Scratching your head about what LGBTQ+ TV series to watch next? Don’t worry, we’ve only gone and taken all the hard work out of the equation for you.

Here at GCN, we live and breathe TV, and over the years, a number of shows have stood out for having quality queer representation.

Ready to discover your next favourite series? Here are our top 15 shows with great LGBTQ+ representation.

Modern Family

When it first aired in 2009, Modern Family broke ground by bringing depictions of LGBTQ+ families into the mainstream, through Mitch, Cam, and their daughter, Lily. 16 years later, the sitcom still holds a special place in our hearts and remains our go-to comfort watch.

Heartstopper

Since it premiered in 2022, this queer Brit series has been stealing our hearts. LGBTQ+ fans on social media have been vocal about the impact the show has had on them, even inspiring a few to come out after watching the series. There have been three seasons of Heartstopper, and it’s all set to conclude with Heartstopper Forever, a feature-length film.

Shameless

Debuting in 2011, Shameless told the dark, dirty, and often unsavoury story of the Gallagher family. While the series featured LGBTQ+ characters since its first season, most notably Cameron Monaghan’s character Ian, the series also introduced its first transgender character, Trevor, in its seventh season.

First Kill

The LGBTQ+ community has always had a bit of a soft spot for vampiric lore, and, as a result, First Kill has developed a queer cult following. This Netflix series follows the classical narrative of a vampire hunter falling in love with a vampire, but with a lesbian twist, making it a supernatural show ideal for a spooky night.

The Bastard Son and the Devil Himself

Much like the aforementioned vampires, many in the LGBTQ+ community tend to have a soft spot for all things witchy, and The Bastard Son and the Devil Himself should be right up their alley. Sure, this series may be on the gory side, but there is also a beautiful exploration of teenage sexuality and queerness, and maybe a hint of polyamory.

Young Royals

This swoonworthy Netflix series follows Prince Wilhelm as he adjusts to life at his prestigious new boarding school, Hillerska. As it develops, he learns that following his heart proves more challenging than anticipated. As a relationship develops between Wilhelm and his classmate Simon, the LGBTQ+ TV series offers a realistic portrayal of class and the pressure to conform to society’s expectations.

Interview with the Vampire

Anne Rice’s beloved Interview with the Vampire chronicles got the small-screen treatment a number of years ago with this steamy series. The TV adaptation follows Louis de Pointe’s epic story of love, blood and the perils of immortality. With the second season of this gothic horror show having debuted last year, the series has already been renewed for a third.

Queer as Folk

Queer As Folk became a classic LGBTQ+ series when it first debuted in 1999, and its 2022 reboot is just as watchable. The shocking story takes place in the aftermath of a shooting at a queer club, giving a powerful insight into how everyone was impacted by the event.

It’s a Sin

The five-part miniseries, created by Russell T Davis, the same screenwriter who gave us Queer as Folk, explores the effects of the AIDS epidemic on the queer community in London. It’s a Sin is a hard-hitting drama with sharp criticism of the homophobic era of the ‘80s, all the while offering crucial education on the AIDS crisis.

Pose

This groundbreaking series honours the real-life trials and triumphs of members of the Black and Latinx queer community. Based on the Ballroom scene of 1980s New York City, the cast is largely made up of trans women of colour who face a variety of struggles, including racism, transphobia, and the onset of the HIV/AIDS crisis.

A League of Their Own

Based on the 1992 movie of the same name, A League of Their Own follows the formation of an all-female professional baseball team against the backdrop of World War 2. Fancy learning more? We caught up with one of the show’s stars, Lea Robinson, in 2022.

Feel Good

Co-created by comedian Mae Martin, who plays themself as the protagonist, this witty, funny series offers queer storylines that encompass gender, love, coming out, and more. It also deals with themes of trauma and addiction, handling several difficult topics expertly.

Dickinson

Dickinson reclaims Emily Dickinson’s queerness by depicting her passionate relationship with her sister-in-law, Sue. It reframes the myth of the lonely, heterosexual, unmarried woman, to which the famous poet has always been relegated. It provides a fascinating insight into the famous writer’s life, doing so with a modern sensibility.

Our Flag Means Death

While this show wasn’t renewed after two very successful and very queer seasons – much to its loyal fans’ dismay – rewatching it is never a bad idea. This gay comedy focuses on the fictionalised romantic relationship between Blackbeard (Taika Waititi) and Stede ‘The Gentleman Pirate’ Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and is the perfect show to watch when you’re in need of some cheering-up.

Gen V

The LGBTQ+ representation in this TV series is subtle but effective. Several of the main characters are queer, including Jordan Li, a bisexual Asian superhero who can transform between their male and female selves at will.

And this concludes our round-up of our favourite 15 TV series with quality queer representation! Keep your eyes on GCN as we enter a new year and aim to bring you the freshest picks from the world of LGBTQ+ entertainment.

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