Tuc Watkins is trading soap opera drama for a rather different kind of fantasy, and Prime Video has just given us another reason to pay attention.
The openly gay actor is joining Escort, the upcoming eight-episode romantic comedy from Prime Video, and his character sounds like the sort of man who could make a gym membership suddenly feel much more appealing.
Watkins will play Neil, described as a cowboy (sort of), gym trainer, and male escort. Because apparently, one job title simply wasn’t enough.
According to Deadline, the series follows a divorced Manhattan dad who unexpectedly enters the world of male escorting, setting up a comedy about sex, secrets, relationships, and the rather complicated question of whether genuine intimacy can actually be purchased.
Already, we’re intrigued.
READ: Parenting in the Public Eye: Watkins Gets Real About Surrogacy and Raising Twins
Another Side to Tuc
Watkins has spent decades proving that he can handle everything from daytime drama to comedy and more dramatic fare, so Escort feels like another fun addition to his increasingly eclectic résumé.
The actor is perhaps best known to television audiences for playing David Vickers on One Life to Live and Bob Hunter on Desperate Housewives. More recently, he appeared in Hulu’s Paradise, Zombois, and Death on the Brandywine.
Now, he’s getting to explore a character who appears to combine several things television audiences already know how to appreciate: confidence, physicality, and a little bit of mystery.
And, yes, the cowboy element is definitely doing some heavy lifting here.
Brett Goldstein Is Calling the Shots
Watkins won’t be navigating this particular romantic comedy alone.
He is joining Brett Goldstein, who recently appeared opposite Jennifer Lopez in Office Romance. Goldstein is also taking on multiple responsibilities behind the scenes as co-executive producer, co-writer, and co-showrunner of the half-hour series.
That combination makes Escort particularly interesting because the premise offers plenty of room to play with the expectations surrounding sex, masculinity, romance, and modern relationships.
The divorced-dad setup also promises plenty of potential awkwardness, particularly when a secret new career starts colliding with everyday life.
Hot Tush, Complicated Feelings
At first glance, Escort sounds like it could simply be another cheeky romantic comedy built around an attractive cast and a provocative premise.
But underneath all that, there appears to be a more interesting question: What happens when someone who is searching for connection discovers that intimacy is considerably harder to put a price on?
Naturally, we are also extremely interested in Neil’s cowboy-gym-trainer-male-escort situation.
Because sometimes television gives us complicated questions about love, vulnerability, and human connection.
And sometimes it gives us Tuc Watkins looking very good while doing it.
We can make room for both.