The 30-year-old “Outer Banks” star, Drew Starkey, was auditioning for various roles when Luca Guadagnino, the director of “Challengers” and “Call Me by Your Name,” saw one of his self-tapes through a producer friend. Starkey was soon invited to breakfast with Guadagnino. “I was like, ‘OK, that’s insane,’” Starkey recalls during a Zoom interview with Variety from his L.A. home. Sporting a buzzcut and mustache, Starkey shared that over the next few months, he and Guadagnino had several more meals together as the director explained his vision for “Queer,” an adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ 1985 novel. Eventually, Starkey auditioned for the role of Eugene Allerton, a young student in 1950s Mexico City who becomes the object of American expat William Lee’s (played by Daniel Craig) obsession—and he got the part.
Starkey described the experience as feeling “really organic,” noting that it’s not usually how things happen in the industry. “Luca really wants to get to know his actors as well as possible, not just from a performance standpoint, but from a human standpoint,” Starkey said. He also mentioned that he was thrilled just to have the opportunity to converse with a director and artist he admired, regardless of whether he landed the role.
With “Queer” set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Starkey is poised for a breakout moment, similar to those experienced by other actors who have worked with Guadagnino, like Timothée Chalamet and Josh O’Connor. In the interview, Starkey talks about his journey into acting, the challenges of his role in “Queer,” and his experience working with Daniel Craig.
Reflecting on his start in acting, Starkey shared that he grew up doing theater, which allowed him to express himself in a way he couldn’t in his everyday life. Movies were a window into the world for him, especially growing up in a small town in rural North Carolina. He recalled falling in love with films at a young age, influenced by movies his dad showed him, like “Cool Hand Luke” and “Forrest Gump.” He later discovered filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson, whose work, particularly “There Will Be Blood,” left a lasting impact on him.
Starkey also discussed the surreal experience of gaining fame during the COVID-19 pandemic through Netflix’s “Outer Banks.” The delayed impact of fame allowed him some time to adjust to the changes in his life.
Regarding his preparation for “Queer,” Starkey admitted that he hadn’t read Burroughs’ “Queer” before landing the role but quickly became engrossed in the Beat Generation, particularly the works of Kerouac and Ginsberg. He described his character, Allerton, as ambiguous and challenging to portray, noting that even now, he’s still pondering the character’s complexities.
Starkey shared his experience working with Daniel Craig, admitting that while he was initially starstruck, Craig’s down-to-earth nature quickly put him at ease. The two actors developed their characters’ dynamic through rehearsals, movement choreography, and conversations, guided by Guadagnino’s vision.
When it came to filming the steamy scenes between their characters, Starkey said that both he and Craig were “game for anything.” They approached the scenes with a sense of fun and trust, and Luca Guadagnino ensured they were comfortable throughout the process.
As he takes on his biggest film role yet, Starkey admitted to feeling intimidated at times but trusted Guadagnino’s direction. He hopes viewers will connect with “Queer” and that it might serve as a gateway to exploring more unique films, much like “There Will Be Blood” did for him.
Looking ahead, Starkey said he is eager to work on diverse projects with people who have a clear vision and to avoid becoming too predictable in his career. He also joked that he would work with Guadagnino for the rest of his life if given the chance.
