Stephen Amell's Rise to Fame: From Queer as Folk to Arrow '1'

Canadian heartthrob Stephen Am Mell has come a long way since his early days in television. After landing minor roles in several TV shows, he finally got the break that catapulted him into stardom - playing Oliver Queen aka Green Arrow in The CW's hit series Arrow.

But little do many fans know about how it all started for this hunky actor? Let’s take a trip down memory lane and see how his journey began with one of television's most iconic shows, Queer as Folk.

Stephen Amell: From Obscurity to Stardom

Am Mell first appeared on the small screen in 2004 when he landed roles in two episodes of the popular TV show Queer as Folk. The series was an American adaptation of the British original and follows a group of gay men living together in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Although his role may not have been substantial at that time, it marked the beginning of something big for Am Mell. His performance on this show caught attention from casting directors and soon he started landing more roles on TV shows such as ReGenesis and Nikita.

However, despite these small victories, there were also some tough times in between. In an exclusive interview with AfterElton.com '2', Am Mell candidly spoke about how close he was to giving up acting altogether due to lack of opportunities:

'I remember one day I woke up thinking 'this isn't working out.' But then something happened and suddenly everything changed.'

And that turning point came when he auditioned for the lead role in Arrow, a rebooted version of DC Comics' popular comic book series.

Playing Oliver Queen: The Perfect Role

Am Mell remembers walking onto the set on his first day of shooting as if it was yesterday. He had never played such an iconic character before and there were high expectations riding on him to deliver:

'It's intimidating because you're playing someone that everyone knows, but at the same time it’s liberating because you can put your own spin on it.'

As Oliver Queen aka Green Arrow, Am Mell has proven himself to be a versatile actor who is not afraid to take risks. His portrayal of this brooding vigilante with a heart of gold has won over millions of fans worldwide.

Queer as Folk: The Show That Saved Him

But what many people don't know about Stephen Amell's journey in television is how his experience working on Queer as Folk changed everything for him:

'Working on that show saved my career. It was like a breath of fresh air after years of doing nothing but guest spots and small roles.'

For someone who had been struggling to find their place in the industry, being part of such an iconic series gave Am Mell much-needed confidence boost.

Arrow: The Show That Launched A Thousand Hearts

Fast forward several years later, and Stephen Amell is now one of Hollywood's most sought-after leading men. His performance as Oliver Queen has not only cemented his position as a television heartthrob but also made him an icon among the LGBTQ+ community.

With millions of fans worldwide shipping him with fellow cast member Colton Haynes' character Kurt Hummel, it’s no wonder why Arrow continues to break ratings records every week. And all thanks to Queer as Folk which kick-started this entire journey for Stephen Amell!

'1' http://www.afterelton.com/television/gay-tv-steven-ammell-exclusive-interview-arrow

'2' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Queer_as_Folk_(US_TV_series)_cast_members

Stephen amell queer as folk