Tuc Watkins and Andrew Rannells brought a little romance to their spooky sailor costumes this Halloween — including a kiss captured in the middle of a busy city street.
In photographs shared on Watkins’ Instagram account, the actors wear striped tops, battered white trousers and sailor hats, with fishing nets and seaweed-like decorations draped across their outfits. Dark eye makeup completes the ghostly effect.
One picture catches the couple in a dramatic dip and kiss. Others show them posing together outdoors and settling into a booth, still surrounded by their elaborate nautical accessories.
The explanation is very Tuc
Watkins gave the costumes a detailed backstory, saying they were inspired by French First World War sailors François Hervé and Yves Thomas, whom he described as shipmates who died aboard the warship Bouvet in March 1915.
That is the inspiration as described in his caption; the post does not establish that the two historical men were romantically involved.
Then Watkins brought the explanation back to Halloween with a perfectly dry punchline.
“But it’s really just an excuse to wear eyeliner.”
Rannells sounded satisfied with their work, commenting: “We really nailed this.” He added a heart.
From playing partners to being partners
The couple’s shared theatrical history makes the coordinated look especially fitting. They first met while playing boyfriends in the 2018 Broadway revival of The Boys in the Band, with Watkins as Hank and Rannells as Larry.
They later returned to those roles in the Netflix film adaptation. As the pair discussed in a joint interview with Out, the characters’ difficult relationship was quite different from their own life together.
The two have also worked together on Black Monday. Their Halloween photos offer another, considerably less formal chance to see them sharing a scene.
The affection underneath the costumes
Speaking to PinkNews in 2025, Watkins described being happy with Rannells and spoke warmly about the bond between his partner and his children.
It is a lovely piece of background to these playful pictures. Behind the ripped clothing, dramatic makeup and carefully arranged netting are two men who have built a relationship beyond the productions that brought them together.
And for this particular night, they clearly enjoyed committing to the same very theatrical idea. The costumes supply the Halloween spectacle; the kiss supplies the romance.
As for the eyeliner? Watkins has already supplied all the justification anyone needs.
📷 @tucwatkins
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