I’d like to see more gay actors playing straight role: Ben Whishaw

Los Angeles, Jan 7 (IANS) Actor Ben Whishaw won the Golden Globe Award for his role in "A Very English Scandal", and dedicated the trophy to a "true queer hero and icon" Norman Scott.

He won in the Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV movie category.

"I had such a wonderful time making this, I want to thank (director) Stephen Frears. I want to thank the BBC for continuing to make idiosyncratic and powerful work and for employing me again and again," Whishaw said while accepting the award.

"I have to thank Hugh Grant above all for such an exquisite performance. It was amazing to watch you do that."

He went on to dedicate the award to the man he portrayed in the series -- Norman Scott, a former stable hand and model who claimed to have had an affair with British politician Jeremy Thorpe.

"There's one person I want to really, really dedicate this award to, and it's the man who I had the privilege to portray in the show, Norman Scott, who took on the establishment with a courage and a defiance that I find completely inspiring. He's a true queer hero and icon and Norman this is for you," he added.

He was in competition with Alan Arkin for "The Kominsky Method", Kieran Culkin for "Succession", Edgar Ramirez for "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story" and Henry Winkler for "Barry".

According to ew.com, Whishaw used his win to advocate for more diverse casting in Hollywood.

"I'd like to see more gay actors playing straight roles. That would be my ideal. That's where we should be aiming," he said backstage.

Actress Patricia Arquette took home the Golden Globe in Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie category for "Escape at Dannemora". She was in contention with Amy Adams ("Sharp Objects"), Connie Britton ("Dirty John"), Laura Dern ("The Tale") and Regina King ("Seven Seconds").

During her acceptance speech, Arquette thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for "championing filmmakers from all over the world and championing our work".

"No matter what language you speak, you need no translation for what we do," she added.

The actress also thanked her fellow nominees, who she is "inspired by all the time".

In the series, Arquette plays former prison employee Tilly Mitchell and undergoes a transformation process for the role, including wearing fake teeth.

"How many fucked-up teeth do you need?" Arquette quipped on stage.

But Arquette apologised backstage for using the F-word. "It was an unplanned F-bomb. I am very sorry. This is a very elegant occasion," the actress said.