Top Teen LGBTQIA+ Shows from the 2020s to Binge Right Now!

LGBTQIA+ characters are finally getting the starring roles they deserve. Here are some shows that have put these characters center stage to stream right now!

The number of LGBTQIA+ characters on our screens has increased significantly in the 2020s. They are no longer the sidekicks of the series but the main characters. Teens especially see themselves represented in shows across streaming platforms, with Netflix as a top producer of teen LGBTQIA+ content. Here is a list of must-watch LGBTQIA+ teen series.

Young Royals

Netflix’s Swedish teen drama romance follows the fictional Prince Wilhelm of Sweden as he navigates his new boarding school after news breaks that he is romantically involved with his fellow male student, Simon.

This series adds a different perspective by depicting what it would be like for teens to explore their sexuality while the media is watching. The pressure teens feel to fit in and define themselves is taken to another level when the media gets involved and raises questions of who will be the heir to the throne. Wilhelm and Simon’s relationship accurately portrays the innocence that comes with young love.

Young Royals stars Edvin Ryding (Prince Wilhelm) and Omar Rudberg (Simon Eriksson) and currently has two seasons, with the third and final season releasing in 2024.

Heartstopper

Netflix’s British coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama follows Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and his classmate Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) as they discover their unlikely friendship might be something more. The series also explores the lives and relationships of their friends Tao Xu (William Gao), Elle Argent (Yasmin Finney), Isaac Henderson (Tobie Donovan), Tara Jones (Corinna Brown), and Darcy Olsson (Kizzy Edgell).

The series is based on the graphic novels of the same name by Alice Oseman. The story portrays the innocent beginnings of teen love through the lens of the LGBTQIA+ romances of Nick and Charlie, as well as Tao and Elle. In season 2, we even see Issac come to terms with being asexual. The series also deals with mental health and provides a genuine look into the difficulties of adolescents, reminding us that we never know what someone is going through.

The first two seasons are available on Netflix now, with the third in production. While you wait for the new season, you can read Heartstopper Volumes 1-4 and even the 5th volume coming in December.

Love Victor

Hulu’s American teen comedy-drama follows Victor’s journey of self-discovery as he struggles with his sexual orientation and issues at home. This is a spinoff series from the popular movie Love Simon and Becky Albertalli’s novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. In the show’s first season, Victor writes to Simon when high school is too difficult to navigate.

Victor is a teen from a half-Puerto Rican, half-Colombian-American family who shares very different views than him. The series sheds light on familial struggles of coming out and the importance of having a support system. Luckily, Victor does not let outside views of his relationship status keep him from staying true to himself.

The series stars Michael Cimino (Victor Salazar), George Sear (Benji Campbell), Rachel Hilson (Mia Brooks), Bebe Wood (Lake Meriwether), Anthony Turpel (Felix Westen), Isabella Ferreira (Pilar Salazar), Ana Ortiz (Isabel Salazar), James Martinez (Armando Salazar), Mason Gooding, (Andrew Spencer), and Mateo Fernandez (Adrian Salazar). Nick Robinson, who starred as Simon in the original film, also appears as the narrator in seasons 1 and 2.

Sex Education

Netflix’s British teen sex comedy-drama follows Otis Milburn, a Moordale Secondary School student, who starts a sex clinic on campus with fellow student Maeve Wiley. It also explores the relationship and sexual intimacies of Moordale students and the adults in their world.

Although this show premiered in 2019, it defined the 2020s with its fourth and final season airing in 2023. While all four seasons feature same-sex relationships, mainly through Eric and Adam’s point of view, the fourth season explores other LGBTQIA+ relationships.

Season four dives deep into Eric’s sexual identity and how that affects his relationship with his Christian church community. The season also stayed authentic by having trans actors play trans characters Abbi and Roman, the school’s ironic dating duo. We also see O fully step into her asexualality.

The ensemble cast stars Asa Butterfield (Otis Milburn), Gillian Anderson (Dr. Jean Milburn), Ncuti Gatwa (Eric Effiong), Emma Mackey (Maeve Wiley), Connor Swindells (Adam Groff), Kedar Williams-Stirling (Jackson Marchetti), Alistair Petrie (Mr. Groff), Mimi Keene (Ruby Mattews), and Aimee Lou Wood (Amiee Gibbs).