Television - LGBT and gay theme
by ausrick | created - 25 Sep 2011 | updated - 03 Aug 2019 | PublicA list of popular LGBT and gay theme tv-shows. Join the discussion to recommend others.
I keep a separate list of favourite gay theme feature films, including made for tv movies and a list for short films.
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1. Queer as Folk (1999–2000)
TV-MA | 48 min | Comedy, Drama
A groundbreaking gay adult drama which chronicles the lives of Stuart and Vince, as well as 15-year-old Nathan, who is in love with Stuart.
Stars: Aidan Gillen, Craig Kelly, Charlie Hunnam, Denise Black
Votes: 7,608
The original UK version comprising 10 episodes over 2 seasons. In my collection on DVD.
2. Queer as Folk (2000–2005)
TV-MA | 47 min | Drama, Romance
Brash humor and genuine emotion make up this series revolving around the lives, loves, ambitions, careers and friendships of a group of gay men and women living on Liberty Avenue in contemporary Pittsburgh, PA.
Stars: Gale Harold, Hal Sparks, Randy Harrison, Michelle Clunie
Votes: 22,445
Based on the UK version, the US Queer as Folk went for 5 seasons and included many great moments. In my collection on DVD.
3. Angels in America (2003)
TV-MA | 59 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Several disparate but connected individuals go through the AIDS crisis in the mid-1980s.
Stars: Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Mary-Louise Parker
Votes: 29,772
Based on a play of the same name, this is a not to be missed 6 hour mini-series. In my collection on DVD.
4. Six Feet Under (2001–2005)
TV-MA | 60 min | Comedy, Drama
A chronicle of the lives of a dysfunctional family who run an independent funeral home in Los Angeles.
Stars: Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose
Votes: 149,289
Whilst not primarily a LGBT show, one of the lead characters throughout the 5 seasons, David Fisher has been cited as the first realistic portrayal of a gay lead male character on television and is popularly regarded as one of the most beloved characters of the series. In my collection on DVD.
5. Will & Grace (1998–2020)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Romance
Gay lawyer Will and straight interior designer Grace share a New York City apartment. Their best friends are gleeful and proud gay Jack and charismatic, filthy-rich, amoral socialite Karen.
Stars: Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Megan Mullally, Sean Hayes
Votes: 60,271
8 wonderful seasons. I still enjoy W&G weekends where I relive some of the magical moments. In my collection on DVD.
6. The L Word (I) (2004–2009)
TV-MA | 50 min | Drama, Romance
Follows the lives and loves of a small, close-knit group of lesbian women living in Los Angeles as well as the friends and family members that either support or loathe them.
Stars: Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey, Laurel Holloman, Mia Kirshner
Votes: 28,736
7. Noah's Arc (2005–2006)
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Explore the daily lives of Noah, Alex, Ricky, and Chance, four African-American gay men in Los Angeles, through their relationships with their friends and lovers.
Stars: Darryl Stephens, Rodney Chester, Christian Vincent, Doug Spearman
Votes: 1,338
8. Fingersmith (2005)
Not Rated | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Romance
In Victorian England, Sue, a young thief, participates in a scam to defraud a rich heiress by becoming her maid. Things take an unexpected turn and Sue's plan goes horribly wrong.
Stars: Elaine Cassidy, Sally Hawkins, Imelda Staunton, Rupert Evans
Votes: 9,609
9. Tales of the City (1993)
Unrated | 60 min | Drama, Mystery, Romance
The stories of several colorful characters living in San Francisco.
Stars: Olympia Dukakis, Donald Moffat, Chloe Webb, Laura Linney
Votes: 4,324
10. More Tales of the City (1998)
TV-MA | 330 min | Drama, Romance
In this sequel to the controversial PBS mini-series, Mona Ramsey is on a cross-country trip that takes her to a brothel which may hold a secret about her past. Michael "Mouse" Tolliver and ... See full summary »
Stars: Olympia Dukakis, Laura Linney, Colin Ferguson, Barbara Garrick
Votes: 1,958
11. Further Tales of the City (2001–2002)
TV-MA | 180 min | Drama, Mystery, Romance
This third installment to "Tales of the City" finds Mary Ann Singleton struggling to advance in her new career as a TV personality, while Michael Tolliver is playing the field after his ... See full summary »
Stars: Olympia Dukakis, Paul Hopkins, Laura Linney, Barbara Garrick
Votes: 1,643
12. Tipping the Velvet (2002)
59 min | Drama, Romance
The story of Nan Astley who falls in love with three different women on her journey to stardom and happiness in 1887 Victorian England.
Stars: Rachael Stirling, Keeley Hawes, Jodhi May, Alexei Sayle
Votes: 8,594
13. Dante's Cove (2004–2007)
TV-MA | Drama, Horror, Mystery
A young gay couple must overcome dark, mystical forces conspiring against them, starting with a vengeful 19th century witch and her cheating warlock fiance.
Stars: William Gregory Lee, Gregory Michael, Tracy Scoggins, Charlie David
Votes: 2,318
3 seasons. IC-DVD
14. Rick & Steve the Happiest Gay Couple in All the World (2007–2009)
TV-MA | 322 min | Animation, Comedy
Welcome to the gayest of gay ghettos, West Lahunga Beach, where Rick and Steve make their fabulously decorated double-income-no-kids home. That is until Rick's lifelong lesbian friend ... See full summary »
Stars: Will Matthews, Peter Paige, Wilson Cruz, Alan Cumming
Votes: 1,018
15. The Big Gay Sketch Show (2006–2010)
Comedy
A sketch-comedy series featuring a cast of up-and-coming comics performing live skits, musical numbers and political satire.
Stars: Nicol Paone, Kate McKinnon, Julie Goldman, Stephen Guarino
Votes: 461
16. Queer Eye (2003–2007)
TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Reality-TV
Five gay men try to improve the lives and confidence of straight men by giving them makeovers and advice.
Stars: Ted Allen, Carson Kressley, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia
Votes: 2,536
17. The A-List: New York (2010–2011)
Reality-TV
They're stacked, packin', fierce and ambitious! Logo's much buzzed about docu-reality series, follows members of New York's gay elite plus their families, best girlfriends, and pocket dogs ... See full summary »
Stars: Reichen Lehmkuhl, Derek Lloyd Saathoff, Ryan Nickulas, Mike Ruiz
Votes: 330
18. The Lair (2007–2009)
TV-MA | 30 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery
The Lair is a private gay club run by vampires, who use the club as a source for attractive young men to feed from. Thom, a local journalist in the small island town begins digging into the... See full summary »
Stars: David Shae, Colton Ford, Brian Nolan, Peter Stickles
Votes: 880
19. The DL Chronicles (2005– )
TV-MA | 30 min | Drama, Romance
The DL Chronicles is a series of short stories about men of color who lead double sex lives. Episode; Wes introduces us to Wes Thomas, an upwardly mobile real estate banker who is ... See full summary »
Stars: Damian Toofeek Raven, Sheilynn Wactor, T. Ashanti Mozelle, Colbert Alembert
Votes: 294
20. Exes & Ohs (2007–2011)
Comedy
Michelle Paradise stars as Jennifer, a documentary filmmaker with an active imagination and a shaky career. Jen wants to find Ms. Right but first she must navigate the rules of lesbian life... See full summary »
Stars: Michelle Paradise, Marnie Alton, Angela Featherstone, Megan Cavanagh
Votes: 491
21. Shirts & Skins (2008– )
TV-MA | 30 min | Reality-TV
A reality series that follows the players from San Francisco's star gay basketball team on and off the court.
Stars: John Amaechi, Sheryl Swoopes, Jay White, Pete Hannibal
Votes: 18
22. Anyone But Me (2008– )
Short, Comedy, Drama
When 16-year-old Vivian is forced to move and leave her girlfriend behind in NYC, she struggles with her sexual identity as she tries to fit into her new suburban neighborhood. (Short Form Series)
Stars: Rachael Hip-Flores, Nicole Pacent, Jessy Hodges, Alexis Slade
Votes: 1,155
23. Chris & John's Road Trip! (2005– )
24 min | Comedy, Reality-TV
'Chris & John's ROAD TRIP!' chronicles the crazy antics of culture aficionados and OUTtv personalities Chris & John as they travel from city to city on a summer-long road trip adventure.
Stars: Chris Carter, John Simpson, Christopher Miniaci, Adam Kane
Votes: 23
24. Chris & John to the Rescue! (2006– )
24 min | Comedy, Reality-TV
Best friends and self-proclaimed "culture aficionados" Chris and John come to the rescue of those in need of the duo's unique services.
Stars: Chris Carter, John Simpson, Brian Doyle, Anthony Parente
Votes: 42
25. Fire Island (1999– )
Documentary
Follow the real lives and loves of two summer-share households one gay male, the other lesbian on New York's Fire Island.
Star: Stephen Fry
Votes: 30
26. Transamerican Love Story (2008– )
Reality-TV
A competition dating series starring trans-gender artist Calpernia Addams and hosted by comedian-actor Alec Mapa.
Stars: Calpernia Addams, Alec Mapa, Andrea James, Jim Howley
Votes: 57
27. Coming Out Stories (2006– )
30 min | Reality-TV
Chris is the respected mayor of West Sacramento who at age 40 is now coming out at his annual State of the City address. Xavior is a counselor at a gay rights organization in Harlem but his... See full summary »
Stars: Feloni, Daniel Sassa
Votes: 45
28. The House of Venus Show (2005– )
Comedy, Music
"The House of Venus Show" is a half-hour variety show featuring comedic sketches, interviews and musical numbers. The show entertains by cleverly spoofing social and political phenomena and... See full summary »
Stars: Mark Kenneth Woods, Cotton, Michael Venus, Dickey Doo
Votes: 146
29. The Line of Beauty (2006)
177 min | Drama, Romance
A young man becomes attached to a family that's not his own, and casts himself into the life of plentiful riches and gay love affairs for which he seems destined.
Stars: Dan Stevens, Tim McInnerny, Hayley Atwell, Alice Krige
Votes: 1,909
30. Cambridge Spies (2003)
235 min | Drama, History
The true story of a group of Cambridge University Students who are recruited to spy for the Soviet Union in the early 1930s.
Stars: Tom Hollander, Toby Stephens, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samuel West
Votes: 2,205
31. Glee (2009–2015)
TV-PG | 44 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
A group of ambitious misfits try to escape the harsh realities of high school by joining a glee club headed by a passionate Spanish teacher.
Stars: Lea Michele, Jane Lynch, Matthew Morrison, Cory Monteith
Votes: 155,421
32. Skins (2007–2013)
TV-MA | 46 min | Drama
The story of a group of British teens who are trying to grow up and find love and happiness despite questionable parenting and teachers who would rather be friends (and lovers) than authority figures.
Stars: Kaya Scodelario, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Dempsie, Hannah Murray
Votes: 93,046
33. BoysTown (2008– )
TV-MA | 45 min | Drama
Welcome to BoysTown! A modern gay episodic drama about friendship, sex and relationships exploring the everyday lives of 8 friends and lovers. A cross between a gay Desperate Housewives and... See full summary »
Stars: J. Hunter Ackerman, Albertossy Espinoza, Jim Patneaude, Ricky Reidling
Votes: 224
34. RuPaul's Drag Race (2009– )
TV-14 | 63 min | Game-Show, Reality-TV
RuPaul searches for America's next drag superstar.
Stars: RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Ross Mathews, Jason Carter
Votes: 23,374
35. Beautiful People (I) (2008–2009)
Comedy
The story of the flamboyant and ambitious 14-year-old Simon Doonan, who has dreams that stretch beyond his hometown of Reading.
Stars: Luke Ward-Wilkinson, Layton Williams, Olivia Colman, Aidan McArdle
Votes: 1,446
36. Old Dogs & New Tricks (2011–2020)
Comedy
Does (sex) life end for gay men as they face 50? Watch Nathan, Brad, Muscles & Ross stumble through middle-age in an alternate universe called West Hollywood.
Stars: Leon Acord, Curt Bonnem, Jeffrey Patrick Olson, David Pevsner
Votes: 173
37. Vicious (2013–2016)
TV-MA | 23 min | Comedy
Freddie Thornhill (Sir Ian McKellen) and Stuart Bixby (Sir Derek Jacobi) are an old gay couple who have been together for nearly fifty years. Their lives now revolve around entertaining their frequent guests and hurling insults at each other at every opportunity.
Stars: Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen, Frances de la Tour, Iwan Rheon
Votes: 9,673
38. Don't Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves (2012)
174 min | Drama
A story of love and death. Rasmus, 19, escapes to Stockholm and finds love in the religious Benjamin just as the AIDS epidemic hits the city's gay community.
Stars: Adam Lundgren, Adam Pålsson, Björn Kjellman, Simon J. Berger
Votes: 5,048
39. Looking (2014–2015)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Three best friends living in San Francisco share the nuances and complexities of contemporary gay relationships as they explore a variety of options, both in love and in life.
Stars: Jonathan Groff, Frankie J. Alvarez, Murray Bartlett, Lauren Weedman
Votes: 21,561
40. Sense8 (2015–2018)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
A group of people around the world are suddenly linked mentally, and must find a way to survive being hunted by those who see them as a threat to the world's order.
Stars: Bae Doona, Jamie Clayton, Tina Desai, Tuppence Middleton
Votes: 162,937
41. Skam (2015–2017)
Not Rated | 30 min | Drama, Romance
The story of young teenagers and pupils on Hartvig Nissens upper secondary school in Oslo, and their troubles, scandals and everyday life. Each season is told from a different person's point of view.
Stars: Josefine Frida Pettersen, Iman Meskini, Ulrikke Falch, Lisa Teige
Votes: 38,581
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