Brian Jordan Alvarez attends the 2024 Disney Upfront at Javits Center on May 14, 2024 in New York City. Source: Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Get to Know Brian Jordan Alvarez, Star and Creator of the Breakout Queer Sitcom 'English Teacher'

Andrea Marks Joseph READ TIME: 10 MIN.

Whether you watched the timeless internet-era classic webseries "The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo," recognize him from his appearances in the "Will & Grace" reboot or the iconic dancing murderbot doll movie "M3GAN," or if he vaguely looks like the highly filtered comedy-character videos your way-too-online friend has been sending you for years, you're about to know Brian Jordan Alvarez.

If the success of his brilliant sitcom "English Teacher," currently airing on FX and streaming on Hulu, catapults him to the household name he's always deserved to be, you're about to see him everywhere. If you're still wondering where you recognize him from, or want to know more about this multi-talented gay comedian – and the many times he's gone viral for his wildly creative comedy – we've got you.


For years, he's been the king of a very specific type of comedy that you can't really explain to anyone who hasn't seen the short videos that have become his personal comedic cinematic universe. With "English Teacher," Brian Jordan Alvarez has created a show with a definite hook. It's a sitcom following the hilarious struggles and inevitable shenanigans of an openly gay teacher, and his very gen Z students, in today's Texas.

Each episode explores timely issues (parents complaining about assigned reading lists, queer students being upset at football players doing drag as a joke, guns being present in schools) from an entirely unique, utterly brilliant, genuinely laugh-out-loud funny angle. Even more than his ultra-catchy fan-favorite skits and songs, this is an Alvarez moment that you'll share with everyone. "English Teacher" is also very casually and unabashedly (not to mention hilariously) gay! This is a sharp queer comedy that's by us, for us, and as a bonus, for everyone else.

"English Teacher" Season 1


The sitcom stars Alvarez as Evan Marquez, a teacher whose job is important to him for all the most honorable, hopeful reasons one becomes a teacher. He finds himself facing an endless list of silly yet somehow simultaneously monumental problems created by his super-online students, intense coworkers, over-involved parents, and his awareness of the political climate. Though Alvarez himself isn't a teacher, he's very familiar with the experience through those closest to him: "It's sort of in my blood, and I've never done it," he told the New York Times, who noted that his mother and sister are both educators. "It's that thing where somebody says, 'I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV.'"


Thirsty for Alvarez


If you haven't tuned into the soon-to-be hit show yet, we'll give you a few more reasons to check it out. Alvarez's character, Evan, is openly gay, casually hooking up with his ex-boyfriend (played by the very hot Jordan Firstman, "Rotting in the Sun"), and always running late for class in the morning, so "English Teacher" viewers see him in various stages of undress throughout the episodes. We know the power of thirst traps, and so does Alvarez. His thirst trap aesthetic is very much sweaty-gym-selfie focused. The handsome, hunky comedian loves posting snaps taken either immediately after getting ready in the morning, hair still wet and curls perfectly placed where they've been slicked back; or a sweaty post-gym selfie. They're equally delicious, and equally effective.










"Caleb Gallo," "Will & Grace, "M3GAN"


If you're wondering where you've seen his face (or those biceps) before, there are many, many options: Alvarez has been doing his comedy thing for over a decade now. He's a prolific creator of queer indie comedy, and a familiar face on many shows you have seen for the simple fact of being gay and online. In 2016, he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in the five-part web comedy series "The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo" which everyone gay online then and since has watched, rewatched, and adored more each time. If you watched the "Will & Grace" reboot, you'll have seen Alvarez's recurring role in all three seasons, playing Estéfan Gloria, Jack's fiancé and later husband.





by Andrea Marks Joseph

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