TV

Dickinson star Ella Hunt declares she’s ‘queer, happy’ and ‘loves women’ after ‘fumbled’ coming out

Ella Hunt and Hailee Steinfeld wearing top hats and period garbs in front of a window

Ella Hunt and Hailee Steinfeld in Dickinson. (Apple TV+)

Actor Ella Hunt clarified that she “loves women” after her coming out as “queer and happy” was questioned by fans.

The 22-year-old, who plays Sue Gilbert on the series about poet Emily Dickinson, opened up about how she defines queerness in an interview with Square Mile.

Hunt spoke about finding herself when she moved from Devon, England, to New York, US, for the role on Dickinson.

“Maybe that combination of being away from England and working on a show about a female poet who wasn’t understood in her time, such an outwardly queer show that glorifies queerdom, made it less scary to enjoy those elements in myself and explore it in a way that I might not have done if I hadn’t got the show,” she explained.

“I love the term queer,” she continued.

“I don’t think it is specifically about sexuality, I see it as a mindset and feeling empowered in the bizarre and the strange sides of myself.

“I think queer is a beautiful word in that sense. It’s an attitude. That’s how I identify to my friends in New York.”

Ella Hunt wearing a black dress with her hands on her hips

Ella Hunt in Dickinson. (Apple TV+)

Some fans were unsure whether Ella Hunt had meant queer in reference to her sexuality.

But when a reader challenged Hunt’s definition, that queerness is an “attitude”, she clarified that she had “fumbled” her words.

“Being queer isn’t an attitude. I can’t just change being this way like I can my attitude when having a bad day,” the fan wrote.

“I actually completely agree with you,” Hunt responded, “and when the interviewer asked me directly if I was queer I got anxious and fumbled my answer (having not openly talked about my identity for long).”

“I still adore and love you completely,” the fan replied, adding: “I’m sorry. Growing up, being a lesbian was something I was always ashamed of due to church.

“I think that we all have to come to terms with ourselves and live our truth. Even if we’re not ready.”

Hunt wrote: “You don’t need to be sorry at all! I’m so sorry you had such a tough time growing up.

“I am queer and I am happy to be open about it. (I just get all kinds of nervous and fumbly in interviews sometimes).”

And just in case you weren’t sure what she meant, Hunt made things clear in a tweet Dickinson herself would no doubt dub poetry.

 

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