It's been a few years, so it's time we update our list of queer and LGBT+ inclusive TV shows on Netflix right now. From charming British romance to campy queer animation and compelling international dramas, here are 20 of the best queer-focused and LGBT+ inclusive series available on Netflix right now.
(All shows available in the UK at time of publishing.)
1. YOUNG ROYALS (2021 - present)
YOUNG ROYALS is a Swedish teen drama romance streaming television series on Netflix. Set at the fictional elite boarding school Hillerska, the plot primarily follows the fictional Prince Wilhelm of Sweden (Edvin Ryding), his romance with fellow male student Simon Eriksson (Omar Rudberg), and the drama it results in.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men
Genre: Drama, Romance
Starring: Edvin Ryding, Omar Rudberg, Malte Gårdinger
Creators: Lisa Ambjörn, Lars Buckung, Camilla Holter
Rating: 12A
Episode Run Time: 50m
2. DEAD END PARANORMAL PARK (2022)
DEAD END: PARANORMAL PARK is an animated fantasy horror comedy series created by Hamish Steele for Netflix, which is based on the graphic novels series DeadEndia. The series follows Barney and Norma, the newest employees at their local theme park, Phoenix Parks. Joined by Pugsley, Barney's childhood dog, and Courtney, a thousand-year-old demon, they discover the world of the Paranormal and learn a few new things about themselves.
LGBTQ+ rep: Trans Men, Queer Men
Genre: Animation, Fantasy, Adventure
Starring: Zach Barack, Kody Kavitha, Emily Osment, Alex Brightman
Creators: Hamish Steele
Rating: 12A
Episode Run Time: 30m
3. HALF BAD: THE BASTARD SON & THE DEVIL HIMSELF (2022)
Caught between two warring clans, the son of a notorious witch tries to find his place in the world. After being discovered as an illegitimate son of the "World's Most Dangerous Blood Witch", Nathan Byrne was quietly monitored for the first 16 years of his life out of fear he'd turn out like his father. However, as the conflict between the Blood Witches and the Fairborn Witches escalates, Nathan finds himself the target of a modern-day witch hunt.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men
Genre: Fantasy, Drama
Starring: Jay Lycurgo, Nadia Parkes, Paul Ready
Creators: Joe Barton
Rating: 15
Episode Run Time: 60m
4. FIRST KILL (2022)
Falling in love is tricky for teens Juliette and Calliope: One's a vampire, the other's a vampire hunter and both are ready to make their first kill. In FIRST KILL, Sixteen-year-old vampire Juliette Fairmont needs to make her first kill in order to enter adulthood and take her place among her powerful family of Legacy vampires. Calliope, who belongs to a monster-hunting family, needs to slay her first monster in order to gain her family's approval. As both families become unavoidably involved, and Juliette and Calliope's relationship develops, the girls realize that killing each other is not so simple.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Women
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Starring: Sarah Catherine Hook, Imani Lewis, Elizabeth Mitchell
Creators: V.E. Schwab
Rating: 15
Episode Run Time: 60m
5. THE BISEXUAL (2018)
From the team that brought you APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR and THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST comes THE BISEXUAL - a British comedy-drama series following an Iranian-American woman called Leila after a recent breakup with her long-term girlfriend. Having come to the realisation that she's bisexual, Leila has left her girlfriend/business partner Sadie and moved in with Gabe, a neurotic novelist who is having relationship problems of his own. Gabe doesn't know many lesbians and Leila hasn't got much experience hanging out with heterosexuals. Perfect for people searching for some messy bisexual representation.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Women
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Starring: Desiree Akhavan, Maxine Peake, Brian Gleeson
Director: Desiree Akhavan
Rating: 15
Episode Run Time: 40m
6. UNCOUPLED (2022)
In UNCOUPLED, Michael's life seemed to be perfect... that is until his long-term partner blindsides him by leaving after 17 years of being in long time relationship. As he adjusts to being single in his late 40s, he discovers that the gay dating scene has changed while he was in a relationship, and he rapidly realizes that in order to not be single forever, he must take action.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Starring: Neil Patrick Harris, Tisha Campbell, Brooks Ashmakskas
Creators: Jeffrey Richman, Darren Starr
Rating: 15
Episode Run Time: 30m
7. QUEER AS FOLK (UK) (1999-2000)
QUEER AS FOLK is a 1999 British television series that follows the lives of three gay men living in Manchester's gay village around Canal Street. Initially running for eight episodes, a two-part follow-up was shown in 2000. The series later inspired an American adaptation of the show under the same name which ran for five seasons between 2000, to August 7, 2005. A more contemporary American reboot was also released on Peacock in 2022
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men
Genre: Drama
Starring: Aiden Gillen, Charlie Hunnam, Craig Kelly
Creators: Russell T. Davies
Rating: 18
Episode Run Time: 48m
8. HEARTSTOPPER (2022 - present)
Adapted from the webcomic and graphic novel of the same name by Alice Oseman, HEARTSTOPPER is a British coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama series on Netflix. The series primarily tells the story of Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), a gay schoolboy who falls in love with classmate Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), whom he sits next to in his new form. It also explores the lives of Tao (William Gao), Elle (Yasmin Finney), Tara (Corinna Brown) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell). Series 2 is set to be released later this year.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men, Queer Women, Trans Women
Genre: Drama, Romance
Starring: Joe Locke, Kit Connor, Yasmin Finney
Creators: Alice Oseman
Rating: 12A
Episode Run Time: 30m
9. WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS (2018)
WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS is an Australian television comedy series that follows the adventures of best friends Penny and Mia and their housemate Austin as they plunder through their early twenties in the hyper-divisive, socio-political hellscape of modern-day, leaving a path of destruction in their wake.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men, Queer Women
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Starring: Naomi Higgins, Olivia Junkeer, Wil King
Creators: Naomi Higgins, Mark Samual Bonanno
Rating: 18
Episode Run Time: 23m
10. THE SANDMAN (2022 - present)
THE SANDMAN is an American fantasy drama series based on the comic book of the same name written by Neil Gaiman following the story of Dream/Morpheus. Upon escaping after decades of imprisonment by a mortal wizard, Dream, the personification of dreams, sets about to reclaim his lost equipment. The series stars Tom Sturridge as the title character, with Boyd Holbrook, Vivienne Acheampong and Patton Oswalt in supporting roles. The series sports a diverse queer cast of characters and is set to release it's second season in 2023.
LGBTQ+ rep: LGBTQ+ Cast, Non-Binary & Genderfluid, Queer Women, Queer Men
Genre: Fantasy, Drama
Starring: Tom Sturridge, Boyd Holbrook, Vivienne Acheampong, Patton Oswalt
Creators: Neil Gaiman
Rating: 18
Episode Run Time: 45m
11. SMILEY (2022)
SMILEY is a Spanish rom-com following a slow-burn romance between two men in the city of Barcelona. Barman, Álex, has just been left by the man he's fallen for and sends him an angry voice message... but the voicemail is sent to the wrong number and an architect called Bruno receives it instead. The mistake causes the two to meet and what begins as a date ends up having greater significance.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men, Queer Women
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Starring: Carlos Cuevas, Miki Esparbé, Meritxell Calvo, Brian McGovern
Creators: Guillem Clua
Rating: 15
Episode Run Time: 36m
12. KIPO AND THE AGE OF THE WONDERBEAST (2020)
Probably one of the best cartoons to come out last year, Kipo (Karen Fukuhara) is a burrow girl exploring a post-apocalyptic surface world where animals talk and monsters rule the land. From the vibrant colour to the killer soundtrack, the largely BAME cast to the queer undertones running throughout, KIPO AND THE AGE OF THE WONDERBEASTS is a real treat for all ages. I can not stress this enough THIS SHOW IS SO DAMN GOOD.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Starring: Karen Fukuhara, Sydney Mikayla, Coy Stewart
Creators: Redford Sechrist, Bill Wolkoff
Rating: PG
Episode Run Time: 24m
13. GINNY & GEORGIA (2021 - present)
GINNY & GEORGIA is an American comedy-drama series following Ginny Miller, an angsty fifteen-year-old who often feels more mature than her thirty-year-old mother, Georgia. The series follows their lives as they move to a beautiful New England town in Massachusetts to start afresh after their father's untimely death. The show has several prominent queer characters and treats their storylines incredibly well.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Women, Queer Men
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Starring: Antonia Gentry, Brianne Howey, Sara Waisglass
Creator: Sarah Lampert
Rating: 15
Episode Run Time: 60m
14. MASTER OF NONE: MOMENTS IN LOVE (SEASON 3) (2021)
The third season of MASTER OF NONE is a five-episode season, focusing on Lena Waithe's character Denise, and her wife Alicia played by Naomi Ackie. MASTER OF NONE PRESENTS: MOMENTS IN LOVE is a departure from the first two seasons with a much slower pace and a mature, cinematic feel, but avid viewers of the slow-burn series will be rewarded with a payoff that's well worth the wait.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Women
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Starring: Lena Waithe, Naomi Ackie, Aziz Ansari
Creator: Aziz Ansari
Rating: 15
Episode Run Time: 20-60m
15. FEEL GOOD (2020-2021)
Written and starring comedian Mae Martin, FEEL GOOD is a romantic comedy-drama following recovering addict and comic Mae and their new girlfriend George. With a truly fantastic script and brilliant acting performances from the entire cast, FEEL GOOD tackles addiction, queer relationships, gender identity and past trauma with heart and humour.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Women, Non-Binary
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Starring: Mae Martin, Charlotte Ritchie, Phil Burgers
Creators: Mae Martin, Joe Hampson
Rating: 15
Episode Run Time: 30 minutes
16. AJ AND THE QUEEN (2020)
AJ AND THE QUEEN is a ten-episode adventure-comedy following down-on-her-luck drag queen Ruby Red as she who travels across America from club to club in a rundown 1986 RV. Joining Ruby is AJ, a recently orphaned, tough-talking, scrappy ten-year-old stowaway. As the two misfits travel from city to city, Ruby's message of love and acceptance winds up touching people and changing their lives for the better. Perfect for fans of RuPaul's Drag Race
LGBTQ+ Rep: Queer Men
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Starring: RuPaul, Izzy G, Michael-Leon Wooley
Creators: Michael Patrick King, RuPaul
Rating: 15
Episode Run time: 52 minutes
17. MERLÍ. SAPERE AUDE (2019-2021)
MERLÍ. SAPERE AUDE follows Pol Rubio as he starts to study Philosophy at the University of Barcelona while the relationship between Bruno and him begins to strengthen. Pol will meet new friends, new colleagues and new teachers apart from having to face conflicts in his new student stage, his complicated family and his new relationship with Bruno Bergeron in this way until becoming a Philosophy teacher.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Starring: Carlos Cuevas, María Pujalte, Pablo Capuz
Creator: Héctor Lozano
Rating: TV-MA
Episode Run Time: 50m
18. Q-FORCE (2021)
Q-FORCE is a queer animated comedy satire of the spy genre following former rising star Steve Maryweather and his team of undervalued LGBT super-spies. Along with master-of-disguise Twink, mechanic Deb, hacker Stat and token straight man Buck, the team must try to prove themselves on personal and professional adventures.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men, Queer Women
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Adult
Starring: Sean Hayes, Matt Rogers, Wanda Sykes, Patti Harrison
Creators: Gabe Liedman
Rating: 15
Episode Run Time: 30m
19. HEARTBREAK HIGH (2022 - present)
After a graffiti map detailing the sexual exploits of Hartley High's students is discovered on the wall of the school, all of the students whose names were on it are forced to attend a new sex education class. The map's creator, Amerie, becomes a social outcast after taking the fall for its co-author, Harper, who has stopped talking to her following a tragedy at a music festival they attended. Season two of HEARTBREAK HIGH is set to come out in the near-future.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Women, Non-Binary, Queer Men, Asexual Men
Genre: Teen Drama, Comedy, Romance
Starring: Ayesha Madon, James Majoos, Chloe Hayden, Gemma Chua-Tran, Asher Yasbincek, Will McDonald
Creators: Hannah Carroll Chapman
Rating: 15
Episode Run Time: 50m
20. IT'S A SIN (2011)
The critically acclaimed IT'S A SIN is a television drama series from the mind of Russel T. Davies. The show follows a group of gay men who move to London in the 1980s during the fast-developing HIV/AIDS crisis in the United Kingdom. Over five episodes the group are shown living through an entire decade, as they become determined to live fiercely despite the threat HIV poses to them. The Film also includes an incredible 80s soundtrack including The Pet Shop Boys, Kate Bush, Blondie, Erasure and Culture Club.
LGBTQ+ rep: Queer Men
Genre: Historical, Comedy, Drama
Starring: Olly Alexander, Omari Douglas, Lydia West, Callum Scott Howell
Creator: Russell T. Davies
Rating: 15
Episode Run Time: 58m
That's it, that's all 20.
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