By Denny Patterson
Whether it’s a well-timed eyebrow arch or a perfect enunciated phrase, actor Nathan Lee Graham doesn’t just enter a scene – he owns it.
Whether he’s on Broadway belting in The Wild Party or Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, stealing scenes in cult classics like Zoolander, or delivering razor-sharp wit in shows like The Comeback and Theater Camp, Graham has built a career on presence, precision, and panache. Now, in Hulu’s new sitcom Mid-Century Modern, he brings that same charisma to Arthur Broussard, a former Vogue columnist who trades in his New York chic for Palm Springs sunshine.
Created by Will & Grace masterminds Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, the series follows three gay best friends – Arthur, Bunny (Nathan Lane), a bra baron, and Jerry (Matt Bomer), an airheaded flight attendant, who decide to embrace their golden years together after an unexpected death. As a chosen family, they navigate life’s ups and downs with heart, humor, and the occasional reminder that things might just feel a little brighter… if you got your neck done.
For Graham, who has been out and proud throughout his decades-long career, the role feels personal. Additionally, as a Black gay man over 50, he understands the importance of representation – especially when it comes to celebrating aging, identity, and friendship in all their fabulous complexity.
OutClique recently caught up with Graham to talk more about the significance of Mid-Century Modern and the joys of working alongside Lane and Bomer. He also opens up about what specifically drew him to this project, what he hopes audiences take away from the show, and how it speaks to the LGBTQ+ experience, particularly for older generations.
Denny Patterson: Hi, Nathan! Thank you for taking some time to chat with me. How excited are you for Mid-Century Modern to premiere on Hulu?
Nathan Lee Graham: I’m so excited, I don’t want to talk about it anymore! (Laughs). No, I’m very excited. It’s a joy to bring this to people, make them laugh, and make them feel good about themselves.
Denny Patterson: You play Arthur Broussard, one of three best friends navigating their golden years together. What drew you to this character, and how does he reflect or challenge your own life experiences?
Nathan Lee Graham: What drew me to Arthur? Well, he’s fabulous. I’m drawn to anything that’s fabulous. He gets to dress like a million bucks, he gets to say whatever he wants, and he has a lot of sex on the show. So two out of three isn’t bad for me. It’s been a pleasure to play someone that’s free and has no shame, so I was excited to bring that to the world.
Denny Patterson: And this series brings together comedy heavyweights like Nathan Lane and Matt Bomer, along with a powerhouse creative team. What was it like collaborating with everyone on set?
Nathan Lee Graham: I’m a fan of everyone and all their work. Max Mutchnick, David Kohan, James Burrows, Ryan Murphy, Matt Bomer, Nathan Lane, and of course, the great, late Linda Lavin. When you’re a fan of people and then you receive a chance to work with them, you bring your A-game. Then hopefully, magic happens, and it sure has been a magic experience for me to be involved with this show.
Denny Patterson: Palm Springs, aging, and chosen family are central to the show. How do you think Mid-Century Modern speaks to the LGBTQ+ experience, particularly for older generations?
Nathan Lee Graham: Well, it’s a show that talks about coming together, having community, loving yourself without shame, and living a full, out loud life with color, dimension, and joy. All these things are important to see, and it’s important that you see them. When you see that you’re being represented and see yourself, you then feel good about yourself. It’s a reflection. So, I’m excited to be a part of something that makes people feel good about who they truly are.
Denny Patterson: You’ve played iconic roles across film, stage, and television. How does Arthur compare to some of your past characters, and what new sides of yourself did you get to explore in this role?
Nathan Lee Graham: I think the through line between all the characters that I play, hopefully, is that they are authentic. Consistency and authenticity are the most important things for me. Then some of the lessons that I’ve learned from Arthur are, you can be upfront, frank, and direct with people, but you don’t have to hurt them. It’s coming from a loving place. So, what I’m learning from Arthur is that honesty is the best policy, but do it with a little honey. Not the vinegar.
Denny Patterson: Is there anything else you ultimately hope audiences take away from Mid-Century Modern?
Nathan Lee Graham: I just want them to feel good about themselves after watching it. I want them to skip a little beat and say, did you see that? Did you hear that? I want them to make memes out of everything. I want them to fully embrace and fully enjoy the show. Just have a good ol’ time.
Stay up-to-date with Graham by following him on Instagram @NathanLeeGraham.
