SCHITT’S CREEK
The list has to begin with one of the most wholesome, inclusive and hilarious shows we have come across — Schitt’s Creek. A family of billionaires lose their wealth when one of their employees double-crosses them. They are left with no option but to move to a town that they had once bought as a joke and live in a ramshackle inn. Dan Levy’s character, David Rose is an artistic person who identifies as pansexual. David falls in love with Patrick who soon becomes his first longest relationship, while they run a store, Rose Apothecary, together. We tear up every time we watch the second-last episode when the duo get married. While Moira, David’s mother (Catherine O’ Hara) solemnises the marriage, Alexis, David’s sister (Annie Murphy) walks him down the aisle, while his father, Johnny Rose (Eugene Levy) gives him away while the townspeople gather to celebrate them. Real-life father and son Eugene and Dan also wrote the show which swept the Emmy awards in 2020.
Where to watch: Netflix
Number of seasons: Six
KILLING EVE
A bone-chilling series where Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer share a crackling chemistry as Eve Polastri and Vilanelle, respectively. While Eve is a detective hunting for a psychopathic assassin who is killing prominent individuals globally, she ends up being obsessed with Vilanelle (do we blame her?). A series of intense events dominated by desire, angst, treachery and paradoxes. The pair falls in love with each other but millions of barriers await them. For us, it is Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s writing and the reality that reflects off her queer characters (unlike characters from Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui).
Where to watch: Prime Video and Netflix
Number of seasons: Four episodes
FEEL GOOD
A short and sweet show with just 12 episodes, Feel Good written by Mae Martin features them as themself. The semi-autobiographical series sees Mae as a comedian with a former drug addiction problem. They meet George, a conservative English woman, at the comedy club where they perform. However, Mae’s drug addiction and George’s reluctance to tell her friends about them bring hurdles in the duo’s relationship. It is a relatable show and at the end of the day makes you “feel good”.
Where to watch: Netflix
Number of seasons: Two
EUPHORIA
All in life is not rainbow and sunshine. The line stands strong literally in the lives of millions of queer people and it is one of the main themes dealt in Euphoria. The show follows the dark side of high schools and touches upon sensitive issues like drug addiction, repressed homosexuality, toxic masculinity, sexual assault, drug dealing, child abuse and many more issues. Zendaya’s character Rue, has a fleeting relationship with Hunter Schafer’s Jules and the duo’s bond is deep and filled with bittersweet moments. Meanwhile, Nate (Jacob Elordi) struggles with his sexuality and so does his father. It is overall a heavy watch but an important one. Like Maddy (Alexa Demie) says, “Gender is a spectrum!”
Where to watch: Prime Video
Number of seasons: Two
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
Orange Is The New Black is an iconic show in the queer space. It was one of the first mainstream shows to feature multiple queer characters and was set in the backdrop of an American prison. The show is as inclusive as it gets, which makes it a comfortable watch. There is Piper (Taylor Schilling) who struggles with self-identity while meeting her ex-partner who was allegedly responsible for her being imprisoned in the first place. Then there is Alex, whose depiction of a bisexual character was so unapologetic that it actually inspired several people to come out in real life. Laverne Cox’s character shows the multiple aspects of being a trans woman. The show does not sugarcoat queer experiences and keeps it on the table without the salad.
Where to watch: Netflix
Number of seasons: seven
MODERN FAMILY
Another fun and diverse watch that shows the lives of three different families who are related to each other. It is Cameron and Mitchell’s family along with their adopted Asian daughter Lily that is noteworthy. It is fun to watch the entire cast grow up and grow old in the 11 years that the show aired for. Moreover, the way both their families gradually become more accepting and are always willing to change with the hilarious dashes of simple humour makes Modern Family the show you can watch while having lunch or dinner.
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
Number of seasons: 11
ONE DAY AT A TIME
A former military, newly divorced mother stays with her old-school Cuban mother, tween son and her teenaged daughter who comes out as queer. The series is largely about how three generations deal with life’s ups and downs but what caught our attention is the way Penelope (Justina Machado) supports her daughter throughout.
Where to watch: Netflix and Pop TV
Number of seasons: Four
SEX EDUCATION
The list of shows to binge-watch as we run up to Pride month is incomplete without Sex Education. The series explores intersectional queer representation majorly through Eric Effiong's (Ncuti Gatwa) character. We love how Eric's character was not reduced to being the stereotypical gay best friend or a mere comic relief. Additionally, he goes on to date Adam Groff (Connor Swindells), the principal's son with sensitive masculinity. It is a soulful watch and you could be of any age and still enjoy this teen drama.
Where to watch: Netflix
Number of seasons: Four
