TV Shows With Gay Lead Characters
by ksomnia | created - 22 Apr 2017 | updated - 30 Jul 2022 | Public- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. 13 Reasons Why (2017–2020)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Follows teenager Clay Jensen, in his quest to uncover the story behind his classmate and crush, Hannah, and her decision to end her life.
Stars: Dylan Minnette, Katherine Langford, Christian Navarro, Alisha Boe
Votes: 315,677
2. The Halcyon (2017)
60 min | Drama, War
The story of a bustling and glamorous five star hotel at the center of London society and a world at war.
Stars: Annabelle Apsion, Mark Benton, Jamie Blackley, Edward Bluemel
Votes: 3,104
3. Riverdale (2017–2023)
TV-14 | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
While navigating the troubled waters of romance, school and family, Archie and his gang become entangled in dark Riverdale mysteries.
Stars: Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, K.J. Apa
Votes: 155,247
4. 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: 38,632
5. Class (I) (2016)
TV-14 | 45 min | Drama, Sci-Fi
The sixth formers of Coal Hill Academy all have their own secrets and desires. They have to deal with the stresses of everyday life including friends, parents, school work, sex, and sorrow, but also the horrors that come from time travel.
Stars: Katherine Kelly, Greg Austin, Jordan Renzo, Fady Elsayed
Votes: 4,507
6. Eyewitness (2014)
59 min | Crime, Drama
Two 15 year old boys secretly meet up in the forest, only to witness a blood bath. They are seen, but escape trying to keep this as a secret, both in fear of the perpetrator and that their secret is revealed.
Stars: Axel Bøyum, Anneke von der Lippe, Odin Waage, Per Kjerstad
Votes: 1,774
7. Barracuda (2016)
60 min | Drama, Sport
Danny, a talented swimmer who dreams of winning gold at the Olympic games, is given a sports scholarship to a prestigious Melbourne private school. At school he receives his fair share of harassment from the more privileged students.
Stars: Elias Anton, Matt Nable, Ben Kindon, Victoria Haralabidou
Votes: 1,348
8. The Real O'Neals (2016–2017)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Musical
A family's bond is strengthened when the youngest son tells his parents that he's gay.
Stars: Martha Plimpton, Jay R. Ferguson, Noah Galvin, Matt Shively
Votes: 6,158
9. Crashing (2016)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
A comedy series following the lives of six 20- and 30-somethings living together as property guardians of a large, disused hospital.
Stars: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Jonathan Bailey, Julie Dray, Louise Ford
Votes: 26,170
10. Shadowhunters (2016–2019)
TV-14 | 42 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
After her mother disappears, Clary must venture into the dark world of demon hunting, and embrace her new role among the Shadowhunters.
Stars: Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, Matthew Daddario
Votes: 70,603
11. Merlí (2015–2018)
TV-MA | 58 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Meet the renegade philosophy teacher who's not afraid to speak his mind and break the rules to revolutionize his students' lives, including the son he barely knows and a student with a severe social phobia.
Stars: Francesc Orella, Pere Ponce, Carlos Cuevas, Marta Marco
Votes: 9,909
12. This Life (2015– )
TV-PG | 44 min | Drama
Set in contemporary Montreal, This Life is a family saga focusing on Natalie Lawson, an accomplished columnist and single mother in her early forties whose terminal cancer diagnosis sends ... See full summary »
Stars: Torri Higginson, Lauren Lee Smith, Rick Roberts, Kristopher Turner
Votes: 228
13. London Spy (2015)
60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A chance romance between two men from very different worlds, one from the headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service, the other from a world of clubbing and youthful excess, leads into mystery after one of them is found murdered.
Stars: Ben Whishaw, Edward Holcroft, Jim Broadbent, Zrinka Cvitesic
Votes: 10,394
14. Cuffs (2015)
60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A fresh, authentic and visceral drama that takes the audience on an exhilarating ride through the challenges of front-line policing.
Stars: Ashley Walters, Jacob Ifan, Peter Sullivan, Amanda Abbington
Votes: 1,927
15. Boy Meets Girl (2015–2016)
30 min | Comedy, Romance
Comedy series about a couple who find love across the transgender age gap.
Stars: Nigel Betts, Jonny Dixon, Janine Duvitski, Harry Hepple
Votes: 620
16. Grace and Frankie (2015–2022)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Finding out that their husbands are not just work partners, but have also been romantically involved for the last twenty years, two women with an already strained relationship try to cope with the circumstances together.
Stars: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sam Waterston, Martin Sheen
Votes: 57,084
17. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015–2019)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
A woman is rescued from a doomsday cult and starts life over again in New York City.
Stars: Ellie Kemper, Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, Carol Kane
Votes: 78,748
18. Schitt's Creek (2015–2020)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
After being a victim of fraud, Johnny Rose and his family go from extremely wealthy to penniless overnight. The only asset left to them is a small, unsophisticated town: Schitt's Creek. They relocate there. Culture shock ensues.
Stars: Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Dan Levy, Annie Murphy
Votes: 146,249
19. Banana (2015)
TV-MA | 24 min | Drama
Celebrate love without labels; join eight different couples on their journey of love, heartbreak, sex, and drama.
Stars: Fisayo Akinade, Freddie Fox, Vincent Franklin, Letitia Wright
Votes: 2,598
20. Cucumber (2015)
TV-MA | 50 min | Drama
Modern gay life in Manchester.
Stars: Vincent Franklin, Julie Hesmondhalgh, James Murray, Fisayo Akinade
Votes: 3,770
21. Glue (2014)
TV-14 | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
When the body of a local teenager was found behind the wheel of a tractor, the isolated villagers and their friends were forced to open up their world.
Stars: Yasmin Paige, Jordan Stephens, Billy Howle, Charlotte Spencer
Votes: 1,832
22. The 100 (2014–2020)
TV-14 | 43 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Set 97 years after a nuclear war destroyed civilization, when a spaceship housing humanity's lone survivors sends 100 juvenile delinquents back to Earth, hoping to repopulate the planet.
Stars: Eliza Taylor, Bob Morley, Marie Avgeropoulos, Isaiah Washington
Votes: 276,319
23. Faking It (2014–2016)
TV-14 | 21 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
After numerous attempts of trying to be popular two best friends decide to come out as lesbians, which launches them to instant celebrity status. Seduced by their newfound fame, Karma and Amy decide to keep up their romantic ruse.
Stars: Rita Volk, Katie Stevens, Gregg Sulkin, Bailey De Young
Votes: 15,199
24. 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: 21,591
25. In the Flesh (2013–2014)
TV-14 | 56 min | Comedy, Drama, Horror
Four years after the Rising, the government starts to rehabilitate the Undead for reentry into society, including teenager Kieren Walker, who returns to his small Lancashire village to face a hostile reception, as well as his own demons.
Stars: Luke Newberry, Harriet Cains, Marie Critchley, Steve Cooper
Votes: 13,933
26. A Place to Call Home (2013–2018)
Not Rated | 60 min | Drama
Sarah Adams returns to Australia post World War II to start anew. She begins working in a hospital, much to the dismay of Elizabeth Bligh, a wealthy matriarch.
Stars: Marta Dusseldorp, Noni Hazlehurst, Brett Climo, Craig Hall
Votes: 6,295
27. The Fosters (2013–2018)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
Teenager Callie Jacob is placed in a foster home with a lesbian couple and their blend of biological, adoptive, and foster children.
Stars: Teri Polo, Sherri Saum, Hayden Byerly, David Lambert
Votes: 30,730
28. The Carrie Diaries (2013–2014)
TV-14 | 42 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Carrie Bradshaw is in her junior year of high school in the early 1980s. She asks her first questions about love, sex, friendship and family while navigating the worlds of high school and Manhattan.
Stars: AnnaSophia Robb, Austin Butler, Ellen Wong, Katie Findlay
Votes: 28,965
29. Please Like Me (2013–2016)
TV-MA | 29 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Twenty something Josh is going through a number of big changes as he navigates his first decade of adulthood. After being dumped by his girlfriend, he comes to the realization that he is gay.
Stars: Josh Thomas, Thomas Ward, John, Debra Lawrance
Votes: 19,777
30. My Mad Fat Diary (2013–2015)
TV-MA | 47 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Set in the mid-90s at the height of Cool Britannia, a drama based on real diaries takes an honest look at teenage life through the eyes of funny, music-mad Rae
Stars: Ciara Baxendale, Dan Cohen, Jodie Comer, Darren Evans
Votes: 18,890
31. Shameless (2011–2021)
TV-MA | 60 min | Comedy, Drama
A scrappy, feisty, fiercely loyal Chicago family makes no apologies.
Stars: Emmy Rossum, William H. Macy, Ethan Cutkosky, Jeremy Allen White
Votes: 285,780
32. Teen Wolf (2011–2017)
TV-14 | 41 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
An average high school student and his best friend get caught up in some trouble causing him to receive a werewolf bite. As a result they find themselves in the middle of all sorts of dramas in Beacon Hills.
Stars: Tyler Posey, Holland Roden, Dylan O'Brien, Linden Ashby
Votes: 163,355
33. 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: 93,132
34. Dance Academy (2010–2013)
TV-PG | 24 min | Drama, Family, Music
Fifteen-year-old Tara Webster's dream of dancing comes true when she gets into a top dance academy. She soon realizes dancing is only half the battle.
Stars: Xenia Goodwin, Alicia Banit, Dena Kaplan, Jordan Rodrigues
Votes: 5,071
35. United States of Tara (2009–2011)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A woman struggles to find a balance between her dissociative identity disorder and raising a dysfunctional family.
Stars: Toni Collette, John Corbett, Rosemarie DeWitt, Keir Gilchrist
Votes: 25,192
36. Kings (2009)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Sci-Fi
A modern day, alternate-reality drama about a hero who rises to become the King of his nation, based on the biblical story of King David.
Stars: Ian McShane, Christopher Egan, Susanna Thompson, Allison Miller
Votes: 8,729
37. Physics or Chemistry (2008–2011)
75 min | Comedy, Drama
Following the lives of students in high school, dealing with drugs, their sexuality, and teen pregnancy.
Stars: Ana Milán, Andrea Duro, Javier Calvo, Angy Fernández
Votes: 1,802
38. Brothers & Sisters (2006–2011)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama
The story of the drama surrounding a family's adult siblings.
Stars: Dave Annable, Calista Flockhart, Rachel Griffiths, Ron Rifkin
Votes: 25,571
39. House Husbands (2012–2017)
45 min | Drama
The lives of four Australian men who are raising their children.
Stars: Firass Dirani, Rhys Muldoon, Gary Sweet, Julia Morris
Votes: 956
40. Degrassi: Next Class (2016–2017)
TV-PG | 30 min | Drama, Romance
Degrassi: Next Class follows the lives of the students from Degrassi Community School, a fictional high school in Toronto.
Stars: Na'ku'set Gould, Amanda Arcuri, Sara Waisglass, Ehren Kassam
Votes: 3,737
41. 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: 22,463
42. Rita (2012–2020)
TV-MA | 40 min | Comedy, Drama
Schoolteacher Rita is a very outspoken, rebellious woman who is competent in the classroom but needs her own advisor when it comes to her personal life.
Stars: Mille Dinesen, Lise Baastrup, Nikolaj Groth, Carsten Bjørnlund
Votes: 10,119
43. 6Degrees (2012–2015)
30 min | Drama
Six young people striving for answers as they move from youth to adulthood.
Stars: Ryan McParland, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, Cillian O'Sullivan, Jayne Wisener
Votes: 122
44. Heavenly Bonds (2013– )
42 min | Drama, Family
An outward-looking pastor and his four sons of age 10 to 22 try to live their life in accordance with their Christian faith and in so doing face challenges for their faith.
Stars: Simon Böer, Lukas Karlsch, Tom Hoßbach, Wilfried Dziallas
Votes: 79
45. Ainsi soient-ils (2012–2015)
TV-14 | 52 min | Drama
Political intrigue surrounding a Paris Capuchin monastery describes only one aspect of "Ainsi Soient-ils (Churchmen)".
Stars: Julien Bouanich, Samuel Jouy, Thierry Gimenez, Clément Manuel
Votes: 317
46. 4Jim (2015– )
Drama
The 19 year old dutch Jim has been diagnosed with cancer. After having undergone all possible treatments of which none cured him, he was given up. Together with his 5 friends, his ... See full summary »
Stars: Gijs Blom, Jonas Smulders, Sol Vinken, Sjeng Kessels
Votes: 63
47. Man in an Orange Shirt (2017)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
Tales of love across two films highlighting the very different challenges that face the couples, With Michael and Thomas just after WWII, and Adam and Steve in the present day.
Stars: Julian Morris, Vanessa Redgrave, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Charlie Wernham
Votes: 4,603
48. Striking Out (2017–2018)
Not Rated | 50 min | Drama
When Tara discovers that her fiancé and fellow lawyer, Eric, has been cheating on her with a colleague, she leaves him and his prestigious law firm to establish her own practice specializing in family law and divorce.
Stars: Amy Huberman, Rory Keenan, Emmet Byrne, Neil Morrissey
Votes: 2,170
49. Sex Education (2019–2023)
TV-MA | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A teenage boy with a sex therapist mother teams up with a high school classmate to set up an underground sex therapy clinic at school.
Stars: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey
Votes: 351,731
50. Big Boys (2022– )
24 min | Comedy, Drama
Shy, closeted Jack has spent the past year grieving for his father at home with his mum. But the time has come for him to take his place at uni.
Stars: Dylan Llewellyn, Jon Pointing, Camille Coduri, Jack Rooke
Votes: 3,856
Tell Your Friends