BY: Jasmine Franklin
Published 3 weeks ago
Some TV characters feel like family. For many viewers, Mitchell Pritchett from “Modern Family” was just that — a familiar, witty, and steady presence. But not everyone connected with him the same way. Over the years, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who portrayed Mitchell for 11 seasons, has heard pointed criticism from viewers who felt the character didn’t reflect their idea of a gay man or a gay relationship. Now, Ferguson is opening up, reminding fans that one character doesn’t carry the weight of an entire community.
Speaking Out About Criticism
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In a recent interview, Ferguson opened up about the pressure he felt while playing Mitchell, especially in terms of how viewers expected the role to represent all gay men.
“One of the pressures I’ve always felt, specifically after being on a show like ‘Modern Family,’ where I’m portraying a gay man on a television show on a network that is as popular as it is,” Ferguson said to People magazine, “You receive criticism, as you do with anything you do, but the criticism that I think I heard the loudest was always from the gay community.”
The actor shared that the criticism often focused on the authenticity of his character’s relationship with his husband, Cameron Tucker, played by Eric Stonestreet.
“[That] maybe I didn’t represent their idea of what a gay relationship was, or a gay man was,” he continued.
Ferguson stressed the importance of recognizing that no single performance can reflect the full spectrum of gay identity.
“I’m representing one person,” he said. “I’m in charge of this one character.”
The actor explained that he took that criticism “with such a grain of salt.” Although his character might not have represented an entire community, it represented himself.
How the Role Affected Him
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Portraying Mitchell on “Modern Family” gave Ferguson visibility, but it also came with heavy expectations. As one of the few openly gay actors playing a gay character in a major network comedy at the time, Ferguson often carried the weight of audience assumptions.
When Jesse Tyler Ferguson speaks on “Modern Family” criticism, he doesn’t dismiss the feedback. Instead, he acknowledges it and how this role made him more accepting of who he is.
In August 2024, on an episode of the “Dinner’s On Me” podcast, Ferguson reflected on how empowering it was to play Mitchell.
“There was some weird superpower that I felt like I was being protected by this role that I was also playing,” he stated. “It kind of gave me this coat of armor, and I had this protection of being this character that people also loved,” he continued. “I don’t know. It was really weird.”
The actor also shared that his portrayal came from a deeply personal place. As a gay man himself, he infused Mitchell with parts of his own experience.
“Modern Family” broke barriers by showing a same-sex couple raising a child in a loving, if quirky, environment. Ferguson sees that legacy as meaningful, even if it wasn’t perfect for everyone.
Why One Role Can’t Speak for Everyone
When Jesse Tyler Ferguson speaks on “Modern Family” criticism, it opens the door to a larger conversation about representation, expectations, and progress. As audiences become more vocal about wanting complex portrayals of LGBTQIA+ lives, actors like Ferguson continue to navigate the tension between visibility and authenticity.
Ferguson hopes that future shows will highlight a broader range of queer stories and voices. In the meantime, he remains proud of what “Modern Family” accomplished and of the character he brought to life.
