What Every Young Queer Actor Needs to Hear, According to an Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Star

Michael Cyril Creighton, the scene-stealer behind Howard on Hulu's Only Murders in the Building, is getting more to do in Season 5. And with the spotlight a little brighter, he just handed out blunt, useful advice for young queer actors trying to make a career in this business.

The advice

'Do not try to be what you think everybody wants you to be.'

That was Creighton, in a chat with Parade tied to Season 5, laying out the simplest version of his playbook. He said the work really started coming once he leaned into the stuff that is uniquely him, not the version of himself he thought casting directors wanted. In his view, when you contort yourself to match some imaginary template, people feel it, and it gets in the way of creating real characters. Straight talk, and honestly, a little behind-the-scenes reality most actors figure out the hard way.

If you only know him from Only Murders, he has range beyond Howard, too — Creighton also appeared in Spotlight — but the principle is the same: the more he brought his actual self to the work, the more the work showed up.

About Howard

Creighton plays Howard, the sweetly offbeat, cat-obsessed Arconia resident who lives for the building's gossip but does not exactly thrive at small talk. Howard is also queer, and across the series we have seen his relationship with his boyfriend, Jonathan, take shape. With Season 5 bumping him closer to the center of things, expect more Howard — and more of the odd, specific flavor Creighton brings to him.

A very him coming-out story

Creighton also shared a personal moment: years ago, he left a piece of paper on his desk with a web address for a resource aimed at helping gay youth. His mom found it, asked the obvious question, and he initially said he was bi before immediately landing on the truth — he was gay. No one was shocked, and he says he loves being gay. It is great, full stop.