There have always been LGBTQ+ characters throughout the history of film. Of course, it's a matter of how well those LGBTQ+ characters are represented. LGBTQ+ movies in the 2000s, for instance, pushed forward to the mainstream with critical and commercial successes like Brokeback Mountain and Milk. Eventually, LGBTQ+ movies in the 2010s soared with more diverse and nuanced depictions of queerness, due in large part to the ongoing discourse of representation and inclusion. Indeed, LGBTQ+ writers, directors, and creators carved spaces for themselves to tell their stories.
Update August 30, 2023: This article has been updated with even more LGBTQ+ series you should watch.
Early LGBTQ+ representation on the small screen, like film, has similarly been a mixed bag. From the overly stereotypical portrayal of gay men in Will & Grace to Ugly Betty's inability to outwardly address its characters' queerness, early attempts just seemed to miss the mark. And if a show were explicitly queer, like Queer as Folk or The L Word, they were considered niche. Now, representation on television has evolved, going deeper into the LGBTQ+ experience and daring to represent onscreen the previously unseen. Looking was, for example, unashamedly gay and sexy, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, one of the best workplace TV comedies of all time, features two queer characters of color in its main cast. Yes, from teen dramas to historical fiction, LGBTQ+ representation now is rampant across TV. Here's a list that comprises the best LGBTQ+ TV series that you should be watching.
11 Young Royals
This Swedish teen drama follows the young Prince Wilhelm and his adventures at a fictional boarding school, including his budding romance with a fellow student. The Netflix show depicts teenage life, albeit not as down to earth as some other shows due to the high society setting and the high stakes of falling in love with someone who doesn’t fit the perfect ideal that is expected — a theme that resonates heavily with many in the community.
10 Love, Victor
Hulu comedy-drama Love, Victor centers around the titular character (played by Michael Cimino) — a new student at Creekwood High School who is struggling to get to grips with his own sexual orientation. Set in the same fictional universe as the 2018 film Love, Simon, the series follows similar themes of identity, sexuality, and coming-of-age.
Over the course of the show's three seasons, Victor navigates high school life and friendships while slowly becoming more comfortable in his sexuality. Love, Victor is a sweet and gentle show that perfectly encapsulates what it is like to feel different in one's teenage years. Never too hammy or overly soppy, it's a series that handles its subject matter in a realistic, relatable, and charming way.
9 Master of None
The first two seasons of Aziz Ansari's hit Netflix show Master of None focus on the character of Dev Ansari himself) and the hits and misses in both his personal and professional life. Part of that includes his friendship with lesbian novelist Denise (Lena Waithe). In the third season, though, Denise is promoted to the role of main character, and it's her story that we, the audience, follow. Sub-titled Moments of Love, this season depicts Denise's marriage to Alicia (Naomi Ackie), the breakdown of said marriage, and the eventual fallout.
From the beginning, Master of None featured some of the smartest character-driven writing on TV, and the third season is no different. The decision to shift the focus onto Waithe's character and to tell a unique story about a lesbian woman's struggle to start a family is an inspired one. It's just a shame we didn't get to see more of it.
8 Gentleman Jack
Gentleman Jack is a historical drama created by the BBC and HBO. It tells the story of the real-life landowner and industrialist Anne Lister (Suranne Jones), whose diaries, which document many lesbian affairs, act as inspiration for the series. Set in 1830s Yorkshire, it primarily revolves around Lister's romance with wealthy heiress Ann Walker (Sophie Rundle), which, if discovered, would be catastrophic for them both.
Created by acclaimed writer Sally Wainwright, Gentleman Jack features witty dialogue, clever plotting, and fourth wall breaks that will make you laugh. The central character of Lister is bold, confident, and the complete antithesis of what a lady of the time was supposed to be like. She's also superbly brought to life by Jones's winning performance. Raucous and radical, Gentleman Jack is an LGBTQ+ period drama done right.
7 Sort Of
Created by and starring Canadian actor Bilal Baig, Sort Of follows Sabi, a gender-fluid millennial who is trying to come to get to grips with their own identity, while regularly clashing with society's expectations of them. While Sabi's Pakistani immigrant parents struggle to understand their child's lifestyle, their friends, Bessy and 7ven offer much-needed emotional support.
With two seasons already out and a third one in development, Sort Of is a show that keeps on going from strength to strength. As hilarious as it is touching, the series offers a raw and honest look into the life and struggles of a member of society's most marginalized groups. Baig themself is a brilliant performer, expertly bringing to life a flawed yet likable character. This is a show to look out for.
6 It’s a Sin
Russell T. Davies' critically acclaimed and heartbreaking miniseries was released in 2021, and with many awards already attached to its name with more nominations pending, it’s an incredible deep-dive into the reality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. The story takes place in London and, briefly, New York, and showcases the generally negative attitude towards gay men in particular in this era. Starring famous faces such as Olly Alexander of Years & Years fame, Stephen Fry, and even Neil Patrick Harris, viewers witness the highs and lows of a group of friends living through this terrifying era — and, what's more, gives clues as to why this very real issue was ignored for so long.
The heart-warming moments make the tragedy all the more painful, and the ending feels earth-shattering by the time all is revealed. Of course, that doesn't make It's a Sin any less watchable — it only makes it even more important. With a majority-LGBTQ+ cast, this show is excellent at representing the reality of being different in a time when the whole community was demonized, making the inclusion of older LGBTQ+ actors even more poignant.
5 Sex Education
One of the giants associated with LGBTQ+ media, Sex Education, is a Netflix original with heaps of charm and just as much representation. Eric, portrayed by the fabulous Ncuti Gatwa, is a particular fan favorite on the show, from his witty comebacks to his acceptance of his cultural identity and how that interacts with his sexual identity. Moreover, all the characters go through various journeys of accepting their sexualities, including an asexual character, something that is extremely rare even within exclusively LGBTQ+ media.
Asa Butterfield plays the awkwardly charming protagonist, helping his peers come to terms with who they are while struggling with his own identity along the way. This series is jam-packed with moments that will leave you wanting more, and the faithful representation of the entire spectrum of sexualities will cement it in any viewers' heart
4 Dickinson
Hailee Steinfeld is Emily Dickinson in this Apple TV original, which dives into the constraints of society during the 19th century. With parts of the plot taken from Dickinson’s real letters, this show is important as it shows that LGBTQ+ people aren’t a new thing: they’ve always been around, even when it has seemed impossible. The tension of forbidden love makes the romantic payoff even more satisfying when it happens and never feels gimmicky or forced. The on-screen relationship between Emily and the seemingly unattainable Susan Gilbert (portrayed by Ella Hunt) is beautiful and makes Dickinson a worthwhile watch, even if you aren’t specifically interested in the works of Emily Dickinson.
3 Feel Good
Mae Martin wrote and starred in this semi-autobiographical British romantic comedy. Feel Good focuses on the relationship between our main characters, Mae and George, a girl who has never been in a relationship with someone who isn’t a man. Through a heartwarming series of events, viewers experience the tumultuous experience of being at different stages in realizing sexuality and how the tension builds and falls away.
Mae also struggles with gender identity, coming out as nonbinary during the second season and struggling with how that changes the relationship. Feel Good is a fantastic look into falling in love with someone else while being unsure of yourself, and should definitely be on your watch list.
2 Euphoria
Sam Levinson’s Euphoria is one of the most talked about TV shows in recent years, and for good reason. The beautifully complex relationship between Rue and Jules, portrayed by Zendaya and Hunter Schafer, respectively, is at the heart of what makes this show so special. A transgender main character is a rarity, even today, and having a transgender character portrayed by a transgender actress is sadly even rarer.
In Euphoria, this fact is not only shown deliberately but it’s also celebrated. Throughout the darker moments of the show, when Zendaya’s Rue is struggling with addiction and mental health issues, we still have the Centre of Sapphic love to ground viewers and build back some hope. Both seasons, which are currently available to watch on HBO Max — are not to be missed.
1 Heartstopper
Netflix romantic comedy-drama Heartstopper has become something of a cultural phenomenon since the first season dropped in 2022. Based on the webcomic of the same name by Alice Oseman, the series tells the story of gay teenager Charlie (Joe Locke), who develops feelings for his popular classmate, Nick (Kit Connor). Over the course of two seasons (and counting), the show explores the relationship between the two, as well as the lives of their friends and classmates.
As well as being a ratings hit, Heartstopper has received critical acclaim, particularly for its representation of the LGBTQ+ community. Characters who are gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, and more are all depicted positively depicted, making Heartstopper a groundbreaking piece of television. With two seasons already under its belt and more on the way, Heartstopper is the sweetest gift that keeps on giving.