Out Actor Luke Macfarlane: 'Intimacy' Launches 'Queer Friendships'

Ever had a hookup or a fling blossom into an actual connection – that is to say, a friendship? According to "Bros" star Luke Macfarlane, "intimacy" is a common avenue for gay men to forge those sorts of enduring and substantive relationships.

Australian newspaper the Star Observer reported that Macfarlane offered his thoughts in an interview about his new series, "Platonic," in which he plays a straight man whose wife (Rose Byrne) rekindles a friendship – without benefits – with a man from her past (Seth Rogen), and he's okay with it.

Asked during an interview with Out about platonic relationships in "overstep[ing] the line" in the queer demimonde as opposed to the straight world, Macfarlane replied, "It's a really hard comparison to make. I think because intimacy is how a lot of queer friendships begin, it's the way they are often started."

"The boundary that would be important for me is a friend talking shit about your partner," the openly gay "Brothers and Sisters" star added. "I don't think that's ever helpful and there are so many versions of 'Listen, I'm going to tell you something that people are afraid to say.' I think this is rarely ever helpful because a good friend knows that their friend is struggling and working on something and they will get there, but you don't need to tell them."

Asked to talk about "the strongest platonic friendship" he enjoys in his own life, Macfarlane identified fellow out actor and "Modern Family" star Jesse Tyler Ferguson as the pal who fit that bill.

"A very, very long time ago in my theater days in New York City, I did a play with" Ferguson, Macfarlane recalled, "and we have remained friends to this day."

"He's great and I love watching his career. He's been a great inspiration to me so I would say that one."

As previously reported, Macfarlane turned down the highly anticipated "Barbie" movie, opting for his "Platonic" role instead.

"It was a small, little part," Macfarlane told The Hollywood Reporter, "but I've never been part of some beautiful, big, cool thing like that."

Alas, the scheduling didn't permit it, though. Had it been possible, "It would have been cool to be able to do both," Macfarlane said.

Something else that would be cool – though almost certainly beyond the realm of possibility for most mortals – would be making friends with Luke Macfarlane, especially since he's partnered and a new father. Check out some of his pics from Instagram.