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Connor Walsh (character)

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For the American ballet dancer of same name, see Connor Walsh (ballet dancer).
Connor Walsh
How to Get Away with Murder character
Jack Falahee in a promotional still of Walsh.
First appearance"Pilot" (1.01)
Created byPeter Nowalk
Portrayed byJack Falahee
In-universe information
GenderMale
OccupationLaw Student
FamilyGemma Walsh (sister)
StatusAlive

Connor Walsh is a fictional character created in 2014 by Peter Nowalk. He was developed for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) legal drama mystery television series How to Get Away with Murder. Portrayed by Jack Falahee, he is one of the series' main characters. Walsh is a Philadelphia-based law student, who works as an intern for the law firm of Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) as one of the "Keating Five".

Casting

Walsh is portrayed by actor Jack Falahee, who auditioned for the role on How to Get Away with Murder during the television pilot season (January to February) in 2014. Falahee had initially auditioned through video for the assistant to the casting director of Murder, before auditioning for another pilot series, Agatha.[1][2] Although the latter series did not proceed, the casting director of Murder had reviewed his audition tape.[2] By February, Falahee joined the series' creator and executive producer, Peter Nowalk, for screen tests in the role of Walsh;[2] the scene was for the pilot episode, whereby the character is at a bar trying to pick-up Oliver.[3] Nowalk was full of awe in response to Falahee's audition, adamant that, "[f]rom the minute he opened his mouth, he sounded just like Connor should".[4]

On February 12, 2014, it was announced that Falahee had officially secured the role of Walsh in the series.[5]

Development

Characterization

"When I first read [the script], I was mostly interested in Connor because he seemed like someone I knew—a guy from school or one of my brother’s colleagues. [Peter Nowalk] crafted this character that's flawed but likable. You want to hate him but he's so charming at the same time. It's so honest."

— Actor Jack Falahee on Connor Walsh's character.[3]

From the outset of Murder, the character is portrayed as sly, sophisticated, confident, and used to getting what he wants. Walsh is openly gay, and has a "rampant" sex life; Buzzfeed explains, that "with a libido as powerful as his mind, [Walsh] has unapologetically used his sexuality to bend men to his will and manipulated everyone blocking his path to career advancement".[4] When being tested for HIV in "It's All My Fault", the clinic nurse asks him how many sexual partners he had during the past year, to which he estimates between 30 and 40.[6]

In How to Get Away with Murder

In the pilot episode, Walsh is introduced as a law student of Middleton University, a college in Philadelphia. During his first day of law school, Walsh meets Professor Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) in her criminal law class. He meets Oliver at a bar, a computer technician, who he sleeps with in order to obtain the information he needs to gain the admiration of Professor Keating. The intelligence he gains is rewarded with a trophy, and Walsh is selected by Keating to join her team –the Keating Five– despite his questionable methods.[7] In "Let's Get to Scooping", Walsh has sex with Paxton Curtis, someone he suspects is behind insider trading at the brokerage firm of Keating's client, Marren Trudeau (Elizabeth Perkins). His suspicions are correct, and after he reveals this to Keating and Trudeau, Curtis' boss humiliates and fires him. Curtis commits suicide, to which Walsh is left visibly distraught and feeling survivor's guilt.[8]

Walsh has been portrayed by Falahee since the series' inception in 2014.

In "Smile, or Go to Jail", Walsh reveals that he attended boarding school with Michaela Pratt's fiancé Aiden Walker (Elliot Knight); he discloses to Pratt that Walker may be gay, as the two previously shared a relationship while at school.[9] Pratt and Walker later end their relationship in "Best Christmas Ever", predominantly as a result of this revelation.[10]

Walsh has an older sister, Gemma Walsh (Jennifer Christopher), and two nephews.[10]

Relationship

Walsh and computer technician Oliver Hampton (Conrad Ricamora) have had an on-and-off relationship almost from the inception of the series. In the pilot episode, the two meet at a bar, wherein Walsh seduces Hampton into giving him illegal documents to bolster a case of Keating's. At first, Hampton denies him access to the files; however, Walsh flirts with another guy, inducing Hampton into giving him the information he wants. As a way of thanking him, Walsh has sex with Hampton, much to the technician's surprise and delight.[7]

Throughout the first few episodes of the series, the two continue to have a casual sexual relationship while Hampton assists Walsh in obtaining information. By the fourth episode, "Let's Get to Scooping", Walsh has developed feelings for Hampton; while he attempts to reveal this to Hampton, the revelation is cut short when Hampton snoops through Walsh's phone, and learns of Walsh's tryst with a person of interest in a case. Coming to the conclusion that Walsh uses sex as means of furthering his own career, Hampton kicks him out.[8] Months later, Walsh shows up unannounced to Hampton's place, after burning Sam Keating's body, freaking out and telling him that he "screwed up".[8] Hampton is initially bewildered and unsure of what to do, but eventually comforts Walsh and invites him in. The following morning, Walsh lies to Hampton by saying that his behavior was a result of intoxication and that he has a drug problem.[11] Walsh is eager to start fresh with Hampton in "Hello Raskolnikov"; however, this is not reciprocated by Hampton, who still resents Walsh's conduct.[12] By "Best Christmas Ever", Walsh surprises Hampton with a Christmas gift – a beanie – and asks that they resume their relationship. Hampton initially resists, but he then reveals that he is addicted to Walsh.[10]

In the penultimate episode of the first season, "The Night Lila Died", the two agree to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).[13] Although Walsh tests negative to any disease, it is revealed in the season finale, "It's All My Fault", that Hampton tested positive to HIV.[6] In the second season premiere, "It's Time to Move On", to prove that his commitment to Hampton and the relationship they share, Walsh moves into Hampton's apartment.[14]

Reception

The character as well as Falahee's acting have been well received by both fans and critics of the series. After the first season of Murder (2014–15), Connor Walsh was ranked by IndieWire thirteenth in a list of "best LGBT characters on television".[15] IndieWire went further, stating: "He's definitely not an ideal human being, but he's certainly an authentic fascinating one."[16] Vanity Fair columnist, Richard Lawson, was partly drawn to the series because of the character Walsh, commending "Falahee’s ambitious, underhanded Connor Walsh [whom is] allowed to be both good and bad, saint and sinner."[17] When accepting the "Outstanding Drama Series" award at the 26th GLAAD Media Awards on behalf of the Murder cast, actress Viola Davis emphasized the importance of Walsh and his journey.[18] TVOvermind praised Falahee for his portrayal of Walsh, contending that the actor "plays his role to a tee."[19]

References

  1. ^ Dos Santos, Kristin (November 20, 2014). "How to Get Away With Murder's Jack Falahee on the Gay Sex Scenes: "I'm Glad That People Are Talking About It"". E! Online. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c McKee, Jenn (September 25, 2015). "Huron High grad Jack Falahee talks about his role on Shonda Rhimes' 'How to Get Away with Murder'". Mlive. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Dockterman, Eliana (February 26, 2015). "How to Get Away With Murder's Jack Falahee: Why We Should Stop Talking About Connor's Sexuality". Time. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Wieselman, Jarett (November 6, 2014). "Everything You Need To Know About "How To Get Away With Murder" Star Jack Falahee". BuzzFeed. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  5. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 12, 2014). "UPDATE: Jeffrey Nordling & Christina Chang In ABC's 'Sea Of Fire', Trio Cast In 'Murder'". Deadline.com. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  6. ^ a b Writer: D'Elia, Bill. Director: Nowalk, Peter (February 26, 2015). "It's All My Fault". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
  7. ^ a b Writer: Nowalk, Peter. Director: Offer, Michael (September 25, 2014). "Pilot". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
  8. ^ a b c Writer: Katleman, Michael. Director: Innes, Laura (October 16, 2014). "Let's Get to Scooping". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
  9. ^ Writer: Fresco, Rob. Director: Zisk, Randall (October 9, 2014). "Smile, or Go to Jail". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
  10. ^ a b c Writer: Bellomo, Tracy A. & Leonard, Warren Hsu. Director: Katleman, Michael (February 5, 2015). "Best Christmas Ever". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
  11. ^ Writer: Foley, Michael & Swafford, Erika Green. Director: Williams, Stephen (November 20, 2014). "Kill Me, Kill Me, Kill Me". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
  12. ^ Writer: Dalzine, Marcus. Director: Offer, Michael (January 29, 2015). "Hello Raskolnikov". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
  13. ^ Writer: Foley, Michael. Director: Innes, Laura (February 26, 2015). "The Night Lila Died". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
  14. ^ Writer: D'Elia, Bill. Director: Nowalk, Peter (September 24, 2015). "It's Time to Move On". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 2. American Broadcasting Company.
  15. ^ /Bent (April 30, 2015). "The 15 Best LGBT Characters On Television". IndieWire. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  16. ^ Borden, J.D. (March 30, 2015). "The 15 Best LGBT Characters On Television: Connor Walsh On 'How To Get Away With Murder'". IndieWire. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  17. ^ Lawson, Richard (October 16, 2014). "Is How to Get Away With Murder the Most Progressive Show on Television?". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  18. ^ Kelley, Seth (March 22, 2015). "Kerry Washington, 'Glee' Star Alex Newell Bring Down the House at the GLAAD Awards". Variety. Retrieved August 18, 2016. "How to Get Away With Murder" star Viola Davis spoke passionately about the the importance of the show's gay character Connor (Jack Falahee), and his relationship with Oliver (Conrad Ricamora). The power of the show, to her, comes from watching "the true journey of (Connor's) character and finding his compassion, finding love, being who he his, being ballsy, confident, beautiful… What's not to love?" Davis asked. "Listen. I mean, come on. That's bad–ss."
  19. ^ Raiford, Tiffany (February 25, 2016). "Jack Falahee Refuses to Discuss His Sexuality for the Best Possible Reason". TVOvermind. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
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