In 2021, we said goodbye to several of my favorite LGBTQ-inclusive TV shows, including Atypical, Supergirl, and Generation. Luckily, the lineup of new and returning shows for 2022 looks especially queer. Here are ten intriguing new and returning LGBTQ+ characters to look out for this year.
Of all the shows that started last year, Home Economics is one of my favorites. Centered around three siblings who are at different parts of the income bracket, this ABC comedy returns on January 5. Sasheer Zamata, who is known for her role on Saturday Night Live, plays Denise, who is married to the middle sibling Sarah. The two make some of the best queer references I’ve ever seen on a network sitcom including a joke about looking at pictures of Cate Blanchett in suits.
This year, Showtime will debut The First Lady, a drama series focusing on the lives of first ladies Michelle Obama, Betty Ford, and Eleanor Roosevelt. Bisexual actress Gillian Anderson will play Roosevelt and Entertainment Weekly reports that Roosevelt’s relationship with Lorena Hickok will be explored.
Cast of How I Met Your Father (© Patrick Wymore for Hulu)
On January 18, Hulu will premiere a spinoff to the popular sitcom How I Met Your Mother, aptly titled How I Met Your Father. Hilary Duff stars in the new show alongside gay comedian Tien Tran who will star as Ellen, a woman who moved to New York from a farming town after separating from her wife.
In February, out actress Taylor Schilling will play a real-life queer porn star on Pam & Tommy. This Hulu miniseries follows the relationship of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, whose sex tape was leaked in in 1995. Schilling’s character, Erica Gauthier, was married to porn star Ran Gauthier, who stole Anderson and Lee’s sex tape.
Hunter Schaefer as Jules Vaughn (© Eddy Chen for HBO)
On January 9, HBO’s Euphoria will return for a second season with transgender actress Hunter Schafer back as Jules Vaughn. This critically acclaimed television show, which premiered in June 2019, follows a group of high school students as they deal with drugs, sex, and violence. Schaefer’s co-star Zendaya won an Emmy Award in 2020 for her portrayal of Rue Bennett.
The fourth season of The Real Housewives of Miami continues this January and features former Russian model Julia Lemigova, who is married to tennis superstar Martina Navratilova. According to Bravo, Lemigova is the first LGBTQ+ housewife to be part of the Housewives reality franchise.
Later this month, the third season of Batwoman will pick up where it left off, and all eyes will be on Ryan Wilder (Javicia Leslie) and Sophie Moore (Meagan Tandy). Last year, the CW aired its seventh annual Arrowverse crossover event, and one episode featured an alternate timeline where Ryan and Sophie were married and about to adopt a child. Will they or won’t they end up together? Only time will tell.
Eris Baker as Tess Pearson (© NBC)
On January 4, NBC’s Emmy-winning drama This Is Us returned for its sixth and final season. As the series wraps up, I’m excited to what’s in store for Tess Pearson (Eris Baker), who came out to her parents in season 3, and started to date a non-binary character in season 5.
Season 3 of the superhero series The Umbrella Academy will premiere in June 2022. This season, Elliot Page will return to the series as Viktor Hargreeves, who like Page, will come out as transgender.
On August 12, Amazon Prime will debut a comedy series based on the 1992 film A League of Their Own. While it’s unclear which characters will be queer, it has been reported that “the show takes a deeper look at race and sexuality, following the journey of a whole new ensemble of characters.” Included in the cast are out actresses Abbi Jacobson, Roberta Colindrez, and Rosie O’Donnell.
