Fans of Smash know all about the resident gay characters on the show – Tom (Christian Borle), his beau Sam (Leslie Odom, Jr.) and ensemble player Bobby (Wesley Taylor) – but there’s a new addition in the second season, which kicks off next month on NBC.

Following the Smash panel at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, AfterElton grabbed a few minutes with Andy Mientus (Spring Awakening US Tour), who joins the cast as Kyle Bishop, a gay Brooklyn-ite with big dreams of writing Broadway hits with his longtime straight buddy, Jimmy (Newsies’ Jeremy Jordan).

But is it only work on Kyle’s mind when it comes collaborating with the brooding but very sexy Jimmy? Mientus gives us the details.

AfterElton: In the first few episodes, we see Kyle and Jimmy and it’s mostly about their musical collaboration. What will Kyle’s role be throughout the season?

Andy Mientus: He’s definitely there for a reason and plays, I think, a pretty pivotal role, which I wish I could talk about but I can’t. All the characters who have been introduced this year, none of them are secondary, none of them are fluff. Everyone has an essential place in the wheel.

AE: Am I reading too much into it to think that maybe Kyle has a crush on Jimmy, who we know is straight?

AM: [grins] I think Kyle is very lovelorn, and I think as we watch more and more you will see where his affections might lie. I don’t think you’re wrong in thinking that.

Mientus with castmate Jeremy Jordan

Photo: Getty

AE: How has the whole experience been for you going from theater to this big show on television?

AM: It’s just been incredible. I feel really lucky that this is the show I’m making this jump with. I’m here with Academy Award-winning actresses, but I’m also here with Tony award-winning and nominated actors. A lot of familiar faces from theater, people I’ve idolized and looked up to and enjoyed watching over the years. They’re here with me.

And up-and-comers like Krista [Rodriguez] and Jeremy, we come from the same world completely. Krista I’ve known since the Spring Awakening days so it’s the ideal way to make the transition. I feel very fortunate. [Mientus revealed during the panel that he will, in fact, be singing on the show despite playing a writer.]

AE: And this is your first foray into television, right?

AM: The very first one! I did one short film and here I am! It’s been incredibly educational working on this. There’s a whole new language and lingo. It’s a whole different beast. I was really psyched out ahead of time because people talk a lot about the difference between theater actors and musical theater actors and filmic actors and I was like ‘oh, gosh, there’s something I don’t know that I need to learn.’ Then I get there and everyone is just doing their scene work the way we always do and I realize it’s all the same. It’s just a different lens.

New Smash-ers Rodriguez,Mientus and Jeremy Jordan

AE: Did you watch the show during the first season?

AM: Absolutely! Of course!

AE: Jeremy said during the panel that everyone who is, in reality, on Broadway watches the show religiously. True?

AM: Well, yeah! It’s our story and it’s such an incredible opportunity for all of us. Everyone was rooting for it because it’s theater kids on TV. It’s so great and strange so everyone wanted it to be incredible. Everyone is really rooting for it, so I hope to do everybody proud!

The second season of Smash breaks into song with a 2-hr premiere on February 5th at 9pm on NBC.