Best Queer TV Shows of 2021

In our current lockdown era, television has been a lifeline for countless viewers around the world.

Last year, we were distracted from the daily horrors of the coronavirus pandemic with several incredible LGBTQ+ offerings. Thankfully, 2021 looks like it will be one of the most prominent years for queer representation wwith the return of many fan-favourites, as well as some exciting new ones. Looking forward to the year ahead, we’ve collected the most highly-anticipated LGBTQ+ television shows of 2021.

Batwoman

When does it premiere? 17 January on The CW

Later this month, Javicia Leslie will make history as the first ever Black iteration of classic DC superhero Batwoman. The American actress, who’s best known for her two-season arc on the short-lived comedy-drama God Friended Me, will play the “likable, messy, a little goofy and untamed” Ryan Wilder, who will take over from Kate Kane/Batwoman. Original series lead Ruby Rose memorably quit the series last year, stating that her back injury on set was a contributing factor in her departure. However, Rose congratulated her successor on Instagram, writing: “OMG! This is amazing! I am so glad Batwoman will be played by an amazing Black woman. I want to congratulate Javicia Leslie on taking over the bat cape. You are walking into an amazing cast and crew. I can’t wait to watch season 2 you are going to be amazing!”

Pose

When does it premiere? TBA

According to Variety, the third season of Pose resumed production in October, meaning it’s highly likely to make a comeback on our screens this year – possibly around summer. Steven Canals, who created the series with Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, said the show will undergo some major changes in its format due to the social distancing measures in place to prevent to spread of the virus. “Things like kissing — we will likely forgo those moments. The place on our show where the biggest impact will be felt will be the ball scenes,” he revealed. “Those scenes have 125 to 150 background actors. That’s tricky, because that’s such an important and critical part of our show and the narrative. We’re just, only now, having conversations of ‘Is there a world where we forgo these things?’”

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK

When does it premiere? 14 January on BBC iPlayer

Premiering 14 January on BBC, the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will see the return of RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Graham Norton and Alan Carr, with Alan and Graham joining the panel on a rotational basis. It also boasts a star-studded line-up of guest judges including Dawn French, Gemma Collins, Jessie Ware, Jodie Harsh, Lorraine Kelly, Liz Hurley, Maya Jama, MNEK, Natalie Cassidy and Raven. To commemorate one of the most highly-anticipated instalments of RuPaul’s Drag Race in HERstory, we put all 12 fierce contestants of UK season two on our digital cover. Expect drama, conflama and, in the words of Ellie Diamond, “a cyclone of madness, like when Dorothy goes into her house to find Auntie Em and the window smashes her in the back of the head” – says it all really. ⁠You can read the interview here.

Sex Education

When does it premiere? TBA

The first two seasons of Sex Education received praise for the cast’s performances, tackling sensitive subjects and its diverse representation of the LGBTQ+ community, so a third season came as a surprise to no one, like, at all. So far, there’s no set date but it’s expected to debut on Netflix in the first quarter of 2021 like past instalments. In season three, the comedy is welcoming three new cast members. Jemima Kirke has been cast as a character called Hope, who will replace Michael Groff (Alistair Petrie) as Moordale’s new headmistress. Minnesota-based singer, songwriter and actor Dua Saleh will play Cal, a non-binary student who clashes with Hope, while Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs will join the Groff family as Peter Groff, the former headmaster’s “more successful/less modest” older brother.