Brian Jordan Alvarez was ready to leave his multi-hyphenate career behind and focus solely on acting when fate had other plans. The creator of viral YouTube content and accomplished performer found himself drawn back into creating television, resulting in FX's groundbreaking new series "English Teacher."
After years of acting, writing, directing, and producing online content, Alvarez had decided to concentrate exclusively on traditional acting roles, including parts in NBC's "Will & Grace" reboot and the film "M3GAN." However, his earlier work, particularly the YouTube series "The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo," caught the attention of veteran producer Paul Simms.
Despite Alvarez's initial reluctance to return to creating television shows, Simms' encouragement proved persuasive. "Paul said, 'I'm going to be your guide, you're coming out of retirement, we're making a TV show,'" Alvarez recalls. "This is what you want in your life, this divine voice to float down from heaven and say, 'You can do it, I believe in you.'"
Drawing from his family background - both his mother and sister are teachers - Alvarez created "English Teacher," set in suburban Austin, Texas. The show explores the complex dynamics between teachers, students, parents, and administrators at the fictional Morrison-Hensley High School, tackling contemporary issues with humor and heart.
The development process with FX, which Alvarez had previously feared, turned out to be surprisingly smooth. FX chairman John Landgraf's insights helped shape the show's perspective on changing social dynamics across generations. Director Jonathan Krisel provided valuable guidance during production, sharing his expertise generously.
The series features a stellar ensemble cast, including Stephanie Koenig as fellow teacher Gwen, Sean Patton as football coach Markie, Carmen Christopher as an enterprising guidance counselor, and Enrico Colantoni as the school's principal. The show also explores Alvarez's character Evan's romantic life through relationships with Malcolm (Jordan Firstman) and Harry (Langston Kerman).
Perhaps most notably, "English Teacher" presents its characters and their relationships with a natural ease that feels revolutionary. "Out of everything we did, I think that was the thing we did least intentionally," Alvarez notes. "It's very free and very comfortable in its own skin, and unafraid to take swings and make crazy jokes."
The result is a series that manages to be both boldly contemporary and timelessly relatable, proving that sometimes the best creative decisions come when we're willing to step back into the spotlight.
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