How About the Hotties in Upcoming Queer Films?

Frank J. Avella READ TIME: 19 MIN.

'The History of Sound'

Josh O'Connor and Paul Mescal in "The History of Sound"
Source: IMDbPro

Oliver Hermanus gave us the super gay limited series, "Mary and George," starring the wish-he-was-gay Nicholas Galitzine. Now he's directing a WW1-era romance between soldiers Lionel (Mescal) and David (O'Connor) who meet and fall in love during the war and then travel through rural New England to record folksongs for their countrymen.

Paul Mescal
Paul Mescal in "Gladiator 2"
Source: IMDbPro

Paul Mescal

Paul Mescal comes to "The History of Sound" fresh off his steamy sex scenes with Andrew Scott in Andrew Haigh's "All of Us Strangers," in 2023, as well as last year's "Gladiator II," where he got to show off his newly sculpted pecs and abs.

Oscar nominated for Charlotte Wells' "Aftersun" in 2022, he shot to stardom with the 2020 BBC3/Hulu limited series, "Normal People," where clothes were optional. And in Garth Davis' "Foe," in 2023, he romanced Saoirse Ronan and showed off his posterior in numerous scenes.

Josh O'Connor
Josh O'Connor in "Challengers"

Josh O'Connor

Josh O'Connor has played rugged gay in Francis Lee's "Gods Own Country" (2017) and gay-ish in Guadagnino's "Challengers." The scene where he drops his towel so Mike Faist can feast his eyes, has burned into our memory. In both those films as well as "Mothering Sunday (2021)," "Only You" (2019), Bridgend" (2015), "Amorous," (2014) and "The Magnificent Eleven" (2012) he's gone full frontal, butt nude or both.

Couple O'Connor's nudity scorecard with Mescal's as well as Hermanus's graphic track record and chances are pretty good that the intimate scenes in "The History of Sound" will not immediately pan away to an open window.

"The History of Sound" producers are hoping for a 2025 Cannes Film Fest debut. The film will be released later in the year.


by Frank J. Avella

Frank J. Avella is a proud EDGE and Awards Daily contributor. He serves as the GALECA Industry Liaison and is a Member of the New York Film Critics Online. His award-winning short film, FIG JAM, has shown in Festivals worldwide (figjamfilm.com). Frank's screenplays have won numerous awards in 17 countries. Recently produced plays include LURED & VATICAL FALLS, both O'Neill semifinalists. He is currently working on a highly personal project, FROCI, about the queer Italian/Italian-American experience. He is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild. https://filmfreeway.com/FrankAvella https://muckrack.com/fjaklute

Read These Next