cast him after a single initial audition followed by two callbacks, noting the urgency to fill the role amid sparse options.[9] Harrison, who came out as gay at age 16, was drawn to the project for its potential to advance gay representation on television, stating he sought media reflecting his own experiences with sexuality.[7] Filming began in Toronto in summer 1999, with the series premiering on Showtime on December 3, 2000.[7] This rapid selection highlighted the show's unconventional casting approach, prioritizing fresh talent over established names to capture the raw energy of Justin's character arc.[9]Performance by Randy Harrison
Randy Harrison portrayed Justin Taylor in all five seasons of the Showtime series Queer as Folk, from its premiere on December 3, 2000, to the series finale on May 7, 2005.[4] As an openly gay actor making his television debut at age 22, Harrison embodied the character's journey from a sexually curious high school student to a resilient young artist facing relational turbulence, a hate crime bashing, and professional aspirations.[4] His performance emphasized Justin's unapologetic embrace of his homosexuality, diverging from conventional narratives of internal torment over orientation by depicting a protagonist who navigates discovery with bold determination.[4] Harrison's depiction involved physically and emotionally demanding sequences, including graphic depictions of sexual encounters that pushed boundaries for network television at the time. In a February 2001 online chat hosted by Showtime, he described the nudity in scenes as incidental to character dynamics, noting that constant motion during intimate moments minimized focus on explicit details while prioritizing emotional conveyance.[10] This approach allowed Harrison to sustain authenticity in Justin's evolving relationship with Brian Kinney, portrayed through cycles of infatuation, conflict, and maturation without artificial restraint in early episodes.[11] Over the series, his acting matured to reflect Justin's growth, balancing vulnerability—such as post-assault recovery—with assertive independence, as seen in arcs involving family estrangement and artistic pursuits.[4] The performance garnered acclaim for its raw portrayal of queer youth experiences, earning Harrison a dedicated fanbase and contributing to the series' cultural impact.[12] Justin Taylor was ranked among the top three LGBT television characters by AfterEllen in 2007, praised for Harrison's skillful navigation of the role's complexities.[4] Critics and observers noted his ability to evolve the character beyond initial boyish naivety, fostering viewer investment in Justin's arc amid the show's provocative themes.[4]Character Profile
Personality and Background
Justin Taylor is depicted as a young aspiring artist from a middle-class suburban family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who enters the city's vibrant gay neighborhood, Liberty Avenue, upon discovering his homosexuality. At the series' outset in 2000, he is an 18-year-old high school senior attending St. James Academy, characterized by his initial naivety and eagerness to explore adult experiences beyond his sheltered upbringing.[13]
His family background includes parents Craig and Jennifer Taylor, with Craig portrayed as a conservative real estate professional who reacts with rejection and disowns Justin after learning of his sexual orientation, exacerbating tensions and prompting Justin's push toward independence. Jennifer, initially conflicted, gradually provides support, while his younger sister Molly navigates sibling dynamics amid family upheaval. Justin's personality evolves significantly, as noted by actor Randy Harrison, from finishing puberty and losing his virginity to developing greater maturity and resilience in facing personal and societal challenges.[14][15]
Known for an optimistic and tenacious disposition, Justin exhibits quirky charisma and observational acuity, particularly in his artistic pursuits, which serve as a core aspect of his identity and growth throughout the narrative.[16]