Groff happily dropped into 'hurricane' that is Glee

According to Jonathan Groff, fans of TV’s Glee seem “OK” with his character Jesse St. James, a hated Glee club rival and romantic interloper.

“I haven’t been spit on yet,” laughs Groff. “And I got to say — I don’t see Jesse as a bad guy. I think maybe Rachel (Lea Michele) has found a match in Jesse. But that’s just me.”

Of course, it helps that Groff’s on-screen paramour is also his long time best friend. Groff and Michele worked the Broadway stage together years ago in a production of Spring Awakening.

“It was my first big break. And to be working with my best friend now doesn’t seem like work at all.”

It wasn’t a complete coincidence that they would end up on the same TV show. It was Groff who first introduced Michele to Glee creator Ryan Murphy. And when Murphy first mentioned he was working on a new show called Glee, he already had Groff in mind for a part.

Problem was Groff was initially tied up with another series pilot. But when that failed to catch on, Glee beckoned.

“A role was written specifically for me for the back nine episodes,” says Groff, whose late arrival has given him a unique perspective on the series’ rapid, overwhelming success.

“I saw Glee explode from my TV at home. Then I got dropped into the hurricane.”

So far, Groff counts his duet with Michele on Lionel Richie’s Hello as a show favorite. And his toughest musical moment? AC/DC’s Highway To Hell.

“I’m a singer before a dancer. Dancing is something that that doesn’t ever come easily.”

As for Jesse St. James’ future on the series, it’s up in the air. Though Glee was renewed for another season a long time ago (and was recently awarded the coveted time slot after next year’s Super Bowl), Groff isn’t sure what his role might be.

“Details for my involvement haven’t been worked out yet,” he says. “But I’d love to see Rachel and Jesse end up together.”

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