Scott Pilgrim's Satya Bhabha knows queer visibility starts on set

This interview is part of Out's March/April fashion spread, in which out actors Joel Kim Booster, Daniel Kyri, Mark Indelicato, and Satya Bhabha talked TV and modeled menswear on the Universal Studios Lot’s Courthouse Square.

Satya Bhabha voiced Matthew Patel on Netflix's Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and originated the role in the 2010 film, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Describe your personal style.
A bit of mix and match, a few bright statement pieces, and then a base of chill casualness, which hopefully is what I’m like as well. I guess I just want myself to represent who I am — and make me look hot.

MARNI Striped Mohair-Blend Cardigan; AMI PARIS Ivory Long Tank Top, Light Beige High-Waist Large Trousers, Brown Cow Skin Square Toe Loafers; EMANUELE BICOCCHI Gold Skull Coin NecklaceANTHONY BARRIOS

Congrats on the GLAAD nom for Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, where you reprised the role of Matthew Patel from the 2010 film. What did that mean to you?
I think that one of the joys of bringing a movie into a series format is that you can really explore all the different characters. And certainly, even though the [Scott Pilgrim vs. the World] movie had the iconic Roxy/Ramona queer storyline, the creators Bryan [Lee O’Malley] and BenDavid Grabinski have just done an amazing job of bringing in so much more back story and…the Wallace and Todd [romance] of it all. It’s just really taken off the queer fans. And so seeing that reflected in the GLAAD nomination was extremely exciting.

How has your character resonated with fans?
Matty Patel seems to have become a bit of a thing with the queer fans, which I’m thrilled about. I’m noticing there’s a lot of people shipping Matt Patel and Gideon Graves, which, you know, Jason Schwartzman hit me up, there’s a collab there that’s waiting to happen.

How does his style influence the way that you see the character?
Matthew Patel’s style is pretty specific: an emo punk pirate sort of vibe, with a lot of flair and a lot of attitude. He definitely thinks of himself as an icon — justifiably as we see in the series, particularly. He really becomes a boss, and I think that you really see that in his fashion. We’ve got a lot of big shoulders, a lot of long coats. He’s definitely a cape queen.

What can you tell us about his journey?
For them to have this flamboyant, brown, weirdo, musical theater kid take over the League of Evil Exes, defeat the title character in the pilot episode, and go on to star in his own musical on Broadway? I mean, dream.

DOLCE & GABBANA Beige Double-Breasted Suit Jacket and Trousers, Stretch Tulle T-Shirt, Black Calfskin Belt with Rolled Ruthenium-Plated Buckle; SUBJECT’S OWN JewelryANTHONY BARRIOS

What does it mean to you to be an out actor on TV today?
As a director and an actor in this industry, I think that not only is there the import of visibility for the fans, for the people who are watching the shows, for the viewers, but it’s also really important within the industry. Because as actors, as directors, as writers, we do hold a powerful and privileged position as the people creating these stories.

It’s important for us to exhibit queerness and diversity and gender inclusivity on set because that really affects what people are thinking in the industry at large, and what is getting programmed, and the type of stories getting told.

Tell us about a TV show that changed your life.
Atlanta talks about a very complicated and difficult subject, which is race in America, and it talks about it with joy with irreverence, with honesty, with horror, with humor. And I feel like managing to talk about those big subjects, but in a way that’s also entertaining and also engaging, is a real skill and a real inspiration.

ANTHONY BARRIOS

This story is part of the Out March/April issue, which hits newsstands on April 2. Support queer media and subscribe— or download the issue through Apple News, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader starting March 18.

photographer: ANTHONY BARRIOS @anthony__giovanni
photographer’s assistant: JORDAN FRAME @_jordanframe
photographer’s assistant: ANDREW BARRIOS @andrewbarrios1
stylist: EDWIN ORTEGA @edwin.j.ortega
stylist assistant: KAREN VELIZ
grooming for Satya and Mark: JOSÉ FIGUEROA @josefigz
grooming for Joel and Daniel: TRACY RAFFELSON @tracyraffelsonmakeup
videographer: ROBERT MARRERO @itsrobertmarrero
location: COURTHOUSE SQUARE, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS BACK LOT @unistudios

All TV shows — HACKS, LOOT, CHICAGO FIRE, and SCOTT PILGRIM TAKES OFF — are produced by Universal Studio Group. Interviews are condensed.