The Most Anticipated Queer Moments from ‘Star Wars’, ‘Stranger Things’, ‘Sandman’, & More
It’s time for all my fandoms to embrace the rainbow. With this year’s new releases, I hope they give me everything on my Pride wish list.
Dear Gay Santa,
Hi, it’s me again! I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’ve been really, really good this year. Listen, there are so many great shows and movies coming out in 2022-2023. Shows and properties like Star Wars and Doctor Who are kicking it into high gear to give us some of the most exciting content yet. My only wish this year? Could we please make them all a little more openly queer?
I promise, if you give me more open queer representation in fandom, I’ll really show out this year. I’ll sing 10% more Janelle Monáe in the shower, increase my eco-friendly glitter usage by 20%, and feel more seen and loved for who I am as a gloriously queer human being.
Which fandoms are set to show their LGBTQ+ pride in the upcoming year? I’m so glad you asked. These are the fandoms that are poised to give me the most anticipated LBGTQ+ moments in the next year.
Our Flag Means Death Season 2
Perhaps one of the most requested series renewals so far this year is for HBO Max’s Our Flag Means Death. This charming, heartfelt, laugh-out-loud funny romantic comedy is all about the Golden Age of piracy, and it highlights just how queer we suspect life on the high seas truly was. The romance between the infamous pirate Black Beard and Gentlement Pirate Stede Bonnet isn’t the only gloriously queer moment in this show – my little genderfluid heart sang to see the show shine a light on Vico Ortiz’s non-binary character Jim and their moments of self discovery.
Since the show premiered, fans have blown up Twitter wondering why HBO didn’t immediately renew the show for a second season. I did leave off on quite the cliffhanger. Is this the month that HBO finally tells us that Rhys Darby, Taika Waititi, and the rest of the crew are coming back? It had better be. Otherwise we may have to mutiny.
The Sandman
Since its initial announcement, fans have been beyond excited for Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman comic book series. The first promising queer casting moment came in the form of non-binary actor Mason Alexander Park in the role of the gender-fluid entity Desire, a member of the Endless. But where our minds were really blown? The casting of Gwendolyn Christie as Lucifer.
This made fanboys on the Twitters big mad. But really, it makes a lot of sense. For one, the Heavenly Host exist far above the human notions of gender, and they physically don’t have any distinguishing sex characteristics. Plus, the initial character was designed to look like gender-bending queer icon David Bowie. And based on the most recent clip from the show, Christie nails the vibes the Lightbringer is laying down in the comic.
These casting choices, along with Gaiman’s own comments on the direction of the show, have some promising indicators of great queer moments. As the show progresses, we’re curious to see if the treatment of other queer characters from the source material sees an update. Namely the fan-favorite trans woman Wanda and her tragic fate in the comics.
Stranger Things
As Netflix’s supernatural nostalgic hit series has gone on, it’s become clear to fans that Will Byers is gay. His affection for his best friend Mike appears to have grown from BFF to crush status in the most recent season, and fans are eager to see the young character come out of the closet.
Cast members of the show have understandably tip-toed around the issue in interviews. And I’m fine with that – if the series intends to address Will’s sexuality in the second part of season 4, which is due out in July. However, if Netflix goes the route of “we don’t need to put a label on it” in the age of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, I will go full-on Path of the Berserker on Netflix.
Bring Doctor Aphra to the Star Wars Universe
Last week’s Star Wars Celebration made it clear that the expanding franchise will be bringing a lot of fan-favorite characters to life on screen. Many of the characters who are being cast for new shows were first introduced in Star Wars‘ various animated series. But one beloved character fans are eager to see in live-action comes from the pages of the Star Wars comics: the archeologist Doctor Aphra.
Some of the best characters from a galaxy far, far away are the ones who are just trying to survive in between the Empire and the Rebellion. Aphra is an excellent example of this concept, having worked for both sides in order to put food on the table. In addition to being a whole heaping lot of fun, Aphra is also one of Star Wars‘ only queer characters. Well, until they acknowledge the legitimacy of my Leia-Mothma ‘ship. Doctor Aphra could easily be featured in one of the many upcoming Star Wars projects, and we cannot wait to see her in live-action.
Loki Season 2 & the Whole MCU
When the first season of Loki revealed that Loki and Sophie dated both princes and princesses, the fandom was pretty excited. And sure, Marvel has casually included bisexual, gay, and lesbian characters in their universe already. But the problem is that if you don’t read the comics, the queerness of these characters might fly over your head.
Russel T. Davies (Doctor Who, It’s a Sin) called out Loki in particular for this. And to be honest, he’s got a point. For decades, queers from every color of the rainbow have been combing through subtext in order to find ourselves represented in media. But it’s the 21st century and we’re still grappling with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and moral panics all over the world. Media is one of the most effective ways to dispel bias toward marginalized peoples. It’s time for our fandoms to give us a real seat at the table instead of tucking us away in the cupboard.
Marvel is easily the largest film behemoth across the world, and the power of representation cannot be understated. It’s critical for kids who are directly affected by oppressive anti-LGBTQ+ movements to know that their heroes clearly and proudly identify as what they are.
Doctor Who Season 14
Speaking of Russel T. Davies, the Doctor Who showrunner will be returning to the BBC’s iconic show with the next season. Moreover, the next Doctor will be historically played by Sex Education actor Ncuti Gatwa. This doesn’t necessarily reflect on the queerness of the next Doctor (though we’re all still eager to know how Jodie’s Doctor will respond to companion Yaz’s affections for her). But Ncuti won our hearts playing the next-generation gay icon Eric Effiong, a fact that we find pretty promising.
But even more exciting is the casting of Heartstopper actress Yasmin Finney as a new Rose Tyler. In the almost 60-year-long run of Doctor Who, Finney will be the first transgender companion to step aboard the TARDIS. This is a hugely historic moment – one we cannot wait to celebrate with Davies, Gatwa, and the rest of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula Season 5
Last December, horror streaming service Shudder confirmed that the drag competition show Dragula would be back for a 5th season. Dragula celebrates the most subversive and punk rock elements of drag. The show is hosted by nightlife goddesses Swanthula and Dracmorda Boulet, and features some of the most stunning executions of filth, horror, and glamor. These contestants are incredibly talented and out to prove one thing: they’re here, they’re queer, and they’ll fill your heart with fear.
Queer history and fandom have always been close bedfellows. The Boulet Brothers have created a show that shines a light on the queer counter-culture that previously hasn’t always gotten the mainstream attention it deserves. Not only is the show a deliciously evil display of talent, it’s a valuable showcase of queer contribution to so many beloved elements of pop culture. Season 5 may be a long way out, but we’re willing to wait.
Hellraiser
Since Hulu announced a new adaptation of Clive Barker’s infamous Hellraiser series, production news has been pretty slim. The only bit of news we’ve really got so far is that Sense8 breakout star Jamie Clayton will star as Pinhead. A woman playing the iconic monster has received some internet backlash – and a transgender woman at that. But if you’re a big Hellraiser fan, you know that the Cenobites are actually pretty genderless. We’re way less picky about the gender of the Cenobites and more inclined to celebrate a new generation of these BDSM horror staples taking to the screen.
