| Matt Fielding | |||||||||||||||
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| Melrose Place character | |||||||||||||||
 Doug Savant as Matt Fielding in the opening credits of the pilot | |||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Doug Savant | ||||||||||||||
| Duration | 1992–97 Seasons 1–6 | ||||||||||||||
| First appearance | July 8, 1992 (Episode 1.01: "Pilot") | ||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | September 8, 1997 (Episode 6.01: "A Brand New Day") | ||||||||||||||
| Created by | Darren Star | ||||||||||||||
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Matthew Fielding, Jr. is a fictional character in the American television series Melrose Place, portrayed by Doug Savant. Matt was an openly gay man working as a social worker in Los Angeles. Initially Matt was not the focus of ongoing storylines, a situation that would not substantially change until the series became a serial drama in its second season. Matt Fielding appeared as a regular character from 1992 until 1997, when he moved to San Francisco. He was later killed off-screen in a car crash.
In contrast to the promiscuous sexual behaviour and relationship issues that drove the stories for Melrose's heterosexual characters, Matt's storylines tended to be about subjects like gay bashing and workplace discrimination. Matt occasionally became romantically involved with another man but the character was never shown in any sexual situations. The one planned instance of Matt's kissing another man was edited to remove the kiss, with a reaction shot of another character substituted. Broadcaster Fox and series creator Darren Star feared backlash from social conservatives and advertisers should Matt engage in any sexual conduct. Critics questioned this decision throughout Matt's tenure on the series.
Although Matt was killed, Savant expressed interest in returning for the 2009 series revival but producers were not interested.