Sapphics across social media are up in arms after news broke Thursday night that Netflix reality dating show The Ultimatum: Queer Love has been canceled. Responses range from heartbreak and confusion to anger and suspicion.
In Them‘s Instagram post sharing news of the cancellation, the comment section birthed a possible solution. Australian actress, director, and screenwriter Sara West commented, “Make it Australian with @chrishell.stause as host! 😍😍😍.”
Chrishell Stause, star of Netflix’s Selling Sunset, responded, saying, “@sarajwest I would LOVE to host this🥹 Maybe another network will save it😩 Either way—I wanna watch it!”
Stause went on to post about the idea in her Instagram Stories on Oct. 3, tagging Peacock, Hulu, Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Max, and HBO as potential new networks to pick up the show.
The Ultimatum: Queer Love aired on Netflix for two seasons, the most recent of which wrapped in July. On Thursday night, Variety broke the news that the show would be no more. Netflix has yet to release a public statement regarding the cancellation, and the Variety article didn’t offer a reason for it.
Though entertaining, The Ultimatum: Queer Love received mixed reviews. Participants often struggled through difficult situations without any sort of mental help or support, and drama was often flamed at the expense of cast members’ well-being.
Criticism also arose for Netflix’s choice of host: heterosexual actress JoAnna Garcia Swisher. In a series centered on queer relationships, Garcia Swisher’s involvement felt out of left field. The original (heterosexual) iteration of the show, The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On, featured hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey, who also host Netflix’s juggernaut Love Is Blind. While a shift in hosts for the queer edition of The Ultimatum seemed appropriate, the decision not to choose someone from the LGBTQ+ community was baffling.
If Queer Love can be revived, Stause would be a natural choice for a new host . Her success on Selling Sunset proves she can handle emotional and dramatic situations on camera with poise and humor. Stause also provides valuable queer representation. She deftly introduced the Selling Sunset cast and fans to her spouse, Australian musical artist G Flip. Throughout their romance, Stause hasn’t shied away from questions about the shift in her publicly perceived sexuality, nor has she faltered when explaining her partner’s gender identity to others—many of whom had never “met” a non-binary person before.
Having Stause—and possibly G Flip—host would give fans sapphic leaders who showcase diverse gender identities and expressions, offering representation sorely missing from mainstream media. Other great options include Niecy Nash-Betts and Jessica Betts or Gabby Windey and Robby Hoffman.
As of today, there have been no updates on efforts to save the show, but we’ll keep you posted if any arise.