The story arc will mark the channel’s first depiction of a coming-out journey. The character – 13-year-old Cyrus Goodman, played by 15-year-old Joshua Rush – will begin his self-discovery in this Friday’s second season one-hour premiere episode.
“Andi Mack is a story about ‘tweens’ figuring out who they are,” said Disney Channel in a statement. “(Creator) Terri Minsky, the cast and everyone involved in the show takes great care in ensuring that it’s appropriate for all audiences and sends a powerful message about inclusion and respect for humanity.”
The second season premiere depicts one of Andi’s two best friends, 13-year-old Cyrus (Joshua Rush), as he’s beginning to realize that he also has feelings for Andi’s crush, Jonah Beck. In subsequent episodes, Cyrus begins to understand himself and grapples with how to tell his new girlfriend. He finds he can count on supportive friends Buffy and Andi who, as teenagers, are also on a journey to self-discovery. This realization begins an important part of his journey to self-discovery as a gay individual and ultimately, his self-acceptance. The story arc marks a first for Disney Channel, as it will be the first time the channel has depicted a character’s journey to discovering they are gay.
The storyline was met with praise by LGBTQ groups, who were allowed to screen the premiere in advance.