Although LGBTQ+ representation in media has been on the rise, it seems that TV shows that centre queer women are often cancelled faster than ones with queer male characters.

It’s wonderful to open Netflix and see shows like Young Royals and Heartstopper on the Top 10 page. However, as is the case with any streaming service, it is apparent there is a major lack of TV shows with queer female characters and those that exist only have one or two seasons. This is because shows with queer women appear to keep getting cancelled!

These cancellations, for the most part, are not due to bad ratings. Shows like A League of Their Own (2022) had a high audience demand and, according to Parrot Analysis, ranked 85.1% in the comedy genre. Even though there was such a high demand for the series, it was unfortunately cancelled after one season by Amazon Prime.

Here are some shows with queer women-loving women (WLW) representation that were lost too soon due to cancellation. 

I Am Not Okay With This (2020)

I Am Not Okay With This follows a teenager navigating her way through high school as she gains telekinesis powers. This is a comedy coming of age that focuses on the main character’s relationship with her sexuality as she realises her feelings for someone close to her. It encapsulates the scary feeling of growing into one’s sexuality and accepting that identity.

A Leauge of Their Own (2022)

A League of Their Own is a remake of the 1992 film of the same name. This adaptation puts lesbian representation front and centre. The main character demonstrates an emotional portrayal of the realities of women’s baseball at that time, and the show incorporates intersectional identities as well as the effects those identities have on the character’s life. 

Everything Sucks! (2018)

Everything Sucks! is a gem amongst coming-of-age series. Set in the mid-’90s, it follows the story of a teenage girl who is trying to find herself through making films. As she makes a film for the drama club, she becomes closer to one of the main leads of the play. 

One Day at a Time (2017)

The 2017 reboot of One Day at a Time is an emotional sitcom that ran for four seasons before getting the boot. It tells the story of a three-generational family as they work through the trials of life and love. This series has multiple complex queer relationships and shows how queer identity can affect both romantic and family connections.

High Fidelity (2020)

High Fidelity follows a bisexual woman in her adult life as she attempts to get over a breakup and back into dating. It’s a raw retelling of the 2000’s film High Fidelity with a modern take on love and heartbreak. Unfortunately, this show focusing on a strong queer woman was cancelled after only one season.

Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies (2023)

Another remake of a beloved classic is Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. This series is a queer retelling of the iconic pink ladies, putting a musical spin on their original story. It follows four high school students from different backgrounds who form a girl gang and find ways to unapologetically exist outside the box society puts them in. Although this series is authentic and has heart, it was sadly cancelled after one season.

Willow (2022)

From Disney+, Willow is an adventure series based on the 1988 film of the same name. It follows a group as they embark on a mythical journey, with the titular main character forming a beautiful queer relationship with one of the other members of the group.

Genera+tion (2021)

Genera+ion is a deeply impactful series that portrays what it is like for a group of queer people living in a conservative world. The series uses comedy to break up the severity of the themes that are present throughout the show.

The Wilds (2020)

The 2020 series The Wilds is about a group of girls who unwilling become members of a social experiment. Throughout the time they spend together, they mature, and romantic feelings between two main characters, Shelby and Toni, solidify. It’s an interesting drama that allows a new take on finding one’s sexual identity in harsh circumstances. 

All of these shows are gems that portray WLW relationships on screen. It is important for everyone to feel represented, and by cancelling these shows, the opportunity for queer women to see themselves on the screen is taken away.