While LGBTQ+ representation is on the rise in the entertainment industry, it’s safe to say that it’s not equal for all members of the community. Among those underrepresented in film and TV are butch, stud and masc individuals, but that doesn’t mean they’re nowhere to be found! Below is a list of some of our favourites.

Shane (Kate Moennig) in The L Word
Starting with a bang, Shane McCutcheon from The L Word is one of the most iconic lesbian characters of all time. Portrayed expertly by Kate Moennig, her androgynous look and confident demeanour attract an array of romantic partners, earning her a reputation as the show’s heartbreaker. Her story unfolds across all six seasons of The L Word, and she also appears in the recent Generation Q spin-off.

Denise (Lena Waithe) in Master of None
While the early seasons of Master of None focus on the life of Dev, a New York-based actor, the show also introduces viewers to Denise, the protagonist’s lesbian friend. Played by Lena Waithe, her story takes centre stage in Season 3 of the series, offering an intimate look at her relationship with her wife Alicia.

Hattie (JoJo T Gibbs) in Twenties
Speaking of Lena Waithe, she is the executive producer of Twenties, a semi-autobiographical series following a queer Black screenwriter chasing her dreams in LA. The main character, Hattie, is played by JoJo T Gibbs, and Season 3 is expected in early 2025, so there’s no better time to start watching!

Melissa King in Top Chef
Moving away from fictional TV and film characters, there’s also been some good butch and masc representation in reality competitions. No more so than in Top Chef, with Melissa King appearing in Season 12 of the Boston edition, and (spoiler alert) even winning the 17th season of All-Stars L.A.

 

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Mae (Mae Martin) in Feel Good
This charming semi-autobiographical series follows recovering addict and comedian Mae as they navigate a new relationship. Season 2 also explores their gender identity journey, with Mae since coming out as non-binary.

Big Boo (Lea DeLaria) in Orange Is the New Black
Orange Is the New Black is one of the best TV shows for butch and lesbian representation, with characters like Poussey, Stella and of course, Big Boo. The latter was played by the incredible Lea DeLaria, who has been a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ visibility in the entertainment industry.

 

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Mal Wright in The Ultimatum: Queer Love
Another reality TV contestant, Mal Wright was a fan-favourite from The Ultimatum: Queer Love. The series is full of drama, but Mal brought a mature and grounded energy, which was often praised by viewers.

Corky (Gina Gershon) in Bound
Corky is a dynamic and fearless character in the Wachowski sisters’s feature film directorial debut, Bound. The film follows the ex-con, as she and her lover Violet make a plan to steal millions of mob money and pin it on the latter’s boyfriend.

Amy (Chloë Sevigny) in If These Walls Could Talk 2
This three-part anthology film is a sequel to the 1996 iteration of If These Walls Could Talk, focusing on the then-scandalous topic of lesbianism. In it, Chloë Sevigny plays Amy, a motorcycle-riding butch credited with being many people’s gay awakening.

Cheryl (Cheryl Dunye) in The Watermelon Woman
Liberian-American filmmaker and actor Cheryl Dunye is a must-know figure within queer cinema. Her 1996 romantic comedy-drama The Watermelon Woman is perhaps her best known work, and made history as the first feature film directed by a Black lesbian.

Anne Lister (Suranne Jones) in Gentleman Jack
Based on the real-life story of Anne Lister, Suranne Jones plays the iconic character in this historical drama. The show is a dramatisation of the LGBTQ+ icon’s life as a landowner in West Yorkshire during the 1800s.

Cleo (Queen Latifah) in Set It Off
In this film, desperation drives four inner-city women to bank robbery in LA, among them the ‘gay best friend’ Cleo, played by Queen Latifah. She is a stand-out character in the thriller, which was released in 1996.

Franco Stevens in Ahead of the Curve
Last but certainly not least is Frances ‘Franco’ Stevens, the focus of Ahead of the Curve. The documentary charts her story as the founder of a bestselling lesbian magazine, tracing back through the ’90s all the way up to 2021 when the film was released.

That concludes this list of some of the best butch, stud and masc characters in film and TV. If you think we’ve missed one or have some recommendations, be sure to let us know!