Hallmark Goes Queer with Out, Singing Rodeo Star Jake Foy in 'Ride'

The Hallmark Channel has been embracing more LGBTQ+ content this past year, so much so that actress and producer Candace Cameron Bure left the network for the more "family-friendly" Great American Family network, which, Decider said, will not feature any same-sex couples in their holiday films.

In addition to releasing a number of queer-themed holiday movies this past year, the network released a new series called "Ride" that features an unapologetic queer character.

"'Ride' is the first show on the channel that includes an out queer character in the ensemble (that I know of). Tuff McMurray is played by out queer actor Jake Foy and from the look of things, his being a gay man is just one facet of his character," The Geekiary reported.

"Foy has appeared in numerous theatrical, film and television productions
spanning from coast to coast. He appeared in the third season of 'Designated Survivor' on Netflix, he played King James in 'Reign' on The CW, 'Eat, Drink & Be Married' opposite Jocelyn Hudon, and starred in the short film 'Ariel Unraveling,'" according to Digital Journal.

"The interesting thing about Tuff is that even though the show is a drama with cowboy/Western vibes, his character arc doesn't seem to be about trauma related to his queerness being reacted to in such a community. From what was shown in the premiere episode (aired on March 26, 2023), Tuff is a fully out gay man and everyone seems to be okay with it. And not only does Tuff help around the family ranch, but he's also a singer."

Is this progress for the network? "'Ride's' first episode feels a bit steamier than you'd expect, even though it never ventures further than a passionate kiss. I'm just saying, I fully expect Ride to deliver shirtless cowboy thirst traps and maybe – maybe – even a gay romance before Season 1 is over," Decider said.

Deadline also spoke to "Ride's" showrunner Sherri Cooper-Landsman, who addressed the show's inevitable comparison to "Yellowstone."

"For me, it was just this beautiful ranch setting with a family going through stuff that a family goes through," Cooper-Landsman told Deadline. "And to be honest, I hadn't even watched Yellowstone, so I did not even think about that. It just was this beautiful setting and a world that Becky [co-show runner Rebecca Boss] really knew so well."

She also addressed naming the out character Tuff. "What's so great is that Tuff tries to be tough and he feels like his role in this family is to be the bull fighter, but not just in the ring. I think it's a perfect name for him."

And, she added: "He's totally open about his sexuality. He has a complicated role in the family. It's just one aspect of him."

In an interview with the website Digital Journal, Foy said: "What is exciting for me is that this is a character that brings some new representation to western stories. His character is not rooted in victimhood at all. Tuff is bravely himself, courageous and loyal, and those are traits that I value as an individual, and it is nice to bring to life another queer character who puts family, love, and loyalty first."

He acknowledged that all the singing that Tuff does on the show is his actual voice. "If it's Tuff singing, it's Jake's voice, that's a promise," he said.

The singing is second nature to Foy since he attended Canada's Sheridan College's prestigious Music Theatre Performance Program where he appeared in six musicals.