Actor and filmmaker Kit Williamson’s new creation, Unconventional, is now available on the LGBTQ+ streaming network Revry. Williamson is probably best known for creating, writing and directing EastSiders, a very queer, dark comedy series. His new show might be even more queer than that and both are notable for their casting of LGBTQ+ actors.

EastSiders tells the story of Cal (Kit Williamson), an aspiring photographer, and Thom (Van Hansis), an aspiring writer. The couple are struggling with their relationship, initially due to Thom’s infidelity with a younger guy called Jeremy (Matthew McKelligon), but they have further ups and downs along the way. This includes Cal’s boss Paul (Sean Maher) showing a sexual interest in him, despite being married for 10 years.

It also deals with Cal’s friend Kathy (Constance Wu) and her boyfriend and longest-lasting partner, Ian (John Halbach). The character of Ian is interesting in that he initially appears to be straight, but the series goes on to explore his bisexuality. I thought this was dealt with in a realistic way and highlighted the fact queer people exist in heterosexual relationships.

As the series progressed, we got to see more characters. Jeremy’s world expands as we meet his lesbian sister Bri (Brea Grant), who has been with her partner Vera (Vera Miao) for eight years and is raising kids. She is one of the more stable characters in the show. Jeremy ends up dating an older guy called Derrick (Leith M. Burke), exploring a relationship with an age gap.

My personal favourite relationship is between Quincy (Stephen Guarino), a gay party promoter who is friends with the group, and Douglas/Gamorrah Ray (Willam Belli, known as Willam), an aspiring drag queen and door girl. The characters start off as much-needed comic relief, but their relationship ended up being an interesting look at masculinity.

Unconventional, on the other hand, tells the story of Noah Guillory (Kit Williamson) and his husband, Dan Carter (James Bland). Noah is struggling to complete his PhD and Dan is looking to start a family through adoption. Their relationship is complicated when they meet Adam (Constantine Rousouli), who comes to the bar Noah works at to get a job as a dancer. The couple ends up having a sexual relationship with him.

Further complicating matters, Noah has agreed to be the sperm donor so that his sister Margot’s (Audrey Shea) partner Eliza (Briana Venskus) can get pregnant. Each episode follows a month of her pregnancy. Both Margot and Noah struggle with mental health issues and abuse drugs and alcohol, which further complicates matters.

Other recurring characters include: Arthur/Priscilla Cyben (Willam Belli), Noah’s boss at the bar who is also a drag queen, drug dealer and dispenser of advice; Dell (Laith Ashley), a trans man who is working on Margot’s art project and who she appears to be attracted to; Dr Edie Ellis (Kathy Griffin), who is advising Noah on his PhD; Dr Trip Howell (Tuc Watkins), Margot’s psychiatrist; and Carolyn Guillory (Dana Wheeler-Nicholson), Noah and Margot’s mother.

Unconventional manages to be even more diverse than EastSiders, and that is saying something. It also shows the various challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces in relation to becoming parents, from paternity rights and fertility issues to adoption costs.

As I mentioned, the subject of sobriety is covered. Kit Williamson commented, “So much of our community gathering places are centered around bars and parties, and that can be a challenge to navigate.”

Given the world we are living in, Unconventional is a show we need. Williamson noted, “I think we’re in a really interesting inflection point where I think we’re being told to quiet down, and I actually think that the opposite approach is what is needed.” The show is not overtly political, but as Willamson has noted, “Our lives have been politicized, right?”

Williamson’s show delivers the message that normal doesn’t exist. Anyone who tells you that is lying to you. Be gay. Do crimes. Oh, and support Unconventional and Revry.