Kevin Spirtas co-created and co-writes the Amazon series After Forever, juggling even more hats than the character he plays.

Spirtas is Brian, a 50-something professional whose husband, Jason (Party of Five’s Mitchell Anderson), dies, leaving a huge personal void that’s filled with all sorts of remembrances. Delving into the experiences of an age group that’s not often covered, the series mines Brian’s widowhood for pathos and some comedy, too, letting his imagination fill in the blanks after the tragedy.

The casually insightful result won five Daytime Emmys last year, including Spirtas’ for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series, Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series (shared with his co-creator/writer/producer Michael Slade and co-producer Allison Vanore), and for the show’s writing (shared with Slade). The second season has hit, picking up six months after the end of the first, with Brian dating a guy he was set up with by Jason’s parents and trying to carry on, while still daydreaming about his late lover.

I talked to Spirtas—previously known for playing Dr. Craig Wesley on Days of Our Lives—about how this series has jazzed up his 50s.

Hi, Kevin. What are the origins of this show?

I was working out at a gym in NYC in 2014 and Michael Slade tapped me on the shoulder and said, “I think I used to write for you on Days of Our Lives.” It opened a conversation and we discussed how we wanted to create a story about gay men that we knew. I wanted to do a show about relationships and dating, and he wanted to do a show about loss, and we put the two ideas together and it led to a conversation about gay men over 40. They usually disappear from the canvas of storytelling. I’m over 50, but the crux of stories that were being told were 40 and younger. I said, “I’m really into digital series and we can write what we want to write about.” Michael and I said, “Let’s just write what we know."

How did Michael’s experiences filter into this project?

He had lost his partner to a cancer diagnosis a few years before and he was ready to artistically explore his grieving process. When he talked about this element being added to the story, I loved it because it gave Brian’s character a real reason to be single—not by choice but by circumstance. I can certainly relate to loss from the early ’80s, when half the community was decimated by AIDS, and also the loss of family members, but I didn’t want to lose sight of wanting a loving relationship. So many people have been moved by the show. It’s a universal story of love and loss, and it just happens to be two men. When we agreed to do the show, I had no stories coming to me, no parts being offered, and that was the instigation. I was in kind of an in-between period as an actor.

Well, your character, Brian, is also good at drumming up opportunities, though they can be a bit mystical. He certainly summons Jason back quite a bit.

He’s so used to having Jason around. I think it’s his healing process. When Brian conjures Jason, he’s having a conversation with him as if he’s alive and what his opinions would be, kind of like a coaching. I asked Michael, “Do you still talk to [your late partner]?” He said, “Yeah, all the time.” I said, “I think we can incorporate that.” As you move into Season 2, you see how unhealthy that is for Brian and his new relationship.

It almost becomes a threesome. But I like the realistic element that Brian and Jason’s relationship wasn’t perfect and they got under each other’s skin sometimes.

Season 1 was the establishing of their bond and the love they have for each other. We wanted to tell a love story. It just happens that this love story was cut short due to this cancer diagnosis. Brian has kept Jason’s memory alive like he was a saint, but you’re watching the reality of what the relationship was like. It wasn’t perfect. Brian’s coping mechanism is keeping a perfect image of what it was. There’s no handbook to how to deal with loss. The only thing that lasts is the love. You get through by holding onto that. We all die and have to deal with loss, but we will never stop having that relationship with that person.

Kevin Spirtas winning an Emmy.

You certainly experienced no loss at the Emmys. How did that feel?

The show had started to become the little show that could. Once we’d entered all these festivals and had the festival wins, it was very exciting. We were thrilled that this passing project had become so well received and had started to get the attention of the Academy. As it won five Emmys, I kept pinching myself, like, What is happening? If you had told me 20 years ago that a gay love story I was starring in was made and was received like this, I’d say you were crazy. The times have changed, and I’m grateful for that.

Were you always an openly gay actor?

No, I was not. It was a “don’t ask don’t tell” era. I’d talk about my life—I didn’t overcompensate or out-and-out lie—I just didn’t publicly lead with that. I’ve always led with “I’m a man” first. Part of me is someone’s son, someone’s uncle, someone’s brother. Yes, I am gay, I am an athlete, all these things. By time I had come to telling a story like this, it’s not an issue for me anymore or an issue in the business anymore, and I hope this story helps that. For me, being gay was a dirty word growing up and now this is my truth. I’m proud of who I am and love who I am, and now have a story which will help others love who they are.

Speaking of gay stories, I just found out that you were involved in the Broadway show The Boy From Oz, about singer Peter Allen. You were Hugh Jackman’s standby. Did you get to go on?

No. I’m trying to do another show with Peter Allen’s music—not to be sour grapes about not going on, I just love his music. And I covered several roles and I did go on for some of them. Working with Hugh was fantastic. God love him, he never missed a show. He’s seen the series and is very supportive and has been very vocal about it.

Are you in a relationship?

I am. I met a young man who I’m very glad to say is in my life. I co-created the show about love and relationships and all of a sudden, love shows up in my life. As an artist, I know that the work I’m doing is usually something I’m going through and working through at the time.

Will there be a Season 3?

It’s already written and ready to go. We’re hoping to start production this summer!

After Forever is streaming now on Amazon.

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Here's How Moulin Got a Little Extra Rouge

Moulin Rouge! opening night on Broadway.

While we’re on threes: One of Broadway’s biggest success stories has been the ingenious track record of Alex Timbers, who has directed a trio of gigantic hits in a row on Broadway—Beetlejuice, Moulin Rouge!, and David Byrne’s American Utopia, which just took a break and will return in September. All three shows make well over a million per week, with Moulin Rouge! collecting almost two.

At a party for Timbers at Bea restaurant the other night, I asked the wunderkind if this success rate will make him nervous about his next Broadway show. “That will be anxiety making, I’m sure,” he laughed. “But by the time I do that, I’ll be hungry to make something new.”

In the meantime, he and Sam Wrench have co-directed a Netflix concert starring Tony winner Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen, The Politician), shot at Radio City Music Hall. “He’s dreamy,” smiled Timbers.

I asked him how the queer community has affected his own career and he replied, “I think Moulin Rouge! is something that particularly celebrates all sorts of people.” He’s specifically excited about the drag character of Babydoll, a showgal played by Jeigh Madjus, who took on multiple roles in the Timbers-directed Imelda Marcos musical Here Lies Love. “I’ve watched his relationship with the fans,” said Timbers, “and see how people see themselves in the show.” I saw myself more in the raunchy gay MC, but that shows how Moulin Rouge! really is for everyone!