From Harley Quinn to Heartstopper, these are the 10 best LGBTQ+ shows of 2022, with details on where you can watch them.
LGBTQ+ media is still just as important than ever. It empowers members of the community by seeing themselves on screen, and it normalizes the community’s presence in society.
Thankfully, there have been numerous releases this year that portray LGBTQ+ people in a respectful, relatable way, and here’s a list to show you the best of the best. Be it a new show, or a new season, this list will cover multiple LGBTQ+ series that have come out – pardon the pun – this year.
Also, this list may contain spoilers, so proceed with caution!
Heartstopper – Season 1
Based on the graphic novels by Alice Oseman, this coming-of-age comedy series features teenagers Charlie and Nick as they tentatively try to build a relationship with one another. The series took the world by storm when it hit Netflix in April, and has been praised for depicting not only gay relationships, but bi, lesbian, and trans identities as well.
The cinematography is fun and colorful, giving the series a sense of youthful wonder, making it a perfect viewing experience if you are looking for a wholesome show about young love. And now’s the best time to start watching, as the show has already been renewed for a second and third season.
Heartstopper Season 1 is available on Netflix.
Young Royals – Season 2
Young Royals first came to Netflix in 2019, but a new season has recently just dropped. According to Netflix, the show’s plot is as follows: “Prince Wilhelm adjusts to life at his prestigious new boarding school, but following his heart proves move challenging than anticipated.”
While the story of a young prince attending a fancy boarding school may not be the most relatable of plots, the complicated romance between him and lower-class classmate Simon is… slightly more relatable, disregarding the fame that comes with it. The show also deals with issues like strained parental relationships and mental health, which many people struggle with.
Young Royals Seasons 1 & 2 are currently available to stream on Netflix.
Harley Quinn – Season 3
The Harley Quinn DC animated show isn’t exactly like other entries on this list, which may make it perfect for you. This explosive, hilarious, and violent series follows Harley Quinn after she dumps Joker and attempts to make a name for herself in the world of villainy.
The series slowly built the sexual tension between Harley and her best friend Poison Ivy, until finally the two of them fled Ivy and Kite Man’s wedding at the end of Season 2, vowing to stay together no matter what. And Season 3 has upped this ante, showing Ivy and Harley in their honeymoon period, or as they like to call it, their “Eat Bang Kill Tour” as “BFF-GFFs.”
Harley Quinn Seasons 1-3 are currently available to stream on HBO Max.
Rupaul’s Drag Race – All Stars 7
All Stars 7 was probably the most anticipated season of Rupaul’s Drag Race in its entire her-story. This drag reality competition features eight winners from previous seasons of the show, as they attempt to be crowned the ultimate Drag Race superstar.
It’s like watching the Gods fight on Olympus, and fans absolutely love it. This season has proven to be a lot more fun without any eliminations, and its Snatch Game episode is now the highest-rated Drag Race episode of all time on IMDb, with a 9.9 rating.
All Stars 7 is currently available to stream on HBO Max.
Our Flag Means Death – Season 1
Our Flag Means Death is one of Taika Waititi’s newest projects, and it’s just as good as his other directing stints. The comedy’s plot -which is loosely based on history – follows Stede Bonnet as he becomes the “Gentleman Pirate” and falls in love with the ferocious Blackbeard.
As the antithesis to queerbaiting – according to the Atlantic – there is never any question whether Stede and Blackbeard are attracted to one another, though their relationship does take a turn for the worst at the season’s end. Fans will have to pray that Season 2 reunites the pair.
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Our Flag Means Death Season 1 can currently be viewed on HBO Max.
Grace & Frankie – Final Season
Grace & Frankie, after becoming the longest-running show on Netflix, ended with its final series – Season 7 – in April. The show follows the title characters as they come to terms with the news that their respective husbands are in love with each other, and want to divorce their wives.
The series portrays how someone coming out may initially break apart a nuclear family, but it explores the topic with nuance and delightful humor. And it’s one of the few shows that portray older members of the LGBTQ+ community, which is always refreshing to see.
All seven seasons of Grace & Frankie are available to stream on Netflix.
The Owl House – Season 3
The Owl House is an animated fantasy series that provides both the laughs and the tears. Disney describes the plot as thus: “Luz, a self-assured teenage human girl, accidentally stumbles upon a portal to a magical new world where she befriends a rebellious witch, Eda, and an adorably tiny warrior, King.” Not onyl does Luz befriend these people, she also builds a romantic relationship with another witch, Amity.
Sadly, the show has been cut short, with the third season being its last, and only being given a limited amount of episodes for that season. Fans are incredibly disappointed, especially due to the controversy that the reason it was cancelled was due to its blatant LGBTQ+ representation. While it’s sadly the end of the Owl House, the series is definitely going to go out with a bang, as one of the best LGBTQ+ shows of 2022.
Owl House Seasons 1&2 are currently available to stream on Disney+. You can read our reviews of Season 3 here.
First Kill – Season 1
Enemies to sapphic lovers? Count us in! According to IMDb, the First Kill plot is as follows: “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.” Sadly the series has been cancelled after its first season, but it’s definitely still worth a watch.
First Kill is somewhat cheesy and reminiscent of the 2010s’ supernatural teen drama craze, but it’s updated just enough to avoid tasting like stale blood. And it also came out during Pride Month, meaning that vampires are officially LGBTQ+ culture now.
First Kill is currently available to stream on Netflix.
Legendary – Season 3
Ballroom culture is a large part of LGBTQ+ history, so it seemed inevitable that there would be a reality competition about it. In the show, as explained by Rotten Tomatoes, “voguing teams, called ‘Houses’ compete in dance challenges and showcase fashions for the chance to win a cash prize.”
There has been a recent controversy surrounding the show, with one Season 3 contestant, Aja Labeija – who is also of Drag Race fame – revealing in a Twitter post that no one was able to pick their own houses. But considering the show is still going strong after three seasons, it’s definitely worth watching.
Legendary Seasons 1, 2, and 3 can currently be viewed on HBO Max.
Euphoria – Season 2
Euphoria is one of the most popular shows of recent years, so it’s likely that you already know about it. But for those who don’t, Euphoria follows Rue – played by Zendaya – as she attempts to battle her drug addiction after meeting the new girl at school, Jules. However, Jules has baggage of her own.
While Jules and Rue’s relationship is arguably unhealthy for both of them, especially in Season 2, it does feel revolutionary to watch a non-straight, non-cis relationship at the center of a popular teen show. And while the second season hasn’t quite lived up to the first, it’s still just as iconic.
Euphoria Seasons 1 and 2 can currently be viewed on HBO Max.