Category: TV

Stay updated with the latest in LGBTQ+ entertainment through Gayety’s comprehensive coverage of television news and features.

  • ‘Willow’ Actor Calls Out Disney for Removing Sapphic Series

    ‘Willow’ Actor Calls Out Disney for Removing Sapphic Series

    Actor Warwick Davis recently expressed his frustration online over Disney Plus canceling and removing the Willow series from the platform.

    After one season, Disney pulled the plug on Willow, a fantasy adventure series that is a sequel to the 1988 film of the same name. Much to our delight, the continuation had a beautiful sapphic romance at the helm between a princess (Ruby Cruz) and a knight (Erin Kellyman).

    Adding insult to injury, Disney unceremoniously wiped all eight episodes from their streaming service. Davis, who played the sorcerer Willow in both the series and the original movie, recently spoke out against Disney’s decision in a post shared on X.

    “I meet lovely people on a daily basis who are fans of #Willow, who are the reason the @DisneyPlus Series was made,” he wrote. “Please tell me @WaltDisneyCo, what do I say to these subscribers when they ask why they can’t watch the series any more?”

    Unfortunately, this is not the first female-led queer show to be pulled from a streamer. It’s a fate many shows face these days. Remember First Kill, Atypical, and The L Word: Generation Q?

    Willow Showrunner Held Onto Hope

    At its cancellation, Willow showrunner Jonathan Kasdan held onto some hope for the series. He explained that they had already written and developed the show. The “cancellation” is more about releasing the cast from their contracts. In the world of streaming, this didn’t necessarily spell disaster, unlike traditional network TV.

    However, Disney erased the show, which in turn erased its chances of gaining a bigger audience.

    “Can’t believe it’s just simply not available to view.. like it never existed,” one user commented.

    “I didn’t know you couldn’t watch the series anymore – but I’ll add my voice to the chorus saying the new #Willow was great – it was fun and exciting and I loved every minute!” another added.

    #Embarassing is right. Here’s to hoping that major streamers will put a halt to this trend. The world is in need of more sapphic representation!

  • Netflix Teases Exciting LGBTQ+ Content: New ‘Young Royals’ and ‘Elite’ Clips Take Center Stage

    Netflix Teases Exciting LGBTQ+ Content: New ‘Young Royals’ and ‘Elite’ Clips Take Center Stage

    Netflix is ready to remind you that their content is here and queer.

    In a new sizzle reel released for their “Keep Doing the Most” campaign, the streaming platform sparked queer joy by showing us some of our favorite LGBTQIA+ characters and storylines, including a sneak peek at the upcoming seasons of Young Royals and Elite!

    Related | Omar Ayuso Returns for Season 7 of Netflix’s Élite

    Set to Troye Sivan’s new song “What’s The Time Where You Are?”, the video delves into the swoony crushes, chosen family hugs, and fabulous looks we’ve witnessed in their content over the years.

    Some fan-favorite titles featured are Everything Now, Heartbreak High, Never Have I Ever, Sex Education, Stranger Things, That 90’s Show, and XO, Kitty. According to Netflix, the campaign ties into LGBT History Month and was produced by an entirely queer-led crew.

    Watch until the end for an exclusive first look at the third and final season of Young Royals.

    “How did you imagine it would be?” Simon asks.

    “I can… show you,” Willhelm replies.

    Related | ‘Young Royals’ Will Return For a Third and Final Season

    While Elite season seven will hit Netflix on October 20, there is no release date yet for Young Royals. Fingers crossed, it premieres this year!

    Heartstopper Begins Filming

    Another favorite series from the reel is Heartstopper, which started filming its third season earlier this month.

    While Netflix has not released further details about the season, we have a few guesses. We will likely see all of our favorite leads rejoin the series – such as Joe Locke as Charlie, Kit Connor as Nick, Yasmin Finney as Elle, William Gao as Tao, Corinna Brown as Tara, Kizzy Edgell as Darcy and Tobie Donovan as Isaac.

    Other characters who are likely to return are Jenny Walser as Tori, Cormac Hyde-Corrin as Harry, Rhea Norwood as Imogen, Fisayo Akinade as Nathan, Chetna Pandya as Coach Singh, Bradley Riches as James and, of course, Olivia Colman as Nick’s mother. Season two also saw Jack Barton as David, Leila Khan as Sahar, Nima Taleghani as Youssef, Bel Priestly as Naomi and Ash Self as Felix. They will also likely be back for the new season.

    There’s so much queer content, it’s time to start rewatching!

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  • ‘Drag Race’ Star Jade Jolie Proudly Comes Out as Trans

    ‘Drag Race’ Star Jade Jolie Proudly Comes Out as Trans

    Drag Race star Jade Jolie has come out as transgender!

    Jade Jolie first won viewers’ hearts when she appeared on season five of RuPaul’s Drag Race, finishing in eighth place. She then starred in season four of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula and is known for her Taylor Swift impersonations.

    She even starred in Taylor Swift’s 2019 music video for her LGBTQ+ anthem, “You Need to Calm Down,” which has been viewed more than 320 million times.

    Jade Jolie Comes Out

    In a new tweet shared online, Jolie came out as trans to her 85 thousand followers online. “Deciding to choose myself and move forward with my transition,” she wrote.

    Related | Renée Rapp Struggled to Come Out as Bisexual While Filming ‘TSLOCG’

    https://twitter.com/QueenJadeJolie/status/1710985900971438374

    As expected, her post received praise from numerous users.

    “Thank you to everyone for the immense amount of love & support I’ve received,” Jolie wrote in a recent Instagram story. “My heart is so full from all the kindness & so incredibly excited to become the best version of myself.”

    Other Queens Who Came Out

    In the history of Drag Race, Jolie is not the first transgender queen.

    Related | ‘Drag Race’ and ‘American Idol’ Alum Adore Delano Comes Out as Trans

    In Season Nine, Peppermint blazed a trail as the inaugural transgender woman competitor, while Season Thirteen introduced Gottmik as the first transgender man on the show. Kylie Sonique Love made history by clinching the All Stars 6 title, becoming the first trans winner. Season 14 marked another milestone with five transgender contestants, including the beloved Kornbread and eventual victor Willow Pill.

    We love you, Jade!

  • Netflix Has Started Filming ‘Heartstopper’ Season 3

    Netflix Has Started Filming ‘Heartstopper’ Season 3

    It’s time! Heartstopper season three is officially in production.

    Hi, Heartstopper fans! Can you believe it’s almost time to say “hi” to a new season? Again? In a new post from Netflix, the brilliant Alice Oseman confirms filming for season three, all while wielding the cutest clapperboard you ever did see – bedazzled in rainbows! And guess what? There’s a delightful new doodle of our beloved duo, Nick and Charlie, too!

    The image also revealed a new director joining the Heartstopper team: Andy Newbery (Hidden).

    Everything We Know About Season Three

    While Netflix has not released further details about the season, we have a few guesses. We will likely see all of our favorite leads rejoin the series – such as Joe Locke as Charlie, Kit Connor as Nick, Yasmin Finney as Elle, William Gao as Tao, Corinna Brown as Tara, Kizzy Edgell as Darcy and Tobie Donovan as Isaac.

    Other characters who are likely to return are Jenny Walser as Tori, Cormac Hyde-Corrin as Harry, Rhea Norwood as Imogen, Fisayo Akinade as Nathan, Chetna Pandya as Coach Singh, Bradley Riches as James and, of course, Olivia Colman as Nick’s mother. Season two also saw Jack Barton as David, Leila Khan as Sahar, Nima Taleghani as Youssef, Bel Priestly as Naomi and Ash Self as Felix. They will also likely be back for the new season.

    Say Goodbye to Ben

    The one character who will not be returning is Ben (played by Sebastian Croft), AKA Charlie’s abusive “ex.” In the season two finale, Charlie boldly confronts Ben, giving fans the long-awaited closure they craved. Charlie, finally asserting himself, lays bare the profound hurt Ben inflicted during their relationship. Fortunately, there are glimpses of remorse from Ben.

    Sebastian Croft as Ben Hope

    Ultimately, the actor and writer decided it was unfair to give Ben a proper redemption arc. “Particularly as the aftershocks of Ben’s manipulation are still causing Charlie pain, Ben can become a better person, but Charlie should not have to witness that, endorse it, or offer any forgiveness. And so he won’t,” Oseman told Tudum.

    Based on previous timelines, season three will likely premiere towards the end of 2024. For a sneak peek into what fans can expect from the season, you can read Oseman’s graphic novel by the same title.

    Season one and two of Heartstopper are streaming now on Netflix.

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  • Watch the New Spooky Trailer for Kristen Stewart’s Gay Ghost-Hunting Series

    Watch the New Spooky Trailer for Kristen Stewart’s Gay Ghost-Hunting Series

    Kristen Stewart is hosting a gay-ance! By that, we mean her upcoming ghost-hunting series has released a new trailer, which looks equally spooky and gay.

    The trailer for Living for the Dead introduces the five gay “Ghost Hunties” who will be leading us on this paranormal adventure. There’s Ken the tarot card reader, Alex the tech expert, Logan the psychic, Roz the paranormal researcher, and Ju Ju the witch.

    “I get to come out twice. For being gay and for talking to dead people,” Alex says in the trailer. Yup, that about sums it up.

    Throughout the two-minute teaser, the spooky Fab-Five are confronted by spirits as they attempt to “help the living by healing the dead.” They will explore “infamous haunted locations while pushing past boundaries with both the living and the deceased.” This season, the Hunties will travel to Arizona, Nevada and Kentucky.

    Related | Viewers Walked Out of Kristen Stewart’s New Film at the Cannes Festival

    Kristen Stewart Said Gay Spooky Rights

    Of course, the trailer also includes an appearance from our sapphic queen Kristen Stewart, who is an executive producer and narrator on the project.

    “It’s so cool and enlivening that me and my best friend CJ Romero had this funny idea and now it’s a show,” Stewart told People Magazine.

    “It started as a bit of a hypothetical silly pipe dream and now I am so proud to have shepherded something that is as moving and meaningful as it is truly a gay old time.”

    “This is just the beginning for us and for Living for the Dead. We wanna one day have traipsed across the entire spooky-a*s country. Maybe the world.”

    A fabulously queer ghost-hunting series from the mind of Kristen Stewart? Count us in.

    A Huluween Original, Living for the Dead is from the creators of Queer Eye. It premieres on Hulu on October 18.

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  • Writers Guild of America and Studios Strike a Deal

    Writers Guild of America and Studios Strike a Deal

    The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have agreed to end the nearly five-month strike.

    “We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA, which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language,” the WGA shared on Sunday.

    (more…)
  • Explore Isaac’s ‘Heartstopper’ S2 Reading List!

    Explore Isaac’s ‘Heartstopper’ S2 Reading List!


    Finished binge-watching Heartstopper season two multiple times already? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! But now, as we anxiously await season three, here’s a fun idea: dive into the world of books!

    But hold on, not just any books. We all adore Isaac, the charmingly introverted bookworm, who’s rarely seen without a book in hand.

    According to executive producer Patrick Walters, author Alice Oseman decided to have Isaac be a big reader. “When we got into the pre-production phase of gearing up to film the series with our director, Euros Lyn, we decided to have a running joke throughout the whole series around Isaac’s books — and, essentially, that is that he’s reading something very, very different each time we see him holding a book, and also that he seems to read at the speed of light,” he told Tudum.

    Related | Here’s How You Can Stream the ‘Heartstopper’ S2 Playlist

    Whether he’s at Elle’s grand art show or grabbing a bite, Isaac is always engrossed in a new read. Lucky for you, we’ve meticulously compiled his reading list, so you can jump right into the literary adventure!

    And here’s the bonus: Isaac’s curated selection is a treasure trove of vibrant queer novels exploring love, acceptance, self-discovery, and the complexities of sexuality. Get ready for an enriching reading journey!

    Isaac’s Reading List:

    I Love This Part by Tillie Walden

    Two girls in a small town in the USA kill time together as they try to get through their days at school. They watch videos, share earbuds as they play each other songs and exchange their stories. In the process they form a deep connection and an unexpected relationship begins to develop.

    Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

    Gossip Girl meets Get Out in Ace of Spades, a YA contemporary thriller by debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé about two students, Devon & Chiamaka, and their struggles against an anonymous bully.

    Bi by Ritch Savin-Williams

    Savin-Williams provides an important new understanding of bisexuality as an orientation, behavior, and identity. Bi shows us that bisexuality is seen and embraced as a valid sexual identity more than ever before, giving us timely and much-needed insight into the complex, fascinating experiences of bisexual youth themselves.

    We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

    Marin hasn’t spoken to anyone from her old life since the day she left everything behind. No one knows the truth about those final weeks. Not even her best friend Mabel. But even thousands of miles away from the California coast, at college in New York, Marin still feels the pull of the life and tragedy she’s tried to outrun. Now, months later, alone in an emptied dorm for winter break, Marin waits. Mabel is coming to visit and Marin will be forced to face everything that’s been left unsaid and finally confront the loneliness that has made a home in her heart.

    The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

    A classic comedic play about two men, John (Jack) and Algernon, who create fictitious personas in order to escape their mundane lives. Jack pretends to be Earnest in the city, while Algernon pretends to be Jack’s brother, Earnest, in the country. The two men find love with two women, Gwendolen and Cecily, as they juggle their double lives. However, when the truth comes out, their relationships are put to the test in a series of unexpected twists and turns. The Importance of Being Earnest is a satirical comedy that explores themes of identity, love, and social norms.

    Birthday by Meredith Russo

    Six years of birthdays reveal Eric and Morgan’s destiny as they come together, drift apart, fall in love, and discover who they’re meant to be―and if they’re meant to be together. From the award-winning author of If I Was Your Girl, Meredith Russo, comes a heart-wrenching and universal story of identity, first love, and fate.

    Loveless by Alice Oseman

    This is the funny, honest, messy, completely relatable story of Georgia, who doesn’t understand why she can’t crush and kiss and make out like her friends do. She’s surrounded by the narrative that dating + sex = love. It’s not until she gets to college that she discovers the A range of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum — coming to understand herself as asexual/aromantic. Disrupting the narrative that she’s been told since birth isn’t easy — there are many mistakes along the way to inviting people into a newly found articulation of an always-known part of your identity. But Georgia’s determined to get her life right, with the help of (and despite the major drama of) her friends.

    Crush by Richard Siken

    Richard Siken’s Crush is a powerful collection of poems driven by obsession and love. Siken writes with ferocity, and his reader hurtles unstoppably with him. His poetry is personal, openly gay, edgy, and filled with passionate sensuality.

    Boy Erased by Garrard Conley

    Garrard Conley, a young man deeply rooted in the Baptist church in small-town Arkansas, faced a crisis when he was outed as gay at nineteen. He had to choose between attending church-backed conversion therapy or losing his family and faith. Despite the brutal therapy, he sought his true self and forgiveness, defying the program’s goals. Boy Erased explores the intricate ties between family, faith, and community, offering a poignant tale of love enduring against adversity.

    All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

    Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren’t Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson’s emotionally frank style of writing will appeal directly to young adults.

    We Have Always Been Here by Samra Habib


    Samra Habib’s life has been a quest for self-acceptance and safety. Growing up as an Ahmadi Muslim in Pakistan, they faced threats due to their sect’s beliefs. After their family sought refuge in Canada, they confronted new challenges like bullying, racism, and arranged marriage. Desperate for a safe space to nurture their creative, feminist spirit, they faced pressure from men and the example of pious obedience from women. Their journey unfolds through faith, art, love, and queer sexuality, ultimately leading them to self-discovery. “We Have Always Been Here” is a triumphant memoir of forgiveness, chosen and unchosen family, and a call for embracing one’s true self fearlessly.

    Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman


    Rumi Seto grapples with uncertainty about life’s choices, except one: she wants to create music with her sister, Lea. Tragically, Lea dies in a car accident, leading Rumi’s mother to send her to live with an aunt in Hawaii. Far from home, Rumi faces the loss of her sister, maternal abandonment, and the absence of music. With support from the “boys next door” – surfer Kai and elderly George Watanabe – Rumi strives to rediscover her musical passion and complete the song she and Lea never finished. “Summer Bird Blue” is a poignant exploration of profound grief, unconditional love, and the possibility of forgiveness.

    Ace by Angela Chen

    This accessible examination of asexuality shows that the issues that aces face—confusion around sexual activity, the intersection of sexuality and identity, navigating different needs in relationships—are the same conflicts that nearly all of us will experience. Through a blend of reporting, cultural criticism, and memoir, Ace addresses the misconceptions around the “A” of LGBTQIA and invites everyone to rethink pleasure and intimacy.

    Honorable Mentions:

    Okay, so not every book Isaac reads is inherently queer. Here are the novels he is spotted devouring that may not have leading queer storylines, but they are exciting page-turners.

    Book Lovers by Emily Henry

    Nora Stephens is no storybook heroine. She’s a ruthless literary agent and protector of her little sister, Libby. Libby drags Nora to Sunshine Falls, hoping to transform her into a different character. However, instead of charming small-town experiences, Nora repeatedly encounters Charlie Lastra, a gloomy city editor. Their meetings aren’t cute meet-cutes; they’ve crossed paths many times before. Both Nora and Charlie realize they’re not typical heroes, but their constant, coincidental meetings may rewrite the narratives they’ve constructed about themselves.

    Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

    “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo is a gripping tale following Jean Valjean, an ex-convict, in his courageous quest for redemption. While it serves as a powerful social commentary on human poverty, ignorance, and cruelty, the novel is equally celebrated for its thrilling narrative, including a vivid portrayal of the Battle of Waterloo.

    The Awakening by Kate Chopin

    Set in New Orleans and on the Louisiana Gulf coast at the end of the 19th century, the plot centers on Edna Pontellier and her struggle to reconcile her increasingly unorthodox views on femininity and motherhood with the prevailing social attitudes of the turn-of-the-century American South. 

    The Outsider by Albert Camus

    The first of Camus’ novels published in his lifetime, the story follows Meursault, an indifferent settler in French Algeria, who, weeks after his mother’s funeral, kills an unnamed Arab man in Algiers.

    Where’s Wally: The Great Picture Hunt by Martin Handford

    C’Mon. We had to include it.

  • Watch the S4 Trailer for ‘Sex Education’: “Let’s finish together”

    Watch the S4 Trailer for ‘Sex Education’: “Let’s finish together”

    Netflix has released the trailer for the final season of Sex Education and the teens of Moordale Secondary School are back with more sex, scandal, and even more sex.

    Where Did Season Three of Sex Education End?

    At the end of the last season, Moordale Secondary School closed down due to another sex scandal, despite the efforts of head teacher Hope Haddon to save face. Consequently, the students are forced to relocate. Most end up at Cavendish Sixth Form College, apart from Maeve (Emma Mackey), who is off on scholarship in the US.

    Maeve and Otis (Asa Butterfield) finally confessed their feelings for each other and are trying at a long-distance relationship.

    Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) and Adam (Connor Swindells) are navigating a new life away from each other following their breakup. Adam came out as bisexual to his mom and Eric is exploring his sexual freedom. Speaking of breakups, a lot of them happened in season three. The relationships between Jackson and Cal and Aimme and Steve also ended.

    The Beginning of the Climax

    In the new trailer, Maeve and Otis try their hand at sexting, Aimee finds pleasure in being single, Eric is hooking up, Otis faces another sex therapist on campus, and so much more.

    The official synopsis for the season reads: “Following the closure of Moordale Secondary, Otis and Eric now face a new frontier – their first day at Cavendish Sixth Form College. Otis is nervous about setting up his new clinic, whilst Eric is praying they won’t be losers again. But Cavendish is a culture shock for all the Moordale students – they thought they were progressive but this new college is another level. There’s daily yoga in the communal garden, a strong sustainability vibe and a group of kids who are popular for being… kind?!

    “Viv is totally thrown by the college’s student-led, non-competitive approach, while Jackson is still struggling to get over Cal. Aimee tries something new by taking an Art A-Level and Adam grapples with whether mainstream education is for him. Over in the US, Maeve is living her dream at prestigious Wallace University, being taught by cult author Thomas Molloy. Otis is pining after her, whilst adjusting to not being an only child at home, or the only therapist on campus…”

    Which Queer Stars Will Make Cameos in S4

    Also returning this season are Aimee Lou Wood, Kedar Williams Stirling, Dua Saleh, Gillian Anderson, Mimi Keene, and Chinenye Ezeudu. The trailer offers exciting glimpses into the new characters played by Dan Levy and comedian Hannah Gadsby.

    Watch the trailer here and prepare your tissues for the final season of Sex Education on Netflix on September 21.

    https://youtu.be/WldgrH9SvbE?si=t_bkeuAvUx4ryeFY

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  • ‘Riverdale’ Series Finale Reveals an Unexpected Quad Relationship

    ‘Riverdale’ Series Finale Reveals an Unexpected Quad Relationship

    The madness that is The CW series Riverdale is coming to an end. But not without a jaw-dropping final episode.

    (more…)
  • Dan Levy’s Instagram Post Offers a Glimpse into Patrick and David’s Promising Future

    Dan Levy’s Instagram Post Offers a Glimpse into Patrick and David’s Promising Future

    New photos from Dan Levy show him lounging around Italy with his former costar, Noah Reid!

    (more…)