# Luke Macfarlane
**Luke Macfarlane** (full name Thomas Luke Macfarlane, Jr.) is a Canadian actor and musician, best known as Scotty Wandell on the ABC family drama *Brothers & Sisters* and as a leading man in more than a dozen [Hallmark Channel](https://www.edgepedia.org/hallmark-channel) romantic films.[1](https://latw.org/artist-public-profile/luke-macfarlane) • [2](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=2537) Born in 1980 in [London, Ontario](https://www.edgepedia.org/london-ontario), he trained at the [Juilliard School](https://www.edgepedia.org/juilliard-school), came out publicly as gay in 2008 while starring on network television, and in 2022 led *Bros*, the first gay romantic comedy distributed by a major Hollywood studio.[3](https://www.nndb.com/people/200/000159720/) • [4](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/luke-macfarlane-wouldnt-change-anything-about-himself-or-bros%EF%BF%BC-416151/) • [5](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/luke-macfarlane-profile-bros-awards-insider)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name and birth | Thomas Luke Macfarlane, Jr.; born 1980 in London, Ontario, Canada[3](https://www.nndb.com/people/200/000159720/) |
| Training | Juilliard School, Drama Division, graduated 2003[6](https://storyandrain.com/article/on-the-mark-luke-macfarlane) |
| Signature TV role | Scotty Wandell on *Brothers & Sisters*, 2006 to 2011; promoted from recurring to main cast after two seasons[2](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=2537) • [4](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/luke-macfarlane-wouldnt-change-anything-about-himself-or-bros%EF%BF%BC-416151/) |
| Coming out | Came out publicly in 2008 in an interview with *The Globe and Mail*[4](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/luke-macfarlane-wouldnt-change-anything-about-himself-or-bros%EF%BF%BC-416151/) |
| Film lead | Aaron in *Bros* (2022), opposite Billy Eichner, for Universal Pictures[7](https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-is-where-the-heart-is/cast/luke-macfarlane) |
| Hallmark output | 15 Hallmark movies, plus a multi-picture deal with Crown Media Family Networks[8](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1014-elvis-duran-and-the-morni-26935920/episode/luke-macfarlane-of-platonic-brothers-270924994/) • [5](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/luke-macfarlane-profile-bros-awards-insider) |
| Recent work | Charlie on Apple TV+'s *Platonic* (2023, with Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen); host and executive producer of Hallmark+'s *Home is Where the Heart Is*[9](https://www.advocate.com/people/luke-macfarlane-plantonic-fatherhood-wedding) • [10](https://www.out.com/out-exclusives/luke-macfarlane-home-is-where-the-heart-is-out-cover-story) |
## Training and early career
Macfarlane grew up in London, Ontario, and his first performing outlet was music. He played the cello from a young age and joined an orchestra in high school, where he preferred sitting closest to the audience so people could see him play.[6](https://storyandrain.com/article/on-the-mark-luke-macfarlane) In the eighth grade he had a band called Fellow Nameless that produced one independent album and was briefly signed to Maverick Records.[11](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/luke-macfarlane/bio/3030389076/) He has said that a high school drama teacher told him he could become an actor, and that he chose acting over pursuing a concert-level cello career because the latter would have meant practicing six hours a day.[6](https://storyandrain.com/article/on-the-mark-luke-macfarlane)
He moved to New York in 1999 to attend the Juilliard School's Drama Division, graduating in 2003; his classmates included [Jessica Chastain](https://www.edgepedia.org/jessica-chastain) and [Michael Urie](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-urie).[6](https://storyandrain.com/article/on-the-mark-luke-macfarlane) • [4](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/luke-macfarlane-wouldnt-change-anything-about-himself-or-bros%EF%BF%BC-416151/) At Juilliard he performed in stage productions of *The King Stag*, *Sir Patient Fancy*, *The Blue Window*, *The School of Night*, *King Richard III*, *The Grapes of Wrath*, and *As You Like It*.[2](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=2537)
His first screen work came quickly. He appeared in *Tanner on Tanner*, a four-part Sundance Channel series directed by [Robert Altman](https://www.edgepedia.org/robert-altman), and made his feature film debut in [Bill Condon](https://www.edgepedia.org/bill-condon)'s *Kinsey* (2004), playing Bruce Kinsey.[2](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=2537) • [3](https://www.nndb.com/people/200/000159720/) In 2005 he led *Over There*, Steven Bochco's FX war drama about American soldiers on their first tour in Iraq, playing Private Frank "Dim" Dumphy; the series was canceled while he was doing press in Argentina.[2](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=2537) • [5](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/luke-macfarlane-profile-bros-awards-insider)
## Brothers & Sisters and coming out
The role that defined his early career was Scotty Wandell on ABC's *Brothers & Sisters*, the quippy partner to [Matthew Rhys](https://www.edgepedia.org/matthew-rhys)'s Kevin Walker. Macfarlane appeared from 2006 to 2011 and was promoted from recurring cast member to series regular after two seasons.[2](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=2537) • [4](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/luke-macfarlane-wouldnt-change-anything-about-himself-or-bros%EF%BF%BC-416151/) The second season ended with Scotty and Kevin's wedding in 2008, which Attitude describes as the first gay wedding between series regulars on US television.[4](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/luke-macfarlane-wouldnt-change-anything-about-himself-or-bros%EF%BF%BC-416151/)
Macfarlane came out publicly the same year, in an interview with *The Globe and Mail*. He later told *Vanity Fair* that his father's death and the weight of the moment, in the year California's Proposition 8 passed, moved him to speak: "I've got to say something."[4](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/luke-macfarlane-wouldnt-change-anything-about-himself-or-bros%EF%BF%BC-416151/) • [5](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/luke-macfarlane-profile-bros-awards-insider) [Billy Eichner](https://www.edgepedia.org/billy-eichner), his *Bros* co-star, called the decision rare for its time, noting that Macfarlane did not come out to promote a project.[5](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/luke-macfarlane-profile-bros-awards-insider)
After *Brothers & Sisters* ended in 2011, work slowed. Macfarlane bulked up to change his screen appeal and pursued action and superhero roles without success; he recalls an agent telling him, "Superman can't be gay."[5](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/luke-macfarlane-profile-bros-awards-insider) Through this period he took guest roles on series including *Person of Interest*, *Smash*, *Beauty and the Beast*, *Supergirl*, and *The Night Shift*, where he played Rick Lincoln across four seasons.[2](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=2537) • [1](https://latw.org/artist-public-profile/luke-macfarlane)
## Theatre
Macfarlane's Broadway debut came as Craig Donner/Grady in *The Normal Heart* at the John Golden Theatre; the production received a Drama Desk Award for best ensemble.[1](https://latw.org/artist-public-profile/luke-macfarlane) • [7](https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-is-where-the-heart-is/cast/luke-macfarlane) [Off-Broadway](https://www.edgepedia.org/off-broadway) he played Thomas in *The Busy World is Hushed* and Brodie in *Juvenilia* at Playwrights Horizons, and Stephen in *Where Do We Live?* at the Vineyard Theatre.[1](https://latw.org/artist-public-profile/luke-macfarlane) Regionally he appeared as Jonathan in the world premiere of *Reverberation* at Hartford Stage, in *Sam Bendrix at the Bon Soir* at the Pittsburgh City Theater, and in Arena Stage's remount of *The Normal Heart* in Washington, DC.[1](https://latw.org/artist-public-profile/luke-macfarlane) • [7](https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-is-where-the-heart-is/cast/luke-macfarlane)
## Hallmark films and Bros
Hallmark first cast Macfarlane in 2014's *The Memory Book*, and he returned for another film in 2015 and another in 2016 before the pace accelerated. In total he has appeared in 15 Hallmark movies, including *The Mistletoe Promise*, *A Shoe Addict's Christmas*, *Christmas in My Heart*, *A Valentine's Match*, *Chateau Christmas*, *Moriah's Lighthouse*, *Taking a Shot at Love*, *A Magical Christmas Village*, and *Notes of Autumn*, and he signed a multi-picture deal with Crown Media Family Networks, Hallmark's parent company.[5](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/luke-macfarlane-profile-bros-awards-insider) • [8](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1014-elvis-duran-and-the-morni-26935920/episode/luke-macfarlane-of-platonic-brothers-270924994/) • [7](https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-is-where-the-heart-is/cast/luke-macfarlane) He has described the network as a welcoming workplace and said he was happy that audiences accepted him in a register so different from his drama roles.[12](https://www.tvinsider.com/756716/luke-macfarlane-interview-just-add-romance-hallmark/)
In 2022 he starred as Aaron, an estate lawyer, in [Universal Pictures](https://www.edgepedia.org/universal-pictures)' *Bros*, opposite Billy Eichner. The film was the first gay rom-com distributed by a major studio, and the role marked Macfarlane's first Hollywood movie lead after two decades of working steadily without the stardom he had expected.[5](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/luke-macfarlane-profile-bros-awards-insider) • [13](https://www.ivoox.com/luke-macfarlane-on-representation-body-confidence-and-creating-audios-mp3_rf_97090413_1.html) Director Nicholas Stoller recalled asking himself during the audition why Macfarlane was not already a movie star.[5](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/luke-macfarlane-profile-bros-awards-insider)
## Recent work
Macfarlane plays Charlie, a straight husband to [Rose Byrne](https://www.edgepedia.org/rose-byrne)'s Sylvia, on Apple TV+'s *Platonic*, opposite [Seth Rogen](https://www.edgepedia.org/seth-rogen); he filmed a second season.[9](https://www.advocate.com/people/luke-macfarlane-plantonic-fatherhood-wedding) • [8](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1014-elvis-duran-and-the-morni-26935920/episode/luke-macfarlane-of-platonic-brothers-270924994/) He also appeared in the Netflix feature *Single All the Way* and the Lifetime true-crime film *Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story*, which he executive produced.[7](https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-is-where-the-heart-is/cast/luke-macfarlane) • [14](https://jimhalterman.substack.com/p/luke-macfarlane-on-being-out-on-hallmark)
In 2025 he moved into unscripted television as host and executive producer of Hallmark+'s home renovation series *Home is Where the Heart Is*, alongside designer Olivia Westbrooks, using woodworking skills he developed building with his father, an MD and PhD, and later refining with a furniture teacher in Anaheim between acting jobs.[10](https://www.out.com/out-exclusives/luke-macfarlane-home-is-where-the-heart-is-out-cover-story) • [6](https://storyandrain.com/article/on-the-mark-luke-macfarlane) He has described woodworking as a counterweight to acting, which he calls ephemeral, since a well-made wooden object lasts.[6](https://storyandrain.com/article/on-the-mark-luke-macfarlane)
Macfarlane welcomed a daughter in June 2023 and lives in Los Angeles.[9](https://www.advocate.com/people/luke-macfarlane-plantonic-fatherhood-wedding) • [2](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=2537)
## References
1. [Luke MacFarlane, L.A. Theatre Works artist profile](https://latw.org/artist-public-profile/luke-macfarlane)
2. [Luke Macfarlane, TVSA actor biography](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=2537)
3. [Luke MacFarlane, NNDB](https://www.nndb.com/people/200/000159720/)
4. [Luke Macfarlane 'wouldn't change anything' about himself or Bros, Attitude](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/luke-macfarlane-wouldnt-change-anything-about-himself-or-bros%EF%BF%BC-416151/)
5. [In Bros, Luke Macfarlane Is Finally a Hollywood Leading Man, Vanity Fair](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/luke-macfarlane-profile-bros-awards-insider)
6. [On The Mark: Luke Macfarlane, Story + Rain](https://storyandrain.com/article/on-the-mark-luke-macfarlane)
7. [Luke Macfarlane as Host on Home is Where the Heart Is, Hallmark Channel](https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-is-where-the-heart-is/cast/luke-macfarlane)
8. [Luke Macfarlane of Platonic, Brothers & Sisters, Bros, Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, iHeart](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1014-elvis-duran-and-the-morni-26935920/episode/luke-macfarlane-of-platonic-brothers-270924994/)
9. [Luke Macfarlane on His Ideal Wedding Theme, Fatherhood, and Platonic, Advocate.com](https://www.advocate.com/people/luke-macfarlane-plantonic-fatherhood-wedding)
10. [From wood to fatherhood, Luke Macfarlane carves a new mold as a gay lead, Out.com](https://www.out.com/out-exclusives/luke-macfarlane-home-is-where-the-heart-is-out-cover-story)
11. [Luke Macfarlane Biography, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/luke-macfarlane/bio/3030389076/)
12. [Luke Macfarlane on Hallmark's 'Just Add Romance', TV Insider](https://www.tvinsider.com/756716/luke-macfarlane-interview-just-add-romance-hallmark/)
13. [Luke Macfarlane on representation, body confidence and creating opportunities, Live Life In Sneakers podcast, iVoox](https://www.ivoox.com/luke-macfarlane-on-representation-body-confidence-and-creating-audios-mp3_rf_97090413_1.html)
14. [Luke Macfarlane on Being Out on Hallmark and Navigating Gay and Straight Roles, Jim Halterman, Substack](https://jimhalterman.substack.com/p/luke-macfarlane-on-being-out-on-hallmark)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › Canadian actors › Surnames M to P*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license