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How I Met Your Father's Tien Tran talks importance of queer stories in sitcoms

"Everyone is just loving and accepting."

How I Met Your Father has arrived on Disney+ in the UK, following a new cast of characters as they try to navigate life and love in New York City.

While Hilary Duff's Sophie is the main character, with her older self (voiced by Kim Cattrall) providing the narration, we're sure Ellen is going to get a lot of fans.

The character has moved to New York to find love after breaking up with her wife, and she's played by openly lesbian actress and comedian Tien Tran.

how i met your father ellen, played by tien tran, doing a shrug while wearing a checked jacket
Disney+

Related: How I Met Your Father finale sees return of major original character

Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, Tran has talked about the importance of queer characters in shows like sitcoms.

"It's very exciting as a queer person in real life to get to play someone who's queer, who's part of the friend group, who doesn't have to come out or have any sort of storylines that are based on her trauma," Tran said.

"It's so refreshing, so cool, and also just like what life is like. Ellen is such a baby gay, which I find I was too, and it's a very unique and also wonderful story to get to tell.

"That she is in New York City with her friends and going through the same trials and tribulations as the rest of her friend group. Everyone is just loving and accepting of each other full stop.

chris lowell,  hilary duff, francia raisa, tom ainsley, suraj sharma, tien tran, how i met your father
Hulu

Related: Is How I Met Your Father, Hilary Duff's How I Met Your Mother spin-off, worth the watch?

"There's no ever punching down on what's happening between them, which I think should be the norm and isn't, but I love that she is a part of a growing list of queer characters across TV and film that is getting to just live their life."

The series may only be premiering now in the UK, but it already aired in the US and has been commissioned for a second season.

How I Met Your Father is available on Hulu in the US, and Disney+ in the UK with new episodes releasing weekly on Wednesdays.


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