7 People We'd Cast in a Hypothetical 'Noah's Arc' Reboot

We want a 'Noah's Arc' reboot!

It's safe to say that Noah's Arc was ahead of its time. Patrick Ian-Polk's series focusing on the lives of four gay Black men living in Los Angeles might've been short-lived, but has a near legendary status among queer folk of color who looked to the 2005 series for representation in an otherwise overwhelmingly white LGBTQ landscape. 

Logo recently uploaded both seasons of Noah's Arc to YouTube for many queer people to relive the drama, while some (like me) get to watch for the first time. Witnessing the drama, love, messiness, and undeniable Black boy joy unfold got me thinking...if Noah's Arc were to get a 2019 reboot, what would it look like? If Queer As Folk and The L Word can do it, our favorite Black gays can do it too!

Here are our cast picks for a modern take on Noah's Arc...

Noah — Ryan Jamaal Swain

Pose star Ryan Jamaal Swain perfectly captures Noah's boy-next-door, hopeless romantic vibe. Swain is full of that doe-eyed innocence that pours out of Noah, and there's no doubt in my mind he'd rock all Noah's iconic fashion moments. 

Ricky — Ncuti Gatwa

Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa ravaged our screens with the coming-of-age story of Eric, but from the looks of his Instagram, Gatwa has the charisma and the looks to play the charming, sex-addicted Ricky. That smile! That body! Who needs monogamy?

Alex — Monét X Change

Alex brings all the camp and the comedy to the Arc and there's no one in our minds who embodies that hilarious, high femme energy more than RuPaul's Drag Race All Star winner Monét X Change. Monét could really flex her acting chops and we're always down to see her slay another stage in drag. 

Chance — Brian Michael Smith

Actor Brian Michael Smith, who recently came out as transgender on Queen Sugar, would be a shoo-in for Chance, the aspiring family man looking to settle down. This could also open the door for a wider look at the Black gay male experience with a trans story we've never seen before. Chance's struggle with assimilation and respectability politics as a transgender man could be even more groundbreaking than original. 

Eddie — Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman

We couldn't think of anyone more perfect for Chance's philandering-yet-thoughtful husband than Jefferey Bowyer-Chapman, who would bring the laughs and the tears to the nuanced character.

Wade — Frank Ocean

As far as we know, Frank Ocean isn't an actor. But can't you just so easily imagine him as Trade, I mean Wade, Noah's rough-around-the-edges first love who's coming to terms with his own sexuality? And just imagine a Frank Ocean-sung theme song!

Junito — Keiynan Lonsdale

Junito and his kind eyes are the only thing that could calm the storm that is Hurricane Ricky. Keiynan Lonsdale perfectly captures Wilson Cruz's soft charm and tender touch. Lonsdale could bring new life into Cruz's groundbreaking HIV storyline on the show with his free-spirit energy and effortless charm. 

Guy — Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett has been shrouded in controversy since he allegedly staged a hate crime earlier this year, so we couldn't think of anyone more perfect to play Guy, the crazed "straight" acquaintance who lies, blackmails, and literally slices his own hand open in an attempt to steal Alex's man, Dre. But even if Smollett might be perfect for the role, it might be for the show's best interest to find another, less controversial actor...

(Issa joke! Too soon?)