October 19, 2021 · By Chris Parkhurst
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Queer TV shows worth binging right now
There’s a fresh crop of queer and gay lead TV shows now available to binge from several streamers. In recent years there have been a bunch of teen and young adult dramas and comedies from around the world, all featuring gay main characters (and in many cases, lead by gay actors).
It’s a Sin
Our top pick is an amazing but hard to watch drama from the brilliant writer and Queer as Folk creator Russell T. Davies. It’s a Sin revolves around a group of flatmates in 1980s London, and the impact of the AIDS crisis on their circle of friends. Originally a Channel 4 production in the UK, it came to the US on HBO Max, and it available on both platforms.
Stream It’s a Sin on HBO Max (US) or Channel 4 (UK)
Elite
The Spanish teen drama has managed to get renewed on Netflix more than any other show (or at least of the ones we were watching)! The thriller revolves around the lives of three working-class scholarship students at the elite high school Las Encinas, and their wealthy classmates. Most importantly, their are a few gay main characters who obviously fall in love, plus most of the boys are hot. Ander, over-achiever has a relationship with closeted Omar throughout the early seasons, finding himself in a love-triangle with another student in season 4 (Patrick, who also has several love interests to keep him busy). Expect a lot of drama!
Generation
Ignore that the single-season HBO Max streaming series has been cancelled and just enjoy the 10 episodes, and especially Justice Smith. The show follows a group of high school students whose exploration of modern sexuality (devices and all) tests deeply entrenched beliefs about life, love and the nature of family in their conservative community.
Start watching Generation on HBO Max
Young Royals
Netflix has given us a triple threat with this Swedish gay teen drama that follows the young crown prince Wilhelm who’s sent to an elite boarding school for the country’s royal classes. There he meets local boy and scholarship student Simon, and they quickly fall in love. But Wilhelm is the prince, in line for the throne, and he can’t be gay. Or can he? And best of all, the show has been renewed for a second season!
Stream Young Royals on Netflix
Love, Victor
Extending the Love, Simon universe, this series spin-off focuses on high-schooler Victor as he discovers his sexuality with the help of an Instagram dm-pal, Simon. Two seasons in and a third renewed we’re watching Victor and his boyfriend struggle with first times, and love-triangles. Love, Victor has been an interesting series for Disney, who want gay teen shows, but struggle to promote them on Disney+ (instead hiding the shows on Hulu or the Star tab).
Stream Love, Victor on Hulu
Special
Another great show cancelled too soon, a victim of Netflix’s regular purging. The comedy-drama created by and starring Ryan O’Connell based on his memoir, managed to get two seasons and 16 episodes before Netflix pulled the plug. Ryan plays a fictionalized version of himself, a gay man with cerebral palsy, as he navigates relationships, friendships and self-sufficiency.
Start watching Special on Netflix
Q-Force
The only animated series in the mix, Q-Force follows a group of LGBT super-spies in the fictional American Intelligence Agency (AIA) who are undervalued and constantly having to prove themselves in the agency. Lead by Agent Mary (voiced by Will & Grace star Sean Hayes), the team includes a twink, lesbian, transgender hacker, and a straight man. The stellar cast and funny storylines is worth checking out!
The Other Two
Writer and created by two Saturday Night Live alum, The Other Two follows grown up siblings Drew and Brooke as they suddenly find themselves living in their teenage brother’s shadow as he becomes a viral music sensation. The first season ran on Comedy Central, before moving over to HBO Max for the second season. It’s already been renewed for a third season, which we assume will stay on HBO Max.
Start watching The Other Two on HBO Max