White Lotus Star Theo James Eyeing Gay Role in George Michael Biopic

The LGBTQ+ corners of the internet rejoiced this weekend after learning that a White Lotus star was being considered for the role of gay pop star George Michael.

James is the top contender for a big-budget film about Michael's rise from his days with Wham! to his solo career, the Daily Mail reports. Michael died in 2016.

Appearing on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen last week, the tall, dark and handsome hunk noted his and Michael's shared Greek heritage when asked by a viewer about the possibility but otherwise remained mum.

"Oh yeah, I would love that," James said. "He's a lot of Greek, and I'm a lot of Greek. Put that Greek together, and you get falafel."

James's full name is Theodore Peter James Kinnaird Taptiklis. Michael's full name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou.

Michael's family has endorsed the $100 million project, according to the paper. James is not yet officially confirmed, but he is rumored to be a favorite.

"The script is in the final stages, and producers are looking for their leading man," a source told the outlet. "Theo's name is the one on everyone's lips. He would be perfect for the part. This is George's story, warts and all."

With his recent role in the resort-based show's second season, the 38-year-old British actor cemented his status as a Hollywood heartthrob. He played Cameron, a promiscuous husband on vacation in Italy with his wife, friend, and his friend's wife, played by Aubrey Plaza. Throughout the season, viewers pointed to the homoerotic undertones between Cameron and his friend Ethan, played by Will Sharpe.

Additionally, James sparked queer Twitter mania with his response to a Cohen signature game question.

James described himself as a "hungry, explosive, and fluid" lover during a pillow-talk segment. He also expressed his first reaction to seeing a prosthetic penis he wore for a White Lotus nude scene as "hunger."

James is married to Irish actress Ruth Kearney, and the couple has a daughter born in 2020.