Oftentimes in media, a queer character’s story revolves around coming out. We’ve all seen heartwarming scenes over the years of LGBTQ+ people opening up about their identities, but occasionally we come across characters who were out before their on-screen stories began.

Here are some wonderful characters that are openly queer without having to necessarily declare their identities. Beware, slight spoilers ahead for multiple shows and movies!

Sam and Tusker in Supernova

Colin Firth might be better known for his portrayal of a gay man in Mamma Mia!, but he also plays a gay man in this film alongside Stanley Tucci. Sam and Tusker have been romantic partners for many years, but with time comes ageing, and the two men must learn to love each other in new ways while on a road trip in their later lives.

Lydia in Tár

Amidst the psychologically thrilling elements of the film, Cate Blanchett plays a queer woman who is married to another woman with whom she’s raising a child. While the film explores Lydia’s sexual desires and features more characters who are out, the main focus is her misconduct and the drama it causes within the world of orchestra conducting.

Simon in Young Royals

This Swedish Netflix hit is now two seasons deep, with a third and final season coming. Simon is a scholarship student at a boarding school where the somewhat troubled Prince Wilhelm is also in attendance. The two develop a romantic relationship, which threatens the Swedish monarchy and causes a whole host of teenage drama.

Most refreshingly, Simon is already out as a gay teen before engaging with the unlabeled prince of Sweden.

Elle in Heartstopper

Another adored Netflix series, Heartstopper‘s main focus is on gay teen Charlie Spring and his new romantic interest Nick Nelson (who comes out as bisexual on the show), but one of their friends provides a heartwarming performance alongside them.

Elle Argent, played by Yasmin Finney, is a transgender girl who came out during the school term prior to when the show is set. Fans get to watch her settle into an all-girls school and make friends along the way. Season two makes its debut in August.

Caleb in Three Months

In this film, Troye Sivan portrays out, gay teen Caleb as he learns of his exposure to HIV just before his high school graduation. The story follows Sivan’s character as he waits three months for his status to be assessed, navigating falling in love during this confusing time.

Harper in iCarly

In a reboot of Nickelodeon’s hit show of the same name, Laci Mosley plays Carly’s best friend and roommate Harper. Besides being a burgeoning stylist, Mosley’s character is an out, pansexual woman, saying at one point that she goes “all ways”, typically comically competing with Carly’s brother, Spencer, for dates. Season three is now airing on Paramount Plus!

These are just a few of the out characters that you can watch in media today, get streaming now!