Ruaridh Mollica Discusses Tommy Maximoff’s Bisexuality in ‘VisionQuest’

Marvel’s Westview trilogy has gradually expanded the boundaries of its street-level corner of the MCU, delving into themes of grief, identity, and family trauma in ways that few other franchise entries have explored. As the narrative approaches its third and final chapter, this willingness to engage with deeper personal themes seems set to continue.

This exploration now includes Tommy Maximoff, the speedster son of Wanda Maximoff and Vision, who is set to return as an adult in ‘VisionQuest.’ Ruaridh Mollica portrays the character, who now goes by the name Thomas Shepherd after his essence was transferred into a new body during the events of ‘Agatha All Along.’

In a recent interview with SFX Magazine, Mollica was directly asked if Tommy’s bisexuality, a trait established in Marvel Comics, would be explicitly addressed in the series. The actor, who identifies as bisexual, shared that while he is uncertain if the show will reference it directly, he hopes his own identity as a bisexual actor will naturally resonate through his portrayal of Tommy’s character and self-awareness, leaving room for that aspect of the character to be explored in the future.

In the comics, Tommy Maximoff eventually adopts the superhero identity Speed, gaining powers akin to his father’s connection to Wanda’s lineage. His twin brother Billy, known as Wiccan in the comics and portrayed by Joe Locke in the MCU, had his own sexuality largely unaddressed on-screen during ‘Agatha All Along,’ despite his queerness being clear to longtime comic fans.

This trend of implying rather than stating certain identity details appears to extend to Tommy as well, based on Mollica’s comments. Given Marvel’s careful approach to these characters’ returns across various series, any decision regarding the explicitness of Tommy’s sexuality likely holds significant importance for a fanbase that has been closely following the Maximoff family’s ongoing narrative.

Alongside the interview, new images were released featuring Mollica with Lauren Morais, who plays Lisa Molinari, a character described as having a close personal connection to Tommy in the series. In the comics, Lisa is known by the alias Coat of Arms, though it remains uncertain how much of that backstory will be included in the show.

Their relationship is expected to develop as Tommy becomes involved in Vision’s storyline, especially when a bounty hunter named Paladin, portrayed by Todd Stashwick, forces White Vision to go on the run. With both Tommy and Lisa positioned as pivotal characters in this unfolding plot, their dynamic is set to carry significant weight throughout the season.

Mollica’s insights add another layer of anticipation to a series already burdened with high expectations as it concludes the trilogy that began with ‘WandaVision.’ Whether or not Tommy’s bisexuality is acknowledged directly on-screen, Mollica’s comments imply that the show’s creative team is at least aware of the character’s broader comic book context and is open to allowing that identity to influence the performance.

With ‘VisionQuest’ set to premiere on Disney+ on October 14, fans won’t have to wait long to see how Tommy’s journey and his relationship with Lisa unfold on screen.

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