If you’ve spent any time watching the Hallmark Channel over the last decade, you know Luke Macfarlane. He’s the guy with the jawline that could cut glass and a smile that makes Christmas sweaters look high-fashion. But for a long time, there was this lingering question trailing him like a shadow: Is actor Luke Macfarlane gay?
Honestly, the answer isn't a secret, and it hasn't been for a very long time.
He’s gay. He’s been out since George W. Bush was in office. But the story of how he got from being a "terrified" young actor on a hit TV drama to a father and a woodworking expert is actually pretty wild. It involves a high-stakes interview in a Canadian newspaper, a lot of closed doors in Hollywood, and a partner who just happens to be a professional alpine skier.
The 2008 Revelation That Almost Didn't Happen
Back in 2008, things were different. Being an "out" leading man wasn't a career move; it was a career risk. Macfarlane was starring as Scotty Wandell on ABC’s Brothers & Sisters. His character was about to marry Kevin Walker (played by Matthew Rhys) in one of the first major same-sex weddings on network TV.
He decided he couldn't play a man living his truth on screen while hiding his own in real life.
He sat down with The Globe and Mail, a major Canadian paper, and just said it. He admitted he was gay. He also admitted he was "terrified" of what would happen to his career. At the time, he told the paper, "I don't know what will happen professionally... that is the fear, but I guess I can't really be concerned about what will happen, because it's my truth."
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It was a gutsy move.
The "Dry Spell" and the Hallmark Pivot
For a while, his fears sort of came true. After Brothers & Sisters ended, the big movie roles didn't exactly come knocking. He spent a lot of time in the gym, getting into superhero shape, hoping for a Marvel-style breakout. But as he later told Vanity Fair, he felt like he was being rebuffed because of his sexuality.
Hollywood liked him, but they didn't know what to do with an openly gay "man's man."
Then came Hallmark.
While the "prestige" side of Hollywood was hesitant, the Hallmark Channel embraced him. He became one of their most reliable leading men, starring in over a dozen movies like The Mistletoe Promise and Chateau Christmas. For years, he played the straight romantic lead. He was the guy every mom wanted her daughter to marry. It’s a bit ironic, isn't it? The industry's most "wholesome" network became the safest harbor for an openly gay actor.
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Why Luke Macfarlane Still Matters in 2026
Fast forward to today, and Macfarlane has basically completed a full circle. In 2022, he starred in Bros, the first gay rom-com from a major studio with an all-LGBTQ+ principal cast. He played Aaron, the "masc" gym-bro who was afraid of commitment. It felt like a meta-commentary on his own life—a guy who loves "manly" things like woodworking and sports but is also a proud gay man.
He’s now a dad, too.
In June 2023, he and his partner, Hig Roberts, welcomed their daughter, Tess Eleanor Macfarlane. If you don't know Hig, he’s a former U.S. Ski Team member who came out as gay in 2020. They’re basically a queer power couple of the outdoors.
What He’s Doing Now
- Fatherhood: He’s been very open about how life has changed since Tess arrived, even building a crib for her by hand.
- Woodworking: This isn't just a hobby. He’s a legitimate carpenter. He even has a show on Hallmark+ called Home Is Where the Heart Is where he does actual renovations.
- Faith: Interestingly, he’s a regular at an Episcopal church in Los Angeles, often talking about how his faith and his identity aren't at odds.
The Reality of Being a Gay Leading Man
Is everything perfect? Not exactly. Macfarlane has been vocal about the fact that gay actors still have to work twice as hard to prove they can play "straight" roles. He’s "versatile," as he told Variety in 2025, but the industry still loves to put people in boxes.
He’s also famously private. You won't find him posting "couple goals" photos every five minutes. He once told Page Six, "I give you my performance, and you give me my privacy!" That boundary has kept him sane in an industry that wants to own every part of a person.
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Facts About Luke Macfarlane's Journey
To keep it simple, here is the timeline of what really happened.
He grew up in London, Ontario, and went to Juilliard. He was the only Canadian in his class. Then he got Brothers & Sisters, which changed everything. His coming out in 2008 was a landmark moment, even if it led to a few years of being typecast or overlooked for major blockbusters.
The woodworking thing? That came from his dad and grandfather. His father was a doctor but loved to build things. When his father passed away around the time Luke came out, the hobby became a way to stay connected to him. It’s not a PR stunt; the guy actually knows his way around a dovetail joint.
If you’re looking for his latest work, check out Platonic on Apple TV+ where he plays a straight lawyer. It’s a great example of him finally getting to do what he wanted all along: just be an actor.
To follow his journey authentically, keep an eye on his furniture projects—they often tell more of his story than his red carpet interviews do. You can also look for his advocacy work with LGBTQ+ family rights, which has become a major focus for him since becoming a father.