Freesat’s favourite LGBTQ+ TV Shows

We're counting down Freesat's top LGBTQ+ TV shows in celebration of Pride Month this June, so get ready to bump these shows to the top of your list and let us know on our socials which show was your favourite!

01/06/2023

Naked Attraction on Channel 4HD

'Rogue choice, but lots of dating shows seem to just throw in a queer couple to fill a quota, whereas Naked Attraction centres around a diversity of genders and sexualities without it being a token effort. It’s also great for body shapes, different ages, race, nationality etc. Diversity done well!'

- Bea Larrington-Spencer, Marketing and Consumer Communications Executive

Our Flag Means Death on BBC iPlayer

'It unfolds wonderfully from a pirate story into so many people’s personal journeys. So good we’ve already binged a second watch this year!'

- Ben Skidmore, Test Lab Manager

Pose on BBC iPlayer

‘It's set in 1988 New York City with a focus on the 'ballroom' scene, (predominately disenfranchised black and latino LGBTQ dancers that compete with one another) i.e. the origin for Madonna's 'Vogue'. It shows us the hopes and dreams of a group of friends at the height of the AIDs crisis, but through all the hardship there's fun, glamour and the heart of it all shines through. It has the biggest cast of trans actors cast for a scripted series and it's so wonderful to see the stories of a community that are often overlooked, and actually played by actors part of that community.’

- Adam Woolhouse, Product Manager

‘Favourite character – Bianca, the Mother of her house.

Pose is great TV, entertaining with real and heart-warming storylines. The show also gives visibility to a diverse cast, as leading roles and characters are played by Black and Latinx trans and gay people. The show is set in 1980s New York, it gives great insight into the origin of many phrases and concepts heard and seen on TV today, that were popularised from the ballroom scene that the show is based around. Think Vogue & “10s, 10s, 10s…across the board!”'

- Megan Wilson, Data Insights Manager

Schitt’s Creek on Netflix

‘Schitt’s Creek is the ultimate feel-good sitcom about a family brought together by hard times, only to come out the other side closer than ever. Its effortlessly cheery plot acted as the perfect anecdote to the lockdown blues, during a time I also found myself living back with my family.’

- Thomas Reed, Senior PR Executive

Heartstopper, Netflix

'Heartstopper is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Alice Oseman. It follows Charlie, a gay teenager who falls for the popular boy at school who (spoiler) is also questioning his own sexuality. Along with their group of friends, it’s a heartwarming coming-of-age romance with a refreshingly uncomplicated depiction of queer romance. An easy addition to my comfort shows list!'

- Isabelle Grimshaw, Senior SEO & Editorial Executive

Sex Education, Netflix

'It would be so easy to write off Sex Education as just another teen show, but this one really feels different from what we’ve all seen before. Not only is it genuinely educational about all types of sexualities, issues of consent and relationships, but its packed with a huge array of well-fleshed out characters on the brink of adulthood who are working out who they are, which of course includes sexual orientation. From lesbian relationships to bisexual and asexual characters there’s plenty of LGBTQ+ characters to choose from, but Eric (played by Ncuti Gatwa) is my personal favourite. He’s a character who is openly gay and radiates pure joy, has some seriously wonderful style and a supportive religious family (his storyline with his dad gave me all the feels). Plus to have all of this set in a UK-meets-American-high-school environment, Sex Education flips the old teen sitcom tropes on their head for a genuinely thoughtful and funny show about sex, relationships and growing up.'

- Isabelle Grimshaw, Senior SEO & Editorial Executive

Grand Army on Netflix

'Most teen dramas these days tend to gloss over serious subjects, but not Grand Army. Set in Brooklyn, New York, the series follows five students Joey Del Marco, Dom Pierre, Sid Pakam, Jayson Jackson, and Leila Kwan Zimmer as each of them deal with various hardships, including rape culture, racism, sexual identity, bullying, violence, and terrorism. Adapted from the play by Katie Cappiello back in 2013, the characters are based on true stories from her real life students.'

- Nicole Russell, Senior Content Marketing Executive

Gentleman Jack, Prime Video & BBC iPlayer

'Based on the real diaries of Anne Lister, a middle-class landowner in in the early 19th century who kept extensive, encoded diaries on everything from her adventures to her romantic relationships with women, Gentleman Jack shows a character who lived her life as a relatively open lesbian before lesbians were publicly acknowledged. Plus, thanks to Lister’s clever and witty personality, Sally Wainwright’s fantastic script and Suranne Jones’ performance, the TV adaptation is a rare celebratory depiction of historical LGBTQ+ people.'

- Isabelle Grimshaw, Senior SEO & Editorial Executive

Banana on E4

'This 2015 Russell T. Davis series is the sister show of Channel 4’s Cucumber and documentary series Tofu, based on the LGBTQ+ youth in Manchester. According to Davis, the trilogy celebrates the "fifty shades of gay" and all three are a must watch to get the full effect!'

- Michelle Wilding-Baker, Head of Digital

Killing Eve on BBC iPlayer

'Stylish, funny and thrilling, it’s the two characters at the core of Killing Eve – Eve and Villanelle – and their sexually charged, passionate and dangerous relationship which makes the show so irresistible. I can’t say that their relationship is exactly what you’d expect, but they’re without a doubt obsessed with each other, and their unusual dynamic makes for some seriously good telly.'

- Isabelle Grimshaw, Senior SEO & Editorial Executive

I Am Not Okay With This on Netflix

'I Am Not Okay With This deals with similar themes we’ve seen before – a young outcast with telekinetic powers set in a high school reminiscent of the 70s and 80s but with technology of the modern day. Along with this reimagining of the past comes a strong representation of LGBTQ+ themes, with the main character attempting to figure out her sexual identity, all the while dealing with her newfound powers. It isn't one to miss for fans of Matilda, The Breakfast Club, Stranger Things, or Yes God Yes.'

- Nicole Russell, Senior Content Marketing Executive

It’s a Sin on Channel 4

'Set in 1980s London just as the AIDs crisis was starting to hit the news, It’s a Sin is as heart-wrenching as it is joyous, showing both the fear surrounding AIDs at the time and the tragic way gay men were treated, as well the wild and euphoric gay nightlife and culture of London. It’s a rare show where AIDs is shown for the devastating tragedy it was without overwhelming the actual characters at the heart of the show, who stand out more brightly against the political backdrop as real and vibrant people living their lives as they like rather than conduit cautionary tales. La!'

- Isabelle Grimshaw, Senior SEO & Editorial Executive

Want to find out more about the history of LGBTQ+ people in the film industry? Check out a short history of LGBTQ+ cinema which dives into queer coding, significant milestones in LGBTQ+ cinema and the Hays code of 1934 which prohibited homosexuality from film.