Ted Schmidt

Theodore "Ted" Schmidt
Occupation	Accountant (fictional)
Known for	Character in Queer as Folk (American TV series)
Notable work	Queer as Folk

Theodore "Ted" Schmidt is a fictional persona featured in the American drama series Queer as Folk aired on Showtime, with Scott Lowell portraying the character. Interestingly, fellow cast member Peter Paige, who plays Emmett Honeycutt, initially tried out for Ted. Lowell quickly established a strong connection with the role. The American adaptation draws from the British original of the same title, where Ted’s character is loosely modeled after Phil Delaney (Jason Merrells). Unlike Phil, who was written off early in the UK version, creator Daniel Lipman expanded Ted’s role significantly for the US series.

Ted is presented as a gay man navigating his thirties, often pursuing younger partners such as the drug-dependent Blake Wyzecki (Dean Armstrong). His attempts to assist Blake in overcoming addiction ultimately prove unsuccessful. The narrative highlights a significant relationship development between Lowell’s Ted and Paige’s Emmett, evolving from close friends into romantic partners.

Prominent plotlines involve Ted’s struggles with self-esteem, cosmetic surgery, and crystal meth addiction. To ensure an authentic portrayal of addiction, Lowell worked closely with a medical consultant and praised the storyline for illustrating how low self-worth can contribute to substance abuse. Critics generally responded positively to the character, although some remarked on his enduringly troubled nature.

Creation and casting

Due to the sensitive nature of the content, many talent agencies were reluctant to submit actors for auditions. This hesitation opened opportunities for Lowell and other less-established performers. Initially, Ted was characterized as "chubby and balding," but Lowell's physical appearance differed; his opening scene depicts him being overlooked by attractive clubgoers, symbolizing his psychological state.

Lowell pursued only the role of Ted and regarded it as his exclusive target. After reading the pilot script, he felt a strong personal connection to the character. Although Paige first auditioned for Ted, he chose to pursue Emmett following callbacks and discussions with casting directors and creators Daniel Lipman and Ron Cowen. Despite Lowell not fitting the original physical description, the production team selected him and adjusted Ted’s character accordingly.

Lipman revealed that Lowell did not disclose his heterosexuality during the first season to maintain focus on the series.

Characterisation

The American Queer as Folk takes inspiration from its British predecessor of the same name. Ted's character is loosely based on Phil Delaney (Jason Merrells), who dies in the UK version. For the US adaptation, Daniel Lipman chose to keep Ted alive and envisioned him as akin to a "restoration comedy character". While initial story arcs paralleled those in the British show, later seasons diverged significantly. By season two, the focus broadened into an ensemble cast featuring characters like Brian Kinney (Gale Harold), Justin Taylor (Randy Harrison), and Michael Novotny (Hal Sparks).

Ted is portrayed as a 33-year-old gay man who is attracted to younger men who generally do not return his interest. He is characterized by insecurity and described by LogoTV as a reserved accountant who tends to blend into the background. His central flaw revolves around his unreciprocated affection for men in their twenties.

Scott Lowell noted that Ted’s passion for opera reflects his romantic pursuits and aimed to depict intimate scenes authentically despite production constraints. While Lowell identified with Ted’s practical mindset, he did not share his conservative tendencies. He valued Ted’s dry wit and kind nature, drawing from personal experience to bring nuance to his performance. In an interview with PQ Monthly, Lowell explained that Ted resonates because he embodies a universal quest for self-acceptance before being able to love others. The character also represents profound self-loathing, adding depth to his portrayal.

Relationships

One of Ted's significant connections was with Blake Wyzecki (Dean Armstrong), which concluded after the initial season. Armstrong made guest appearances when the series revisited their storyline. Their first meeting occurs at the Babylon nightclub, culminating in Ted being hospitalized due to substance use. Blake's battle with addiction motivates Ted to assist him in achieving sobriety. Viewers praised the on-screen rapport between Armstrong and Lowell, with Armstrong remarking on their immediate off-screen friendship that enriched their performances. Armstrong expressed regret over the unresolved ending of Ted and Blake’s relationship following his departure from the series.

Ted also develops a close, humorous, and romantic bond with Emmett Honeycutt. Lipman described both characters as embodying the show's "restoration comedy" archetypes. Lowell explained that initially, Ted and Emmett functioned as peripheral commentators who reflected broader societal perspectives. Their casting benefited from the actors’ genuine friendship, which encouraged producers to enhance their comedic interactions. This relationship introduced a "slightly goofier tone" to the writing.

The friendship between Ted and Emmett gradually deepened into a romantic partnership. Paige observed that this transition from best friends to lovers was an authentic portrayal of gay relationships. Lowell characterized Ted and Emmett as "the new Odd Couple," symbolizing contrasting yet inseparable facets within the gay community.

Drug addiction

The producers crafted a storyline addressing Ted’s addiction, with Lowell working alongside a medical advisor to ensure authenticity. Lowell highlighted that Ted’s descent into addiction was unexpected, emphasizing that gay men like Ted might be susceptible due to low self-esteem and limited "street smarts." The writers depicted Ted entering rehabilitation for a slow recovery process, which Lowell commended as more realistic than other series that resolve addiction rapidly. Throughout rehab, Ted learns to recognize and steer clear of triggers, including aspects of his social circle, posing challenges for his reintegration.

A notable plot development reveals Blake as Ted’s rehab counsellor—an ironic twist since Ted had previously attempted to help Blake overcome his addiction. Lowell described Ted as possessing an addictive personality, including a compulsion to "fix" others. Armstrong highlighted Blake’s internal conflict between professional responsibilities and personal feelings, as he deeply cared for Ted and sought to aid his recovery.

Following rehabilitation, Ted finds it difficult to rebuild relationships, particularly with Emmett, whose frustration causes him to move out and withdraw support. This strain highlights the complex social dynamics often experienced after overcoming addiction.

Plastic surgery

To prepare for a storyline involving liposuction, actor Scott Lowell adjusted his diet aiming to gain weight but only increased by five pounds. To represent Ted’s pre-surgery physique, the production team provided a fat suit. Additionally, Lowell used a dental appliance intended to modify his cheek shape post-surgery but found these props ineffective and somewhat embarrassing.

Reception

Critics regularly portrayed Ted as a mild-tempered, repressed accountant wrestling with self-loathing and isolation. The Rocky Mountain News described him as "mild-mannered," while the Chicago Tribune emphasized his professional dedication amidst personal difficulties. Linda Haugsted from Multichannel News noted Ted’s yearning for stability despite concerns about aging. Tom Shales of The Washington Post labeled him "honest, decent, intelligent and sexless," though he critiqued Lowell’s performance for lacking nuance. The Daily Herald depicted Ted as shy and socially withdrawn.

Australian reviewers from The Age summarized Ted’s character as intelligent, lonely, financially strained, kind-hearted, and preoccupied with pornography. In 2004, The Sydney Morning Herald commended Lowell’s versatility in portraying Ted’s transformation from a timid geek to someone grappling with addiction. AOL’s Kim Potts described him as "cynical, self-doubting, smart [and] successful," while The Advocate referred to him as "Emmett's emotionally repressed sidekick." Conversely, Slant Magazine criticized certain storylines involving Ted as unrealistic and overdone.

External links

• Profile of the character on the Logo network website
• Character details provided by Smithsonian Networks
• Character information available at the Internet Movie Database