20 Must-Watch TV Shows with LGBTQ+-Led Casts

These shows put LGBTQ+ characters and performers at the center of the story, spanning heartfelt coming-of-age tales, groundbreaking dramas, and reality phenomena. You will find series that spotlight queer communities, explore identity with care, and feature creatives who shaped television in meaningful ways. From landmark network hits to buzzy streaming favorites, each pick brings representation to the forefront in a way that shaped its era. Here are twenty titles that made a lasting mark while keeping LGBTQ+ leads in focus.

‘Pose’ (2018–2021)

Set in New York’s ballroom scene, ‘Pose’ follows house mothers, dancers, and friends building community during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The series features one of television’s largest casts of transgender actors in regular roles. It explores chosen family, HIV and AIDS activism, and the rise of ballroom culture. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals created the show for FX with leads including Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Billy Porter, and Indya Moore.

‘Heartstopper’ (2022– )

‘Heartstopper’ adapts Alice Oseman’s graphic novels about two British teens who form an unexpected romance at school. The cast centers queer and trans characters with storylines that cover friendship, mental health, and family support. The series films in the UK with principal leads Kit Connor and Joe Locke. It streams on Netflix and has expanded to include characters across a broader LGBTQ+ spectrum.

‘It’s a Sin’ (2021)

Set in 1980s London, ‘It’s a Sin’ follows a group of friends whose lives intersect during the early years of the HIV and AIDS crisis. Russell T Davies created the five-part drama for Channel 4 and HBO Max. The show highlights activism, stigma, and the impact of public health policies of the time. Leads include Olly Alexander, Lydia West, and Omari Douglas.

‘The L Word’ (2004–2009)

‘The L Word’ centers on a group of lesbian and bisexual friends living in Los Angeles. The Showtime series tracks relationships, careers, and community spaces that anchor the group’s daily lives. Primary cast members include Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moennig, and Leisha Hailey. The show’s setting includes the fictional café and social hubs that connect its ensemble across seasons.

‘The L Word: Generation Q’ (2019–2023)

This sequel continues the world of ‘The L Word’ with returning favorites and a new generation in Los Angeles. It brings trans, nonbinary, and queer characters to the forefront across careers, politics, and parenting. Filming primarily in California, the series airs on Showtime and streams on Paramount platforms in select regions. Returning leads appear alongside actors such as Arienne Mandi, Leo Sheng, and Jacqueline Toboni.

‘Looking’ (2014–2016)

‘Looking’ follows three friends navigating work and relationships in San Francisco. Created by Michael Lannan for HBO, it focuses on everyday dynamics within the city’s gay community. Jonathan Groff, Murray Bartlett, and Frankie J Alvarez lead the ensemble. The series concludes with a feature-length finale that ties up central character arcs.

‘Sense8’ (2015–2018)

‘Sense8’ links eight strangers from around the globe who find themselves mentally and emotionally connected. The Wachowskis and J Michael Straczynski created the series for Netflix with filming on multiple continents. LGBTQ+ characters are central to the narrative, including a trans woman played by Jamie Clayton. The show blends science fiction with themes of identity, empathy, and found family.

‘Orange Is the New Black’ (2013–2019)

Set in a women’s prison, ‘Orange Is the New Black’ builds an ensemble that includes lesbian, bisexual, and trans characters. Laverne Cox portrays a trans inmate whose storyline intersects with healthcare and family issues. The Netflix series adapts Piper Kerman’s memoir and spans multiple seasons with rotating focus episodes. It examines incarceration, class, and institutional systems through character-centered plots.

‘Schitt’s Creek’ (2015–2020)

‘Schitt’s Creek’ follows a wealthy family adjusting to life in a small town they once bought as a joke. The series centers a same-sex relationship that develops across several seasons. Created by Eugene and Dan Levy, it was produced in Canada and aired on CBC and Pop TV before expanding internationally on streaming. The show’s cast includes Catherine O’Hara, Annie Murphy, and a broad supporting ensemble.

‘Will & Grace’ (1998–2020)

‘Will & Grace’ tracks the friendship between a gay lawyer and a straight interior designer in New York City. The NBC sitcom originally ran for eight seasons and later returned with a revival. Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes, and Megan Mullally lead the core cast. The series uses a multi-camera format with live studio audiences and frequent guest stars.

‘Queer as Folk’ (2000–2005)

Set in Pittsburgh, ‘Queer as Folk’ portrays a circle of gay men and their friends as they navigate work, love, and community. Developed for Showtime, it adapts the British original for a North American audience. The principal cast features Gale Harold, Randy Harrison, and Hal Sparks. Storylines cover nightlife, activism, and family while tracking characters across multiple years.

‘Please Like Me’ (2013–2016)

Created by and starring Josh Thomas, ‘Please Like Me’ follows a young man coming out and figuring out adulthood in Melbourne. The series blends family dynamics with mental health and relationships among a close friend group. It aired on ABC in Australia and Pivot in the United States before moving to streaming platforms. Co-stars include Thomas Ward, Caitlin Stasey, and Hannah Gadsby.

‘Gentleman Jack’ (2019–2022)

‘Gentleman Jack’ dramatizes the life and diaries of Anne Lister, a landowner and industrialist in 19th-century Yorkshire. Suranne Jones leads the series created for BBC and HBO. The show chronicles Lister’s business dealings, travels, and relationships, including her partnership with Ann Walker. Filming took place across England with detailed period production design.

‘Feel Good’ (2020–2021)

‘Feel Good’ follows comedian Mae Martin as they navigate sobriety, relationships, and career in London. The series began on Channel 4 and Netflix with Martin as co-creator and star. Charlotte Ritchie co-leads as a partner figuring out her own identity and family expectations. The show addresses recovery, therapy, and intimacy through tightly focused episodes.

‘Special’ (2019–2021)

Created by Ryan O’Connell, ‘Special’ centers on a gay man with cerebral palsy who decides to rewrite his life. The Netflix series is based on O’Connell’s memoir and features short episode runtimes. It explores independence, work, and dating with a Los Angeles backdrop. Cast members include Jessica Hecht, Punam Patel, and Augustus Prew.

‘Vida’ (2018–2020)

Set in East Los Angeles, ‘Vida’ focuses on two sisters who return to their neighborhood after a family loss. The series centers Latinx LGBTQ+ characters and a bar that becomes a community anchor. Tanya Saracho created the show for Starz with a cast featuring Mishel Prada and Melissa Barrera. Themes include gentrification, language, and intergenerational relationships.

‘Transparent’ (2014–2019)

‘Transparent’ follows a Los Angeles family as they respond to their parent’s gender transition. Created by Jill Soloway for Amazon, the series places trans and queer experiences at the center of its storytelling. It uses a dramedy format with music and memory as recurring elements. The cast includes Gaby Hoffmann, Jay Duplass, and Amy Landecker.

‘Sex Education’ (2019–2023)

Set in a fictional British secondary school, ‘Sex Education’ brings together a diverse ensemble of queer and trans students. The Netflix series covers relationships, consent, and health topics through school-wide storylines. Asa Butterfield, Ncuti Gatwa, and Emma Mackey lead the cast across multiple cohorts. The show films in Wales with a visual style that nods to classic teen movies.

‘Euphoria’ (2019– )

‘Euphoria’ follows teens in a suburban community as they navigate addiction, identity, and relationships. Zendaya leads the cast with Hunter Schafer portraying a trans character whose journey intersects with the central narrative. The HBO series is known for stylized cinematography and music-driven storytelling. Episodes track character backstories alongside present-day arcs.

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ (2009– )

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ is a competition series that spotlights drag performers through challenges, runway presentations, and lip sync showdowns. Created by and starring RuPaul, it has produced numerous international spin-offs and companion shows. The series has launched the careers of many queens who tour, record music, and headline festivals. It airs across multiple networks and streaming platforms, with specials and all-star editions expanding the franchise.

Share your favorite LGBTQ+-led shows in the comments and tell us which ones we should add next.