Film/TV actor and longtime star of the online queer comedy world Brian Jordan Alvarez stands accused of serious misbehavior by a former collaborator ahead of the release of his FX comedy series English Teacher.
Alvarez, who played recurring roles in TV shows such as Jane the Virgin, Will & Grace and Get Shorty, rose to the top of the internet humor A-list in 2016 after creating, writing, directing and starring in the critically acclaimed five-part web series The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallor. On Alvarez’ absurdist queer comedy series, actor Jon Ebeling played Billy, one of the six central characters in Caleb Gallo. On Wednesday, just weeks before FX will debut Alvarez’ biggest project to date as his self-created, self-starred education comedy series English Teacher eyes a two-part premiere on September 2nd, Ebeling has come forward with unsettling allegations against his former director and co-star in an Instagram Story that has spread rapidly throughout the queer comedy community.
In the Story, which has been re-posted by fellow artists such as prominent queer podcaster Dave Holmes and actor/comedian Drew Droege, Ebeling posted an English Teacher promotional picture with a caption claiming that his personal experience working with Alvarez “was much closer to the plot of B*by Reind**r than whatever this is. Gonna skip this one,” referencing the Netflix miniseries Baby Reindeer in which an established TV producer grooms and then sexually assaults the show’s protagonist.
Though Ebeling didn’t explicitly name Alvarez in the post, nor did Ebeling outright accuse his one-time collaborator of any crime, the implication from Ebeling’s Story is clear considering the plot of the series he name-dropped and the tag for the account @sexual.assault.aware.ness. In the days since Ebeling seemingly suggested that Alvarez sexually assaulted him, many members of the queer comedy community have shared Ebeling’s post on their own Stories, which Ebeling has, in turn, promoted on his own Instagram account.
Neither Alvarez nor FX have publicly addressed Ebeling’s accusations against the English Teacher star, nor have Alvarez’ high-profile collaborators on his new series, including prominent podcaster, drag queen and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars winner Trixie Mattel. As of publication, Ebeling hasn’t offered any further details on his allegations against Alvarez.