Willow star Erin Kellyman says the series’ LGBTQ+ inclusion has “healed” her inner child

Spoilers ahead for episode five of Willow

The Falcon and the Winter Solider star Erin Kellyman has opened up about playing a queer character on the fantasy teen drama Willow. 

Back in November, the highly anticipated series based on the 1988 film of the same name premiered on Disney+.

The show, which is set 17 years after the defeat of Queen Bavmorda, follows a group of unlikely heroes as they set off on “a dangerous quest to places far beyond their home, where they must face their inner demons and come together to save their world.” 

Since its release, Willow has received praise from critics and viewers for its magical storylines and for building up the film’s extensive lore. 

In addition to the aforementioned praises, fans have also lauded the series for its LGBTQ+ representation – specifically regarding the characters Jade (Kellyman) and Princess Kit Tanthalos (Ruby Cruz). 

After four episodes of the two having a “will they, won’t they” dynamic, the pair finally admitted their feelings for each other in episode five.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kellyman  – who’s openly gay – reflected on Kit and Jade’s romantic journey and why it took so long for the two to confirm their relationship.

“I think for their entire relationship Jade has been holding back because she knows that she is a knight,” she explained. 

“Then having that confirmation from Kit that she will go anywhere with her, that [Kit] needs her and has basicly told her that she loves her – Jade has got all the green lights to be like ‘Okay, I can make my move now.’”

In addition to her analysis of Jade and Kit, the young talent revealed that playing the queer character has helped “heal her inner child.”

“Having not seen these shows when I was younger, now being able to be the representation that I didn’t have is something that is so peaceful,” she told the news outlet. 

“There’s something so peaceful about it, something so reassuring and calming. I know that if I saw this when I was a kid, I would have been completely in love with Kit and Jade, and I would have felt a lot less isolated and scared and weird.” 

Towards the end of her interview, Kellyman opened up about what she hopes people will take away from Kit and Jade’s relationship. 

“I hope people take away that if you communicate, things get a lot easier. Kit and Jade go through a lot of episodes of just not talking, and it’s so tense,” she said.

“As soon as they literally share three sentences with each other, or three words, it all eases. The tension goes, and they can finally just be. I’d probably say that. Talk to people you love.” 

You can watch the first five episodes of Willow on Disney+.

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