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Chris New (born 17 August 1981) is an English film and stage actor best known for his starring role in the 2011 film Weekend. New made his screen writing and directorial debut in 2013 with the short film Ticking. He co-wrote the 2014 independent film Chicken, and co-wrote and directed the 2014 independent film A Smallholding.

Key Information

Biography and career

[edit]

New was born and raised in Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom,[1] and comes from a working-class background.[2] His father was a lorry driver and his mother held various short-term jobs, and New has an older brother.[3] According to his own account, New "ran away" from Swindon in order to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.[3] Living in London was a major change for him:[3]

...coming from a place where nothing was happening, Swindon, to suddenly this massive place, London, where there were huge amounts of things happening[,] I think I just ran around going, "Oh my God, oh my God," like a kid in a toy shop. It was a big thing for me to meet people who weren't living purely a consumer experience, because in Swindon, people rightly or wrongly live a very normal life. They go to work, they buy nice things and have nice holidays and bring up their kids. Unfortunately, there's something wrong with me which means that doesn't work, and I came to London and met loads of people for whom that doesn't work, either—where money wasn't an issue, where possessions weren't an issue, a whole different code of beliefs and faiths.

New financed his education by soliciting small donations from hundreds of people he knew.[3] While at RADA, New sang in Stephen Sondheim's musical play Assassins (he has a tenor singing voice), and performed in Joe Orton's play The Erpingham Camp as part of his A-levels in 2005.[3] He graduated from the school in 2006.[4]

Theatre work

[edit]

New has extensive theatre credits. His first professional stage credit occurred just weeks after graduation, when he appeared in the summer of 2006 as Mosby in the Elizabethan-era play Arden of Faversham at the White Bear Theatre in London. A reviewer for The Stage remarked that he played the villainous role with "brooding menace".[5] That December, he appeared as Horst opposite theatre veteran Alan Cumming in a production of Bent, by Martin Sherman, at Trafalgar Studios in London.[6] Susannah Clapp, reviewing the play for The Observer, said New is "an actor whose huge talent is unusually matched by his restraint."[7] His performance won him an Evening Standard Award nomination for the Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer of 2006,[8] and a What's On Stage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award nomination for Best London Newcomer of the Year for 2006.[9][10]

In February 2007, New took on the role of Louis in The Reporter, a play by Nicholas Wright about the mysterious suicide of BBC journalist David James Mossman in 1971. The play was produced by the Royal National Theatre at the Cottesloe Theatre in London.[11] New starred opposite Ben Chaplin. David Benedict in Variety called New's Louis "nervy, charged-up but controlled", and said the "strain of the relationship's illegality creates the play's strongest sequence."[12] Philip Fisher for The British Theatre Guide had equally good things to say, noting that "New, who received universal plaudits for his performance opposite Alan Cumming in Bent once again shows real talent as Louis."[13]

In October 2007, New played Dromio of Ephesus in William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors. The comedy was mounted by the Royal Shakespeare Company, and New was part of the national touring cast.[14] The play marked New's Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) debut.[15]

When The Comedy of Errors neared the end of its tour, New took on the role of Viola in the RSC's production of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.[16] The play is about a shipwrecked woman who adopts a male identity, only to discover her long-lost twin brother is also on the island. The Neil Bartlett production was a gender-bending one, in which the female roles were played by men, and the male roles by women.[17] John Lithgow co-starred as Malvolio.[18] Charles Spencer, writing for The Daily Telegraph, was harsh in his appraisal: "...in Chris New's performance, apart from an opening sequence in unconvincing drag, there is no attempt to capture Viola's femininity. He just comes over as a strangely charmless, somewhat priggish gay young man."[19] Michael Billington in The Guardian had few good things to say about the production as a whole, but highly praised New's performance:[18]

One idea that does pay off is the casting of a young male actor, Chris New, as Viola. Since the character spends much of the play in masculine attire as Cesario, our attention is constantly drawn to Viola's preoccupation with the sinfulness of disguise and the pathos of her situation. New, clad in an Edwardian cream-coloured suit, has an especially good moment when, in response to Olivia's enquiries about his origins, he pauses guiltily before announcing: "I am a gentleman." Caught in a gender trap of his own making, New artfully reminds us that everything Viola says about herself is in heavily inverted commas.

Other reviewers found both the production and New's performance outstanding. David Benedict, writing in Variety, said Bartlett brought a "mature emotional intelligence...to one of Shakespeare's most-produced plays", and found much to praise in New's characterization of Viola. The male-playing-female-playing male conceit, he said, relieves New "of the distracting business of allowing auds to see how well or ill he pulls off the task of female impersonation. This allows him much more room to explore depth of emotion in both guises, something he accomplishes with truly arresting poise."[20] What's On Stage's anonymous reviewer also greatly enjoyed New's performance, noting: "Playing a woman who in turn plays a man, New is superbly deft and delicate, richly deserving of further accolades."[21]

New subsequently starred as Simon Bliss in a July 2008 revival of Noël Coward's 1924 comedy, Hay Fever at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, England. Critic Mark Powell wrote in Metro News that "It's hard to see how this reasonably plush production could have been cast much better as Belinda Lang and Chris New...arguably grate the most joyously as the passive-aggressive mother and son..."[22] Alfred Hickling in The Guardian also enjoyed New's work, noting that he played Simon Bliss "like [an] overgrown toddler[] in evening wear",[23] while Natalie Anglesey in The Stage praised his performance as "exuberant".[24] In December 2008, New appeared as the college student Ricardo in the Young Vic production of Colin Teevan and Paul Heritage's play Amazonia.[25]

In October 2009, New played Joe Orton in the original London production of the dark comedy Prick Up Your Ears, by Simon Bent.[11][26] The concept for the play came from New's roommate. New contacted actor and comedian Matt Lucas, who was looking to do a play. Bent agreed to script the work, and Sonia Friedman came aboard as producer and Daniel Kramer as director.[2]

On 23 and 24 April 2010 New joined a Young Vic production of the dance-play Pictures From an Exhibition (based on a musical suite by Modest Mussorgsky) at the Sadler's Wells Theatre in Islington, London. Due to the much larger stage at Sadler's Wells, the cast expanded from nine characters to 17. New joined the cast for the two days of performances at Salder's Wells. Reviewer Graham Watts noted that New blended with the original cast seamlessly, and called his performance "a very effective portrayal of Mussorgsky."[27] New followed up playing selfish lover Steven in Peter Nichols' new play Lingua Franca at the Finborough Theatre in London in July 2010. Critic Michael Billington praised New's casting.[28]

In September 2011, New played the title role in Edward II by Christopher Marlowe at the Royal Exchange Theatre.[29] Alfred Hickling had high praise for New's performance as Edward II, a decidedly non-sympathetic role. "Chris New's Edward earns pity, if not respect. His incessant vacillation is perfectly illustrated in the childish manner with which he folds his abdication papers into a crown, as if the realm of England were something that fell out of a cracker."[30] David Chadderton, writing for The British Theatre Guide, found New equally praiseworthy: "The production is held together by a superb pairing of Chris New as Edward and Samuel Collings as Gaveston and later as the sinister murderer Lightborn. There is never any doubt about the sexual nature of their relationship and the bond feels genuine, and, while neither character is particularly attractive, they both have great charisma."[31]

Interestingly, although New has not necessarily sought out gay-themed plays or characters, Ben Walker in Attitude magazine noted in 2011 that it's this work which has attracted the most acclaim.[32]

New co-starred in a revival of Philip Ridley's 1991 play The Pitchfork Disney in February 2012. The play ran at the Arcola Theatre in London.[11] Lyn Gardner, critiquing the play for The Guardian, called New's one of several excellent performances in the play.[33]

After an absence from the stage for nearly a year, New appeared in the Chris Dunkley play Smallholding at the Nuffield Theatre at the University of Southampton's Highfield Campus. David Penrose, writing for the Portsmouth News, said that New and co-star Matti Houghton provided performances of "energy and great emotional weight. Both are charismatic, highly physical performers, being funny and manic."[34] The HighTide Festival Theatre production then moved to the Soho Theatre in the City of Westminster, London, in January 2014.[35]

In the summer of 2013, New directed the play The Precariat at the Finborough Theatre.[36] New subsequently wrote the short play A New Play for the General Election in 2015. It debuted under his direction at the Finborough Theatre in April 2015 to mixed reviews.[37]

New played the title role of Tom Wingfield in the Nottingham Playhouse production of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie in March 2016, for which he won raves from the Nottingham Post.[38]

In 2017 New and Mark Edel-Hunt played Daniel Quinn in City of Glass, adapted by Duncan Macmillan from the first novel of Paul Auster’s New York Trilogy, and the graphic novel by Paul Karasik and David Mazzucchelli. The play had its premier in March at HOME in Manchester and continued at the Lyric Theatre in London in April.[39] A cast of four adults and a child played sixteen parts and a narrator. "The ensemble […] are excellent", writes The Arts Desk.[40] The 59 Productions, Lyric Theatre, HOME and Karl Sydow production was nominated for the UK Theatre Awards 2017 design award.[41]

In March 2017 New performed a reading of Tibor Fischer’s Portrait of the Artist as a Foaming Deathmonger.[42]

New played the part of pilot Lars Koch in Ferdinand von Schirach’s courtroom drama Terror at the Brisbane Festival in September 2017. The Lyric Theatre production previously had its UK premier in June 2017, with a different cast.[43] “Chris New as Lars Koch, the pilot, is stunningly adamant and fragile”, writes Meredith McLean in the AU review.[44] "Chris New plays the dignified Koch with convincing restraint", says Jo Litson in Limelight magazine.[45]

New returned to the Royal Shakespeare Company for the 2018 summer season. He played the Cardinal in a modern dress production of John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi, directed by Maria Aberg, at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. The RSC warned its audience stating: "Please note The Duchess of Malfi contains violence, scenes that some people may find distressing, and a lot of blood!"[46] The play opened to positive reviews.[47]

Film work

[edit]

New made his cinema acting debut alongside Tom Cullen in the romantic-drama film Weekend in 2011, a film directed by Andrew Haigh.[48] Karen Durbin, writing for The New York Times, called New one of the "faces to watch" for his outstanding performance.[49] His performance won him a nomination as Best Newcomer at the 2011 BFI London Film Festival Awards.[11]

New was scheduled to voice the character of Gregor Samsa in the 2011 film Metamorphosis, based on the short story "The Metamorphosis", by Franz Kafka.[50] For reasons which are unclear, the character was voiced by a different actor. (The film was finally released in 2012.)

New auditioned for the role of Jesus Christ for an American network in 2012, but did not get the part. New suspects he was turned down because of his sexuality, but cautioned, "There could be a million reasons why you might not get a job and gay people have to be careful about blaming [homophobia], because they're reinforcing their own closet door."[51] In 2012, New and playwright Freddie Machin adapted Machin's play Chicken for the cinema. Television director Joe Stephenson and his production company, B Good Picture Company, picked up the script for filming in September 2012. New was cast alongside actor Scott Chambers and actress Yasmin Paige in the drama, which focuses on two brothers squatting on a piece of land who come into conflict with the new landowner.[52] Scheduling conflicts forced New to drop out of the project as an actor. The film was released in 2015, and played several festivals before finding an international distributor.[53]

New made his cinema directorial debut in April 2013 with the short film Ticking, which premiered at the Nashville Film Festival.[9]

New returned to cinema in 2014, directing the micro-budget film A Smallholding. New had previously starred in the stage play of the same name by playwright Chris Dunkley. The film was produced by Man in Rum, and the budget was raised entirely on Kickstarter, a crowd-sourcing funding Web site. Principal photography on the film wrapped in early March 2014.[54] New co-wrote the film with Dunkley, and also acted as its cinematographer, film editor, and sound editor.[55]

Personal life

[edit]

New is openly gay,[6] having come out of the closet "professionally" in 2006.[51] Worried about the impact of being known as a "gay actor" on his career, he discussed the issue with Bent co-star Alan Cumming (who has been open about his bisexuality for decades). After weighing the risks, New decided to come out as gay.[6][51]

New says, however, that as an individual he has never been in the closet. He told Attitude magazine: "To understand the psychology of not necessarily wanting your sexuality to be a major part of you but having it made a major part of you by the people around you. All people talk about with me is, 'Are you out?' And yeah, I am, I always have been and I don't see a problem with that. I've never hidden it. My first agent tried to make me hide it so I fired her."[32]

New entered into a civil partnership with graphic designer David "Dav" Watson in 2011. This relationship ended in 2016.[6]

New is a friend of actor Ian McKellen, and often helps McKellen learn scripts and run lines.[3]

Filmography

[edit]
  • Weekend (2011; acting)
  • Ticking (2013; producer, writer, director, editor)
  • A Smallholding (2014; co-writer, director, cinematographer, editor, sound editor)
  • Chicken (2015; co-writer)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chris New

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Chris New (born 17 August 1981) is an English and filmmaker recognized primarily for his starring as Glen in the 2011 romantic drama film Weekend, directed by . New, raised in , , trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating with a BA in in 2006, after which he established a presence in at venues including the National Theatre and Sadler's Wells. His breakthrough came with Weekend, portraying a candid in a fleeting , a performance that garnered praise for its authenticity amid the film's critical acclaim for depicting unfiltered intimacy. Beyond acting in supporting screen roles, New transitioned into screenwriting and directing, debuting with the 2013 short Ticking and co-writing projects like (2014) and (2014). In public statements, New has attributed professional limitations to his openness about his sexuality, noting restricted access to certain roles typically cast with performers. He has also disclosed enduring grooming and as a , confronting the trauma through only after 25 years, an experience that reshaped his perspective on vulnerability. These revelations underscore a marked by introspective roles and personal candor, though his output remains modest compared to contemporaries.

Early Life and Education

Upbringing in Swindon

Chris New was born on 17 August 1981 in , , . He was raised in the town by his single mother alongside his sister. , an industrial hub known for its railway heritage and manufacturing base, provided a working-class environment that New has characterized as embodying a "very normal life," distinct from the cultural pursuits he later encountered in . This upbringing contrasted with the artistic circles he would enter, influencing his appreciation for communities outside conventional consumer lifestyles. New's childhood included significant trauma from grooming and , which he publicly addressed in after suppressing it for approximately 25 years. He described the experience as a "huge trauma," stating, "I was staggering through life, not really knowing what was going on," an ordeal that impacted his early emotional development before he sought in adulthood.

Formal Training at RADA

Chris New enrolled in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art's three-year BA (Hons) Acting program, completing his training with graduation in 2006. During this period, he adopted an intensive approach to his studies, deliberately isolating himself from external distractions to prioritize skill development, while taking on limited paid work solely to support himself financially. This focused regimen at RADA, a conservatoire known for its rigorous classical and contemporary training methods, prepared him for immediate entry into professional upon completion.

Professional Career

Theatre Performances

New's professional stage debut came in the 2006 West End revival of Bent at Trafalgar Studios, where he portrayed Horst, the gay lover of Alan Cumming's Max, earning nominations for the Evening Standard Award for Outstanding Newcomer and the WhatsOnStage Theatregoers' Choice Award for London Newcomer of the Year. Following this, he performed at the National Theatre in The Reporter, directed by . New joined the Royal Shakespeare Company for productions including Twelfth Night, in which he played Viola, and The Comedy of Errors. Additional early credits encompassed Amazonia at the Young Vic and Hay Fever. In 2009, he starred as playwright Joe Orton in the West End transfer of Prick Up Your Ears at the Theatre Royal, Bath, and subsequently at the Noel Coward Theatre. His New York debut followed in 2010, leading the cast in Peter Nichols' Lingua Franca at 59E59 Theaters, after its London run at the Finborough Theatre. Later stage work included Romeo in Romeo and Juliet at The London Theatre in 2013 and a role in the musical Grim at Charing Cross Theatre in 2014. In 2017, New played Quinn in the world premiere of City of Glass, the first stage adaptation of Paul Auster's novel, at the Lyric Hammersmith and HOME Manchester.

Film and Television Roles

New's transition to screen acting began with guest roles in British television series. In 2008, he appeared as Toni Kapinski and Ari Marowski across two episodes of the forensic crime drama , season 12, titled "Judgement." That year, he also featured in the BBC Four biographical television film , portraying a supporting character in the dramatization of the comedian's life. In 2009, New guest-starred as PJ Cosgrove in the episode "Enemy Mine" of the BBC daytime soap opera . His breakthrough in film came with the leading role of , an outspoken artist, in Andrew Haigh's 2011 independent drama Weekend. Co-starring as the reserved lifeguard Russell, the film chronicles their candid, sexually charged weekend encounter in , exploring themes of intimacy and vulnerability in queer relationships; it premiered at the Nashville Film Festival on April 8, 2011. New's performance as the extroverted , marked by improvised dialogue and raw emotional depth, contributed to the film's critical success and its status as a landmark in LGBTQ+ cinema. New resumed television work in 2016 with recurring roles in two BBC series. He portrayed Detective Inspector William in episodes 4 and 5 of series 2, assisting in the investigation surrounding protagonist Georgie Lane's deployment experiences. In the same year, he played forensic expert David Leese across three episodes of the crime procedural New Blood, collaborating with protagonists Jim Poirot and Leila Hassan on cases involving corporate fraud and murder. These appearances represent New's primary television credits, with no major film roles documented beyond Weekend.

Screenwriting and Directing Efforts

New's screenwriting and directorial debut came with the Ticking (2012), which he wrote and directed, featuring actors Scott Chambers, Dani Cey, and . The film premiered at the Nashville Film Festival in April 2013. In collaboration with Freddie Machin, New co-wrote the screenplay for the independent drama Chicken (2015), an adaptation of Machin's stage play of the same name, directed by Joe Stephenson and starring Scott Chambers in the lead role. New co-wrote and directed the micro-budget independent feature A Smallholding (2014), adapted from a play by Chris Dunkley, with wrapping in March 2014. The film starred , David Hayler, and Matti Houghton, exploring themes of rural isolation through the story of two childhood sweethearts reuniting in their hometown.

Notable Works and Breakthroughs

Key Theatre Productions

New's early professional stage appearance came in the summer of 2006, shortly after graduating from , when he played the role of Mosby in a production at a regional venue, marking his entry into professional . He subsequently built his reputation with engagements at major institutions, including the National Theatre under director , the , the , and the Royal Exchange Theatre. A significant breakthrough occurred in 2009 with the West End premiere of at the Comedy Theatre, where New portrayed playwright opposite as , in Simon Bent's adaptation directed by Daniel Kramer; the production ran from September 17, 2009, to January 2010 and earned New nominations for Evening Standard Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer and WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. In 2011, New took the title role of King Edward II in Christopher Marlowe's Edward II at the Royal Exchange Theatre in , directed by Toby Frow, with performances from September 7 to October 8; critics praised his depiction of the monarch's emotional descent from confident ruler to tormented figure, noting the production's intense staging and New's physical commitment, including remaining onstage as a chained prisoner for much of the runtime. Later notable work included the role of Cosmo Disney in by at the Arcola Theatre in in December 2011, alongside . In 2013, he appeared as Romeo in a production of at The London Theatre. New's most recent major stage credit was in 2017 as Quinn in the world premiere of City of Glass, the first stage adaptation of Paul Auster's novel, directed by 59 Productions at the Lyric from April 20 to May 13; the fragmented narrative suited New's experience in introspective roles, contributing to the production's transfer considerations.

The Role in Weekend (2011)

In the 2011 British romantic drama film Weekend, directed by , Chris New portrayed , an outspoken aspiring artist who forms an intense, fleeting connection with the reserved Russell (played by ) after meeting at a in . The character of serves as the more extroverted and confrontational counterpart to Russell, engaging in candid discussions about personal insecurities, past relationships, and the challenges of gay identity, including Glen's views on marriage equality and as reflective of broader community realities rather than universal stereotypes. New drew on personal experiences and research into gay relationships to inform his interpretation, emphasizing 's emotional complexity—blending vulnerability with assertiveness—to achieve a naturalistic depth. New's preparation involved immersing himself in authentic dynamics of male intimacy, which contributed to the film's intimate, dialogue-driven style captured with a small crew and minimal takes to foster spontaneity. During filming of the sex scenes, New described the process as initially embarrassing but handled professionally through quick execution and an agreement with co-star Cullen to avoid post-shoot discussion, prioritizing emotional realism over sensationalism. Haigh commended New's nuanced delivery, noting his ability to convey subtle emotional shifts that made audiences "feel every moment" of Glen's arc, from initial bravado to poignant revelations about his upcoming move to . Critics praised New's performance for its conviction and precise calibration of Glen's "relaxed arrogance" and prideful openness, which heightened the film's grounded exploration of transient romance without resorting to melodrama. Reviewers highlighted the chemistry between New and Cullen as key to the film's success, with New's portrayal lending authenticity to the characters' evolving bond amid raw, unfiltered conversations. The role marked a breakthrough for New, earning acclaim for avoiding clichés in depicting gay male interactions and contributing to Weekend's recognition at festivals like Outfest and Edinburgh International Film Festival, though New later reflected that his openly gay identity may have limited subsequent mainstream opportunities despite the performance's quality.

Later Film Projects

New transitioned from acting to writing and directing following his performance in Weekend (2011). In 2012, he made his screenwriting and directorial debut with the Ticking, which premiered at the Nashville Film Festival in April 2013. The film explores themes of time and urgency through a narrative centered on interpersonal tensions. In 2015, New co-wrote the screenplay for the independent drama Chicken, directed by Joe Stephenson and adapted from Freddie Machin's play of the same name. The film follows two brothers living in a caravan on precarious , with loyalty and displacement amid encroaching development; it screened at the and received positive notices for its raw portrayal of rural precarity. New directed and co-wrote his first feature-length project, A Smallholding, released in 2016. The 77-minute British drama depicts two childhood sweethearts revisiting the rural settings of their youth, confronting unresolved emotional hauntings. wrapped prior to its completion, marking a shift toward auteur-driven work. New appeared in supporting roles in subsequent shorts, including Wine Dark Sea (2016), where he portrayed a character in a story about a man cured of navigating psychiatric evaluation. In 2018, he played the Fisherman in Alex's Dream, a comedic short directed by Jack Cooper Stimpson, featuring as a socially anxious recounting a vivid dream at a party. The film, which premiered that year, meditates on , oneiric experiences, and cinematic representation. These projects reflect a pattern of selective, low-budget endeavors amid a quieter profile post-Weekend.

Personal Life and Public Persona

Family Background and Relationships

Chris New was born on 17 August 1981 in , , . Limited details are available about his early family life, as New has not publicly discussed his parents or siblings in depth. In a 2022 interview with , he disclosed experiencing grooming and as a , an trauma he suppressed for approximately 25 years before seeking in adulthood, which he credited with transforming his emotional well-being. New identifies as gay and came out professionally around 2006 during his early theatre work, including a role in Bent, though his agent at the time advised discretion to avoid career limitations. He has since reflected that openness about his sexuality has restricted professional opportunities, stating in 2019 that it "has done nothing but restrict my career." No public records or statements detail specific romantic partners or long-term relationships, reflecting New's preference for privacy in personal matters.

Openly Gay Identity and Career Implications

New publicly identified as gay in a professional capacity in 2006, following his graduation from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. At the time, despite appearing in a stage production involving themes, his agent counseled him against openly discussing his sexuality, citing potential harm to his employability in the industry. New has repeatedly voiced reservations about the career consequences of this openness, arguing that it has pigeonholed him as a "" rather than a versatile performer. In a interview, he asserted, "Being out has done nothing but restrict my career," explaining that opportunities increasingly confine him to roles where his engagement with culture revolves around identity, sidelining broader heterosexual or non-sexuality-defined parts. He emphasized a desire to portray characters not wholly defined by sexuality, rejecting the label's reductive implications on his artistic range. This perceived typecasting aligns with New's post-2006 trajectory, where prominent roles like the outspoken artist Glen in the 2011 film Weekend garnered critical praise but reinforced associations with queer-centric narratives, potentially limiting auditions for mainstream or straight romantic leads. While New acknowledged in earlier reflections being "relaxed" about gay parts, he has highlighted systemic industry fears—shared among —that visibility as out hinders access to diverse, high-profile opportunities. No major counterexamples of expanded versatility post-outing have been cited by New, underscoring his view of openness as a net professional constraint rather than an enabler.

Reception, Achievements, and Criticisms

Awards, Nominations, and Acclaim

New's professional theatre debut in the 2006 West End revival of Bent, opposite , earned him nominations for the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer and the WhatsOnStage Award for Newcomer of the Year. His breakthrough film role as Glen in Weekend (2011) garnered further recognition, including a shared nomination with co-star for Best British Newcomer at the 2011 . For the same performance, New received nominations from the International Cinephile Society in 2012 and the Chlotrudis Awards in 2012. While New has not secured major competitive wins, these nominations highlight critical acclaim for his naturalistic portrayals of complex characters, particularly in Weekend, where his chemistry with Cullen and authentic depiction of intimate relationships were praised by outlets like GALECA's , which honored the film itself with two wins for LGBT-Themed Film of the Year. Subsequent theatre and film work, such as City of Glass (2017), has sustained positive reception without additional formal awards.

Controversies Surrounding Representations

New has publicly critiqued the representational constraints imposed on openly gay actors in mainstream cinema and , arguing that comes at the cost of professional versatility. In a January 2019 interview, he stated that being out has "done nothing but restrict" his career, as opportunities increasingly limit him to projects where his gay identity is central, effectively him within LGBTQ+-themed narratives. This perspective underscores a tension in queer representation: while films like Weekend (2011) earned acclaim for eschewing stereotypes in favor of raw, hookup-to-intimacy dynamics between gay men, New's comments highlight how such authentic portrayals may inadvertently reinforce industry silos, confining gay performers to "gay stories" rather than broader roles. Critics and scholars have noted that Weekend's unfiltered depiction of casual sex, drug use, and emotional vulnerability—embodied by New's character —challenges polished assimilationist tropes in queer media, yet it has sparked minimal backlash, with debates centering more on its stylistic realism than ethical representational flaws. New's theatre work, including directing and starring in queer-focused productions, has similarly avoided scandals, though his emphasis on explicit, non-sensationalized gay experiences aligns with broader queer cinema discussions on balancing eroticism and sincerity without descending into exploitative tropes. No major public controversies have arisen from accusations of or harm in his output, distinguishing it from more polarized LGBTQ+ films; instead, New's self-reflexive career frustrations represent an internal of systemic practices over content-specific disputes.

Broader Cultural Impact

New's performance as Glen in Weekend (2011) advanced depictions of homosexual male relationships by foregrounding unadorned and post-coital introspection, diverging from prior cinematic emphases on camp aesthetics or trauma-driven plots. The film, which grossed over $1 million on a budget under $100,000, prompted scholarly analysis of a "new gay sincerity" in media, prioritizing relational authenticity over performative excess. This approach influenced directors like in later projects, such as 45 Years (2015), by modeling intimate, class-conscious narratives applicable beyond niche audiences. Through Weekend's reception, New's character became a reference point for examining geographic and socioeconomic barriers to gay coupling in provincial Britain, with reviewers noting its role in elevating mundane experiences to universal scrutiny. The film's archival inclusion in collections like Criterion underscored its endurance, fostering retrospectives on 21st-century as marked by fleeting connections amid cultural fragmentation. However, New's subsequent trajectory, including limited mainstream roles post-2011, illustrates persistent challenges for openly homosexual actors, as he attributed professional restrictions to his public identity. In 2023, New's account of enduring childhood grooming and assault for 25 years, shared via SurvivorsUK, amplified visibility for male victims within homosexual circles, where underreporting persists due to stigma. This disclosure aligned with broader efforts to address non-disclosure in survivor narratives, though its ripple effects remain anecdotal rather than institutionally transformative.

References

  1. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/586001-chris-new
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1714210/
  3. https://www.rada.ac.uk/profiles/chris-new/
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2773325/
  5. https://www.attitude.co.uk/news/world/weekend-star-chris-new-says-being-out-has-restricted-his-career-297993/
  6. https://www.gaytimes.com/life/weekend-star-chris-new-says-being-openly-gay-restricted-his-career/
  7. https://www.survivorsuk.org/press_media/chris-new-survivorsuk-inews/
  8. https://inews.co.uk/news/chris-new-star-of-hit-film-weekend-reveals-how-he-survived-sexual-abuse-i-was-staggering-through-life-2-1807156
  9. https://www.broadway.com/buzz/rising-london-star-chris-new-joe-orton-ian-mckellen-and-kindness-strangers/
  10. https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2011/11/22/class-act-weekends-chris-new/
  11. https://playbill.com/article/full-cast-announced-for-londons-bent-revival-com-134253
  12. https://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/brief-encounter-with-chris-new_15681.html/
  13. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2007/sep/06/theatre1
  14. https://m.facebook.com/stablestheatre/photos/the-stables-theatre-is-delighted-to-welcome-chris-new-to-perform-his-brand-new-p/657003593093517/
  15. https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Chris-New/
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1300046/
  17. https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_bbc_hd/2009-07-13
  18. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/weekend-film-review-209309/
  19. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/movies/andrew-haighs-weekend-looks-at-a-gay-couple.html
  20. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07xss93
  21. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07yjkr3
  22. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03vfstf
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2485948/
  24. https://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsN/new-chris.php
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2420876/
  26. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chicken
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3579898/
  28. https://www.screendaily.com/news/weekend-star-wraps-directorial-debut/5068350.article
  29. https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/chris-new-on-prick-up-your-ears_16227/
  30. https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Taylor-Lucas-And-New-Star-In-PRICK-UP-YOUR-EARS-At-The-Comedy-Theatre-917-Thru-126-20090723
  31. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2773325/trivia/
  32. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/sep/13/edward-ii-royal-exchange-review
  33. https://theartsdesk.com/theatre/edward-ii-royal-exchange-manchester
  34. https://www.whatsonstage.com/blackpool-theatre/news/ret-present-edward-ii-in-manchester_7604.html
  35. https://playbill.com/article/nathan-stewart-jarrett-chris-new-and-mariah-gale-set-for-the-pitchfork-disney-at-londons-arcola-com-185785
  36. https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Casting-Announced-for-the-World-Premiere-of-Paul-Austers-CITY-OF-GLASS-20170123
  37. https://www.broadwayworld.com/uk-regional/article/Casting-Announced-For-The-World-Premiere-Of-Paul-AustersCITY-OF-GLASS-20170120
  38. http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Film/Chris_New_Weekend_Update/
  39. http://www.polarimagazine.com/interviews/weekend-andrew-haigh-chris-new/
  40. https://letterboxd.com/gemko/film/weekend-2011/
  41. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1714210/reviews/
  42. https://www.flickfeast.co.uk/reviews/film-reviews/chicken-2014/
  43. https://cine-vue.com/2015/06/edinburgh-2015-chicken-review.html
  44. https://mubi.com/en/us/films/a-smallholding
  45. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2773325/news/
  46. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5621118/
  47. https://www.firstshowing.net/2020/watch-comedic-short-film-alexs-dream-about-anxiety-dreams/
  48. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2773325/bio/
  49. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/apr/06/gay-actors-fear-coming-out
  50. https://www.metroweekly.com/2019/01/weekend-actor-chris-new-being-out-has-done-nothing-but-restrict-my-career/
  51. https://www.whosdatedwho.com/dating/chris-new
  52. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/jan/14/gay-roles-actors-assassination-gianni-versace-bohemian-rhapsody
  53. https://stablestheatre.co.uk/dig/
  54. https://www.broadway.com/buzz/96073/frostnixon-evita-rock-n-roll-top-londons-evening-standard-awards-nominations/
  55. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2773325/awards/
  56. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1714210/awards/
  57. https://icsfilm.org/our-yearly-awards/2012-ics-award-nominees/
  58. https://greginhollywood.com/out-actor-chris-new-overwhelmed-by-the-two-dorian-award-wins-for-the-acclaimed-drama-weekend-62439
  59. https://lyric.co.uk/our-home/lyric-life/casting-announced-for-the-world-premiere-of-paul-austers-city-of-glass/
  60. https://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/619041/1/Moor-NewGaySincerityandAndrewHaighWeekend-12.pdf
  61. https://www.euppublishing.com/doi/pdfplus/10.3366/jbctv.2016.0342
  62. https://www.salon.com/2011/09/21/weekend_2/
  63. https://seventh-row.com/2021/09/30/interview-director-andrew-haigh-reflects-on-weekend-ten-years-later/
  64. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/23/movies/weekend-directed-by-andrew-haigh-review.html
  65. https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/2426-weekend-the-space-between-two-people
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