I am beyond excited to be writing this article. Growing up, the idea that there would be an article like this out there, let alone, having enough content to do a full-blown countdown, would have been a fantasy.
But the landscape of TV/Streaming has changed. No longer is heteronormativity blindly accepted as the only form of entertainment.
In the past, queerness was used as a punchline or cautionary tale. Shows, movies and pretty much any media treated LGBTQ+ people as some sort of caricature. In my lifetime, we saw Ellen DeGeneres come out on her show “Ellen,” and the backlash was so severe it got canceled, and Ellen was MIA for years.
But now, we have so many shows depicting queer people as more than the sassy sidekick, more than a punchline, more than a thing to be mocked and degraded.
These shows are putting queerness front and center and unapologetically showing that queer will always be here.
Now, let’s get to the countdown!
The Top 15 LGBTQ+ Shows To Stream Now
15. “Glamorous”
“Glamorous” is probably the project I struggled most with on this list. I actually debated putting it on the list at all.
A rather unlikable lead almost sunk this ship for me, but as the series went through its first season, I found myself invested in the surrounding characters. Unapologetically queer and very fem, which is a huge plus, “Glamorous” dares you to say something about it.
Exploring the dramatized world of makeup, we watch a cast grow and find their voices and characters in the first season. What comes next? Who knows, since Netflix canceled it after one season,
It gets its place on the list for being one of the first shows to truly embrace a gender non-conforming lead, being open about the different personalities within the LGBTQ+ community and having some fun moments. I would have liked to see what a second season brought.
Streaming Platforms: Netflix (Subscription)
14. “Pose”
“Pose” starts our list due to the incredible amount of differing characters and plot lines that run throughout. Sporting a cast that would make any show-runner envious, “Pose” has the honor of having the first-ever trans actor (Michaela Jae Rodriguez) to be nominated for a lead role at the Emmy Awards. The show itself sports a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes!
Supported by incredible talent, from Evan Peters (Stan) to the diva herself, Patty LuPone (Frederica), “Pose” doesn’t struggle to have star power. Highly dramatic and at times draining to the viewer, “Pose” doesn’t offer much in the way of levity. Still, it is an incredible show worthy of your time!
Streaming Platforms: Hulu (Subscription)
13. “Uncoupled”
Neil Patrick Harris playing a heartbroken, middle-aged gay man who finds himself suddenly single? Yeah, I was on board the minute I saw the preview.
What separates this show is the fact that we get a glimpse into the life of an older protagonist having to start over. Representation doesn’t only apply to the youth, after all. Seeing someone older and still having to find themselves sends a strong message that the idea of “having it all together” is a fallacy. It’s OK to still be finding yourself!
Harris thrives in this role and delivers a strong and comedic turn as the main character, Michael. His charm is there as always, and the show is supported by an incredible main cast, notably Tisha Campbell (Suzanne), who is just delightful in this show!
Streaming Platforms: Netflix (Subscription)
12. “Reservation Dogs”
A series that doesn’t bother to pander to those who may not be the exact target audience, “Reservation Dogs” still delivers tons of laughs and tons of heartfelt moments. Moving hard against the typical Hollywood approach, the show casts young, indigenous and unknown actors to carry the lead. The humor is unapologetically authentic to the indigenous community, and the slang in the show follows suit.
To see a show so openly authentic is a breath of fresh air. You’ll find that a lot of the shows on this list land in this realm.
Critically acclaimed and beloved by its audience, “Reservation Dogs” is a show that will be talked about for years to come!
Streaming Platforms: Hulu (Subscription)
11. “Our Flag Means Death”
Taika Waititi (Captain Blackbears) stars alongside Rhys Darby (Stede Bonnet) in this rom-com series about a rich man who decides to become a pirate for shits and giggles. It’s an insane concept, but one we have come to expect from a Waititi-involved project! Currently on its second season, “Our Flag Means Death” is a fun watch and one that doesn’t require an intense amount of concentration to enjoy!
Another series that doesn’t shy away from the realities of the world for people who aren’t cis, straight or white, “Our Flag Means Death” has something to say while keeping the laughs plentiful.
Streaming Platforms: Max (Subscription)
10. “Interview with the Vampire”
We move into the top 10 and start with a strong entry. “Interview with the Vampire” expands on the movie’s premise and delivers strong characters, sets and stories.
Unlike the original movie, this show leans into the queerness that the book series “The Vampire Chronicles” had! This shift is important as queerness has often been removed or tamed in media for way too long. For a show to undo the mistakes of its predecessor is a huge step and a big reason that “Interview with the Vampire” lands in our top 10!
Streaming Platforms: The Roku Channel (Free), AMC+ (Subscription), Amazon Prime Video (Premium Subscription)
9. “Euphoria”
Zandaya leads this show with a painful realism that can rip your heart out of your chest and keep you begging for more. Relentless in its depiction of drug use, heartbreak, traumas and yes, queerness, “Euphoria” excels as a show and is one that is a must-watch!
With Zendaya playing Rue, who deals with addiction, her complicated relationship, queerness and so much more, “Euphoria” pulls no punches. It allows no reprieve for the actors or viewers. It is an intense show, and it should be! Zendaya shines in this, and anyone who hasn’t watched is missing out on a true gem!
Streaming Platforms: Max (Subscription)
8. “Sex Education”
Led by stars like Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson and Emma Mackey, “Sex Education” is a raunchy, cringey and hilarious ride through the lives (the sex lives mostly) of the cast. Otis (Butterfield) is the son of a sex therapist (Anderson), and he takes what he has learned from her and opens his own sex clinic at school!
What comes out of this is so much representation of various sexualities and an open and honest conversation about sex in general! No show I have ever seen has taken this topic, especially with this age group, and been open about it. Queerness thrives in this show, with a stellar performance from Ncuti Gatwa (Eric) bringing true non-conformity to the screen in fabulous and heartfelt ways.
“Sex Education” is a show that will be remembered by its fans for a long time. We said goodbye to our beloved show with the season four finale, but Otis, Maeve (Mackey), Jean and Eric will live on in our hearts!
Streaming Platforms: Netflix (Subscription)
7. “Single, Out”
This is the only show on our list that wasn’t originaly on a major streaming service. Finding a home at the queer-centered Here TV “Single, Out” is a show about the trials and tribulations of coming out and finding yourself once you do.
Led by Will Hutchins (Adam), a young Australian actor who is certainly destined for his time in the spotlight, “Single, Out” uses humor and emotion incredibly. Layering their characters with complexities, fears and personalities, this show will have you wanting to re-watch the first season (seasons two and three are not yet available in the US).
Director Lee Galea seems to have their finger on the pulse of the audience and knows when to lean into humor, or when to tug at our hearts. A small budget hasn’t held this show back, as crowd-funding has shown people’s passion for the project.
Hutchins doesn’t appear to be unnerved by the spotlight, and when the scene calls for it, he delivers powerhouse performances reminiscent of early Timothee Chalamet. “Single, Out” is a show every queer-media fan should watch!
Streaming Platforms: YouTube TV (Premium Subscription), Amazon Prime Video (Premium Subscription)
6. “Feel Good”
Mae Martin’s semi-autobiographical series is shockingly heart-wrenching. I just want to put that out there for anyone who is going into this show thinking that because Mae is hilarious their story will be too.
In fact, the comedy is much more sporadic, but the emotion and tension are present almost from the word go.
Mae finds themselves thriving in this world and delivers a strong performance for someone who hadn’t had a ton of screen time prior to this. A warning to those triggered by drugs and addiction, this show does not soften on these topics, and we watch as Mae has to navigate their world as an addict.
Joined by Charlotte Richie (George) and Lisa Kudrow (Linda), “Feel Good” is a star turn for Mae and an incredibly important entry on this list for its unapologetic focus on gender, sexuality and drug abuse.
Streaming Platforms: Netflix (Subscription)
5. “Love, Victor”
A spin-off series based in the “Love, Simon” universe, “Love, Victor” is the breakout role for Michael Cimino (Victor).
The series focuses on Cimino’s Victor, a young Latino who is struggling with the fact that he is gay. With parents who may not understand, being new in a school and a big crush on the school’s coolest, hottest, out-and-proud boy Benji (George Sear), Victor has a lot of life to figure out quickly.
Anthony Turpel (Felix), Bebe Wood (Lake), Rachel Hilson (Mia) and Mason Gooding (Andrew) all join the cast and bring so much life and energy to their roles. Three seasons wasn’t nearly enough time to spend with the characters, but it’s enough to leave a lasting impression on all who watched the show!
Streaming on Hulu, “Love, Victor,” is definitely the kind of show you will want to watch in a binge. Save it for a rainy day and laugh, cry and cheer for these characters!
Streaming Platforms: Hulu (Subscription), Disney+ (Subscription)
4. “Young Royals”
This show… damn. When the Prince of Sweden (Edvin Ryding) is caught in yet another scandal, he is sent to boarding school to try to save himself from public ridicule and fix his behavior. The problem is he meets another boy (Omar Rudberg) who ignites a fire in him that he won’t extinguish for anything.
When a video is leaked of Wilhelm (Ryding) and Simon (Rudberg) having sex, the scandal returns, and the crown becomes very involved in their relationship.
Watch this at your own peril because the ups and downs of the show will make your stomach twist. You will fall in love 10 times over with Wilhelm and Simon, and watching the obstacles they face will infuriate you.
Streaming Platforms: Netflix (Subscription)
3. “Schitt’s Creek”
Ew, David. Actually, “ew” is the last thing we’d say about this show. Created by father-son duo Eugene and Dan Levy, “Schitt’s Creek” is a non-stop hilarious ride. From the Levy’s characters (Jonny and David) to Annie Murphy being a star as Alexis, and, of course, no one can talk about “Schitt’s Creek” without acknowledging the iconic performance of Katherine O’Hara as Moira.
The Rose family loses their wealth and is forced to move to a town they bought as a joke. That town happens to be filled with insane people. So, the previously uber-wealthy are now made to walk amongst the commoners, and along the way, they find their humanity.
A show that isn’t so much about sexuality but rather refuses to feel the need to explain or apologize for it, “Schitt’s Creek” is unforgettable. So many of us can point to the infamous “wine, not the label” line as a perfect encapsulation of the show’s attitude.
Streaming Platforms: Hulu (Subscription)
2. “What We Do in the Shadows”
The funniest show on the list, “What We Do In the Shadows,” is maybe the most perfect comedy ever created. Is that high praise? Yes. Is it deserved? Absolutely.
Following Nandor (Kayvan Novak), Laszlo (Matt Berry) and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), three vampires, who for some reason, are followed by documentarians, this trio is an example of chemistry personified.
The laughs are non-stop, but this show lands on our list because of its overt depiction and description of queerness. Vampires are often written as sexually fluid, “What We Do In the Shadows” accepts that as fact and lets the vamps go nuts.
Whether it’s Laszlo frequently making moves on some guy while his “good lady-wife” Nadja is present, or it’s Nandor’s familiar Guillermo (Harvey Guillen) being an out character, this show is queer and proud of it.
Taika Waititi knows how to represent cultures. And he doesn’t pull back on representing queerness. Sex, murder, comedy and a whole lot of shenanigans are in store for anyone who hasn’t watched this series. Rewatch appeal is high, and you’ll be on the floor in laughter within five minutes of the pilot.
Streaming Platforms: Hulu (Subscription)
1. “Heartstopper”
We’ve reached the top, and we’ve reached a phenomenon. “Heartstopper” is based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novels of the same name.
The two stars Joe Locke (Charlie Spring) and Kit Connor (Nick Nelson) have caused this charming little show to catapult into a full-blown mega-hit! Fans have embraced Nick and Charlie as members of their family, and the love this show receives is unlike anything I have ever seen for a TV show.
Focusing on Nick’s coming out process of being bisexual as Charlie faces the demons of being bullied for being gay, the two lovable characters find each other. And the love story we get is so pure, warm and loving that it creates something safe and needed for people of all sexualities.
Add in the incredible representation of trans, asexual and non-binary people, and “Heartstopper” doesn’t miss a beat. Joining Locke and Connor are William Gao (Tao), Yasmin Finney (Elle), Corinna Brown (Tara) and Kizzy Edgell (Darcy). All of these actors are destined for greatness, and no one who has seen this show will be surprised.
The show currently streams on Netflix, and season two dropped this past August!
Streaming Platforms: Netflix (Subscription)
Thanks for reading my “Top 15 LGBTQ+ Shows To Stream Now.” I hope you have enjoyed yourself, and keep an eye out for more movies, music and show recommendations! For more entertainment and sports takes, find me on Twitter, @Steve_Lawson93.