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Euphoria (2019–present)
We’ve seen so many “teen dramas” come across our screens over the years, but none have come close to the emotional depth and grittiness of HBO’s award-winning Euphoria. Through flashbacks, we twist and turn through the events leading up to Frannie’s arrest, including her passionate queer relationship with the murdered woman.
A standout queer classic of recent years, Feel Good draws from Mae Martin’s real life as a comedian struggling with addiction as they embark on a co-dependent relationship with schoolteacher George, who is trying to adapt to her first queer love.
Yes, it will cost not a penny more than your TV license to watch every single one of these scripted and reality shows!
The Queerest Shows on BBC, ITV, Channel 4 & Channel 5
These shows feature super queer, lesbian, trans or bisexual women lead characters or significant queer stories!
2017-2022 // 5 seasons // 46 episodes
This comedy drama is set amid the fallout from merging two schools in the fictional Northern town of Ackley, mixing white and South Asian communities together in a way that stirs up a whole gamut of social issues.
In fact, read Natalie’s review for a real take. Since its inception, this franchise has been forward-thinking and raw in its depiction of challenges teens face, including coming out, bullying, and other issues related to LGBTQ life.
The show is all about New York City's drag ball culture scene in the 1980s and 1990s, set at the height of the AIDS epidemic. It's exaggerated and ridiculous at times, but also a genuinely charming portrayal of life in the north-east of England. It will make you laugh, then cry, then laugh again. Pippa’s queer best friend Cara has a crush on another girl at school, plus there’s a gender non-confirming character, Jesse, but ultimately queerness doesn’t play a major role in the show.
At the forefront of the clique is Louise, a Black queer woman, and with a twisty plot rife with female obsession, you can expect further smatterings of sapphism.
Conversations with Friends
2022 // 1 season // 12 episodes
Adapted from Sally Rooney’s debut novel, this series follows the relationship dramas of queer uni student Frances, as she embarks on an affair with a married actor with zero personality.
I KISSED A BOY/I KISSED A GIRL (2023 - present)
I KISSED A BOY is a British dating game show where ten single gay men are paired up at an Italian villa and spend several weeks getting to know each other after meeting for the first time with a kiss. There are tons of laugh-out-loud moments, intertwined with tender moments exploring depression and grief.
Following a group of aspiring actors and filmmakers trying to make it in Tinseltown, the series dismantles our idea of the Golden Age of Hollywood in favour of a more inclusive narrative.
MORE: 25 of the best Netflix movies being released in 2022
Find season one of Hollywood on Netflix
Love, Victor - Disney+
This Hulu coming-of-age dramedy is a spin-off from the book and film Love, Simon and follows a teen wrestling with competing identities as he explores his sexuality, staying true to his Latino roots and living up to his family's religious expectations - issues that will be all too familiar to viewers from similar multicultural and multiracial backgrounds.
Viewers can find Love, Victor on Hulu in the US and Disney+ in the UK
MORE: Love, Victor fans support star Michael Cimino after shocking death threats
Sex Education - Netflix
There are many reasons why we love British teen series Sex Education, but right up there is the unapologetic and brilliant Eric Effiong, played by Ncuti Gatwa.
It's full of drama, romance and Dannii Minogue - along with some really lovely conversations about queerness and dating. Season two is now available on BBC iPlayer, so what are you waiting for?
Binge Gentleman Jack on BBC iPlayer now
Schitt's Creek - Netflix
It's not hard to see why Schitt's Creek swept the board at last year's Emmys.
Although much of the plot is driven by storylines revolving around men murdering or assaulting women, the show shines in scenes involving the ensemble powerhouse female cast. Her only link to the outside is her ex-girlfriend (Rose Leslie), with whom she exchanges messages encoded using references to their shared past, so not only does Suranne have to endure claustrophobia and multiple chasings, she also gets to relive her relationship traumas too!
DRAG RACE UK (2019 - present)
I feel like at this stage everyone's familiar with Drag Race, but if you haven't watched DRAG RACE UK, I feel like you're missing out. It's a horror-comedy-drama following Jamie, who starts working on the cruise ship where his sister, Pippa, disappeared after being chased by a knife-wielding psycho in a duck costume.
The second season is notable for the appearance of a young Lena Headey playing a dominatrix who has a relationship with a vulnerable runaway played by an outstanding Samantha Morton.
2012- // 14 seasons // 116 episodes
This cozy Sunday teatime fare is shot through with a bit of grit, following a bunch of nuns and midwives working in poverty-stricken post-war London.
Jade struggles with anger management, Colette struggles with crap boyfriends, and they start getting closer during their shifts at the world’s least-visited pool.