The really cool part about it is he looks up to this Sullivan [the stern training officer, played by Max Parker, who is also closeted] as this archetype of what he wishes he could be, and by the end of the show he realizes that they have a lot more in common than he thought they did. In fact, Sullivan might actually be the example of the complete opposite of how he wants to end up. I think the show ends at this really interesting place of Cameron realizing, “That’s actually not what I want to be.”
TV: You just mentioned that, not unlike Cameron, you grew up with a lot of fear and a lack of connection with straight men. How did working on this show change the way you think about male friendships?
MH: For a lot of us, our experience really did mirror the show. We are such a direct replica of the setup. Everyone came from different parts of the country, different parts of the world, very different backgrounds, and we had this phantom boot camp experience of stripping ourselves of our individuality. We all had shaved heads, we’re all wearing the same outfits — it takes away any of your outward self-expression, and you’re left with your core, which is just you as a person. We really did meet each other at that time and spent all day every day together. I think if you have enough time, you’re just inevitably going to find something to connect with people on, and it was definitely a unique experience to do something where it’s all boys.
I had never really been in a setting or a scenario like that, so I definitely went in a little nervous just because I’m used to being around gay guys or girls, and I had never been put in that position. I don’t think Cameron had either. So I had a little anxiety just not knowing how we would all mesh together, and of course, I was incredibly pleasantly surprised right off the bat. These are the sweetest boys, and so many fears I had were completely laughable — I can acknowledge that now, of course. But yeah, we actually ended up forming this very similar brotherhood to the show. Every day someone was inevitably going to be having a hard time or a low day, and we all were there to lift each other up and keep each other going.
TV: The finale ends with the remaining recruits celebrating becoming Marines on the eve of the First Gulf War. Have you and the rest of the creative team had any discussions about what a potential second season could look like? What would you be most looking forward to exploring with this character now that he has survived boot camp?
MH: I think we’re all so trepidatious because the nature of shows continuing [or getting cancelled], it’s this weird world that I think none of us know anything about. I know that we all want it, but everyone’s not really letting themselves go there until they get the go-ahead for that. For me, going back to what I just said, seeing Cameron carve out this new path that he doesn’t actually have an example for would be very interesting. I would love to see some romance for Cameron. That would be fun, especially given the setting.
