The best queer TV of 2023 that made me say "slay" in a non derogatory way

gays and theys... we are eating at the moment

I’ve been reporting on queer representation on screen for long enough that I remember having to include shows with absolutely no queer actors, characters or storylines into these kinds of lists, purely because they felt vaguely camp or had a fabulous older woman involved.

No need anymore - there’s several shows that I didn’t include in this list but absolutely could have. There’s even more queer centric shows that I just didn’t get the chance to watch. There’s also some shows that feature queer characters in it - such as the excellent Deadloch - that I just didn’t have time to include. Honestly, amazing. We’re at the point where we can just judge these shows on whether or not they’re good shows, rather than beg for scraps.

That said - sapphic lead shows are still not valued as much, with several shows like Warrior Nun being cancelled recently. And, while we’re getting some good trans representation - honorable shout out to the new Doctor Who which I haven’t watched yet - we’re still not hitting trans led, trans written, shows. Something to look forward to.

Here are my notable picks.

Heartstopper s2

Where the first season of Heartstopper was an absolutely gorgeous queer romance that was allowed to be sweet as its main and only priority, season 2 was a little more nuanced by design. I’m not saying it decided to engage with homophobia and tragedy, but it does sit firmly in the consequences of season 1, mostly dealing with the turmoil of Nick Nelson’s coming out narrative. I thought it was done nicely - engaging with the idea of the world’s cruelty without puncturing that sweet bubble of joy from the first season. It was also one of the best depictions I’ve seen of the reality of being bisexual - namely, people policing how bisexuals should represent and perform their own sexuality.

Fellow Travellers

Look. I gotta say that I had a bit of trouble watching this mini-series because it asked me to engage with emotions beyond my desire or even capability, but I find both of these men so incredibly hot that I persevered. Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey are amazing actors and objectively this was a well told story too, I don’t want to just objectify them. But I’m also not above objectifying them.

RuPaul's Drag Race, Season 15

I come from a sports family, so I understand how sports fans speak about their team and the game in general. I can’t and won’t speak it myself, but it’s been useful in navigating the generally grumpy way that Drag Race fans interact with the show. Criticism is part of engaging with it, with loving it. Obviously there’s a problem with people taking this too far, but I think it’s a useful comparison.

So when a Drag Race season manages to remind me why I love this show deeply, I need to call it out and praise it. Sasha Colby is just a star, and watching her rise was deeply enjoyable. There were also several other queens who I thought were not just talented, but entertaining and fun. It wasn’t a perfect season, but it did entertain me.

Our Flag Means Death s2

I enjoyed this season a lot - I feel like it had a kind of Office US vibe to many of its episodes, with the boat becoming more of an opportunity for the various romantic tension to be explored. I think it wasn’t as tight as the first season, but still very funny and often very sweet. Rhys Darby is really giving us everything.

The Last of Us

The gay love story in episode three of this show, which I’ve already written about, got a lot of attention. The usual nerds and losers were up in arms, but plenty of people questioned the narrative role of the episode. It’s pretty simple - a truly beautifully crafted love story is an example of the stakes at play, that reminds us that this show is about what we choose to live for. What separates us from the mushroom zombies? They were very carefully showing us that this isn’t only an action thriller - it’s a drama, set during the end of the world. It’s the ONLY episode of TV I cried during this year (I just spent a lot of time crying in general).

The Newsreader s 1&2

I was super late to this show - I got it mixed up with Aaron Sorkin’s The Newsroom which I didn’t like. When I did finally get into it after season 2 came out, I was still sceptical, due to knowing that a large part of the plot revolved around a closeted bisexual navigating media in the 80s. Sounds traumatic and well trod ground and like a sliding doors version of my own life. I’m really only interested in people going in and out of the closet if they’re also going to and from Narnia.

But I adored this show - the shambolic depiction of a 1980s Melbourne newsroom, the historic references explored through the news, and the brilliant performances by Sam Reid and Anna Torv were such a pleasant surprise. And the queer heart of this show was expressed with nuance and tenderness, a very touching depiction of closeted yearning. Absolutely loved it.

Also I only just realised that Sam Reid played Lestat in Interview with the Vampire too, meaning I now officially have a massive crush on him.

Interview with the Vampire

Speaking of Sam Reid! I don’t know what it says about me, but the only queer love story I was truly invested in this year was the toxic vampire fuck fest from Interview with the Vampire. Everyone involved is really hot, really melancholy, and really violent, and I don’t know, it summarised queer culture for me this year. I though this vampire melodrama was so carefully done, and added a whole bunch to Anne Rice’s story and characters.

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Please let me know which shows I missed watching because I have some TIME - especially any wlm shows because I’m not thrilled about the sausage fest going on here.