Drew Starkey Admits He Was Nervous for 'Every' Scene inQueer —But Says Costar Daniel Craig Was a 'Dream to Work With'

Mar. 15, 2025

Daniel Craig (left) and Drew StarkeyQueerSpotlight Gala Premiere, 62nd New York Film Festival.Photo:Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Luca Guadagnino’sQueermarksDrew Starkey’s biggest film role yet, and the actor was admittedly nervous to work alongside the famed director — not to mentionDaniel Craig.Starkey’s breakout role was as the angry, scheming older brother toMadelyn Clinein Netflix’sOuter Banks, so joining the A24 film as the object of Craig’s desire and obsession was certainly a big change.At theNew York Film Festivalpremiere ofQueeron Oct. 6, Starkey told reporters he was nervous for “every” scene in the film.“All of them, every one,” he said, before clarifying that both he and Craig, 56, felt the same. “I think we were both nervous. We wanted to tell those stories.“Daniel Craig (left) and Drew Starkey in ‘Queer’.Yannis DrakoulidisQueeris an adaptation of William Burroughs' novel of the same name, and sees Craig star as William Lee, an alter-ego of Burroughs', who develops an infatuation with young Eugene Allerton (Starkey) in a post-World War II Mexico City expatriate community.Despite his nerves, Starkey said it was “incredible” to star alongside the James Bond actor, who offered him “a good bit of guidance.““He’s such a dream to work with. Such an amazing artist and he was the most giving actor I’ve ever worked with,” he said. “I mean, I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.“Craig was similarly full of praise for his costar on the red carpet, as he told reporters of Starkey, “I love him to death. He’s the best.“Speaking to the role more generally, the British actor said it was “a challenge in all the right ways” to portray Burroughs' William Lee,“This is just a wonderful opportunity to play a really complex human being,” Craig said. “If I could get roles like this a couple of times in my life, I’ll be very happy.“Drew Starkey.Theo Wargo/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Along with his costar, another source of advice for Starkey was hisOuter Banksfriends, as he said the cast’s enduring bond is “an emotional thing.““We always give each other advice, we’re all kind of stumbling through this world together and we started together,” he said. “I love them. And we’ve grown so much over the course of the past couple years, so it’s very nice… I’m not walking through this alone. I have a lot of people helping me.”

Luca Guadagnino’sQueermarksDrew Starkey’s biggest film role yet, and the actor was admittedly nervous to work alongside the famed director — not to mentionDaniel Craig.

Starkey’s breakout role was as the angry, scheming older brother toMadelyn Clinein Netflix’sOuter Banks, so joining the A24 film as the object of Craig’s desire and obsession was certainly a big change.

At theNew York Film Festivalpremiere ofQueeron Oct. 6, Starkey told reporters he was nervous for “every” scene in the film.

“All of them, every one,” he said, before clarifying that both he and Craig, 56, felt the same. “I think we were both nervous. We wanted to tell those stories.”

Daniel Craig (left) and Drew Starkey in ‘Queer’.Yannis Drakoulidis

Yannis Drakoulidis

Queeris an adaptation of William Burroughs' novel of the same name, and sees Craig star as William Lee, an alter-ego of Burroughs', who develops an infatuation with young Eugene Allerton (Starkey) in a post-World War II Mexico City expatriate community.

Despite his nerves, Starkey said it was “incredible” to star alongside the James Bond actor, who offered him “a good bit of guidance.““He’s such a dream to work with. Such an amazing artist and he was the most giving actor I’ve ever worked with,” he said. “I mean, I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.”

Craig was similarly full of praise for his costar on the red carpet, as he told reporters of Starkey, “I love him to death. He’s the best.”

Speaking to the role more generally, the British actor said it was “a challenge in all the right ways” to portray Burroughs' William Lee,

“This is just a wonderful opportunity to play a really complex human being,” Craig said. “If I could get roles like this a couple of times in my life, I’ll be very happy.”

Drew Starkey.Theo Wargo/Getty

Theo Wargo/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Along with his costar, another source of advice for Starkey was hisOuter Banksfriends, as he said the cast’s enduring bond is “an emotional thing.”

“We always give each other advice, we’re all kind of stumbling through this world together and we started together,” he said. “I love them. And we’ve grown so much over the course of the past couple years, so it’s very nice… I’m not walking through this alone. I have a lot of people helping me.”

source: people.com