Years after embodying the iconic role of Mitchell Pritchett in the beloved series ‘Modern Family,’ Jesse Tyler Ferguson is opening up about the immense pressures he felt to portray his character authentically.

The five-time Emmy nominee recently shared that he felt a deep sense of responsibility to represent the LGBTQ community accurately during his time on the groundbreaking ABC sitcom, which aired for 11 memorable seasons from 2009 to 2020. In a candid discussion on his podcast ‘Dinner’s On Me,’ Ferguson admitted, 'I was in the trenches fighting for marriage equality, and I felt so lucky to be part of a pop culture touchstone that was also addressing that same issue.'

However, navigating the expectations of the community brought its challenges. Ferguson revealed, 'I had to tune out the noise of people wanting me to portray it perfectly, while also striving to add depth and nuance to my character. It felt impossible to satisfy everyone.'

Now, reflecting on his evolution as an actor, Ferguson expressed a shift in his focus: 'I’m drawn to characters with complexities and flaws because that’s what keeps audiences engaged and makes them relatable.' This newfound freedom in his performances has allowed him to embrace the intricacies that make each role unique.

Last year, he also noted how the popularity of ‘Modern Family’ provided him a unique buffer from negativity, allowing him to navigate encounters with less-than-accepting viewers more easily, thanks to the love audiences had for his character.