On its surface, Justified might seem to be a show all about typical masculinity. Modeled on a standard Old West outlaw vs. gunslinger formula and based off books by pulp author hero, Elmore Leonard, the FX drama features plenty of swaggering men and puffed up chests. But look a little closer and you’ll see something a bit more complicated—like Boyd Crowder, a sensitive anti-hero who rocks a shawl collar sweater harder than any Williamsburg hipster.

At the center of these blurred lines is fan favorite Deputy Tim Gutterson, played with wry charm by actor Jacob Pitts. A former Army Ranger and a crack shot, Tim, possibly due to reduced screentime or, possibly due to PTSD, keeps his personal life close to his chest. This has caused rampant speculation among his fanbase that the character, who has never confirmed his sexuality one way or another, might be gay. The season four plotline that centered around Tim getting vengeance for the death of his close army “buddy,” Mark, only added fuel to the fire. When speaking with the show's creator Graham Yost about this past season and what we can expect from next year, we asked him about the theories about Tim being gay, and he said the following:

I will be totally honest, it’s something we’ve considered. FX was interested in being pro-social and in having an openly gay character. We thought about it and we discussed it with Jacob and he wasn’t opposed but it just ultimately didn’t feel like it was of consequence on our show. Elmore’s writings were not that socially directed. Our problem with trying to make that work is that it was something we were seeking out and we don’t do earnest well. It smacks a little bit of self-importance. Though, as Biden said, a big reason why there’s gay marriage now is because of Will & Grace. But that’s what that show is about. So it never came about for us. But it’s amazing that people have picked up on that.

When asked if this was something of a "don’t ask, don’t tell" situation, Yost said, “And I mean that’s part of the reality of law enforcement culture. It’s about as slow to open up to that as the NBA or NFL. There’s still a very strict definition of gender identity.”