Ever since the days of the original “Star Trek” series and perhaps even earlier, fans have been imagining gay relationships between characters in various TV shows. Very few programmes, however, deliberately show openly gay or implied gay relationships or characters. Here is a collection of some of the science-fiction and fantasy series that do.
“The Untamed” (2019)
“The Untamed” Chinese fantasy series became a world-wide hit when it was released. The gay romance, although only implied, was left intact in this 50-episode series. Wei Wuxian (Xiao Zhan) and Lan Zhan (Wang Yibo) are the main characters. The slowly developing relationship between them is poignant and beautifully written.
The fantasy world is rich and the plot is engrossing. It is centred around Wei Wuxian, who develops a style of magic that puts him at odds with all the major clans. He is a rebellious figure and ends up hated by many, despite having a kind heart.
The series is based on the novels, “Mo Dao Zu Shi” (aka “The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation”) by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. They are now available translated into English. They were already popular before the series came out, so this series has a massive fan base. There is enough English fan fiction to keep the most avid reader happy. Some of the cast have also appeared in The Untamed Boys pop group. There is also a wealth of behind the scenes footage from the series available on YouTube and various cast interviews with English subtitles. The series has two spin-off films released, “The Living Dead” and “Fatal Journey“, that can be seen on YouTube.
You can watch “The Untamed” now on Netflix with English subtitles or buy the DVD.
“Good Omens” (2019-onwards)
This on-going series is based on the hit novel by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. It was created by Amazon and the BBC. It currently has two seasons you can watch. “Good Omens” stars David Tennant and Michael Sheen as the demon Crowley and angel Aziraphale, who team up in the first season to stop an apocalypse. The two main characters have not really had anyone else but each other to develop a relationship with since they appeared on earth at the dawn of time. As a result, they have an unexpectedly affectionate relationship. Crowley tries to convince Aziraphale to run away with him any number of times and the two of them constantly exchange adoring glances.
Along with the original novel, there is a lot of fan fiction available to read and some beautiful fan art.
Watch the series now on Amazon Prime or buy it on DVD.
“Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency” (2016)
This American show is based on a series of Douglas Adams novels and stars Samuel Barnett and Elijah Wood. Two seasons have been released. This show has had mixed reactions, largely because the plot is confusing in places, but it all makes sense in the end. The characters are well-developed, quirky and interesting.
Dirk is written as a gay character – and played by a gay actor – in this version of the story and much of the first season centres on his bromance with Todd. It never develops into a romantic relationship, though, and the second season suggests that Todd is interested in a female character.
The plots involve time travel, an alien world and various murders to be solved in Dirk’s unique holistic style.
You can see this series on Netflix or on DVD.
“Shadowhunters: Mortal Instruments” (2016)
This 55-episode US show is based on the set of Young Adult urban fantasy novels by Cassandra Clare. It features a popular romance among 2 non-lead characters: warlock, Magnus Bane (Harry Shum Jr), and shadowhunter, Alec Lightwood (Matthew Daddario). The show follows central character, Clary, whose mother vanishes. Clary then discovers a supernatural world existing within the regular world.
The gay romance develops quickly and is given plenty of airtime over the course of the series. We find out all about Alec and Magnus, and watch their characters grow as they overcome various problems together.
This show is available on Netflix and DVD.
“Guardian” (2018 Chinese series)
“Guardian” is a 40-episode fantasy drama based on a much loved Chinese
novel. It stars Bai Yu as Zhao Yunlan and Zhu Yilong as Shen Wei. The show faced various problems, with many of its themes and even the open inclusion of a gay romance being illegal to broadcast due to current Chinese laws. This meant that the plot of the series was flawed and many fans were unhappy with its changed ending. Despite this, it is worth a look because of a beautifully portrayed romance between its main characters.
The plot in the books involved gods and ghosts. The show plot avoids Chinese censorship issues by changing it into a science-fiction story. Humans and aliens coexist, and Zhao Yunlan’s agency looks into crimes involving the alien race.
The strong fan love for the novel ensures that there is plenty of English fan fiction to read.
“Guardian” is available to watch on YouTube, Viki and DVD with English subtitles. The set of 3 novels the show is based on are now available with English translations.
“Word of Honor” (2021)
This Chinese series is based on the novel, “Faraway Wanderers” by Priest. It stars Zhang Zhehan and Gong Jun as Zhou Ze Shu and Wen Ke Shing the two main characters who fall for each other.
The two men travel together, trying to solve a complex political mystery that threatens the world. They also both have secrets that cause them problems.
There are two different versions of the ending, one happy and one not, depending on whether the epilogue is included. The version on Netflix doesn’t include the epilogue, which you will definitely want to watch.
“Torchwood” (2006)
Captain Jack Harkness originally appeared in “Doctor Who” and then got his own spin-off series. He was one of the first openly gay characters to appear in a mainstream SF show. A number of gay and lesbian relationships are shown in the series but the one between main character, Jack, and Ianto is the one fans tend to love.
The show followed an agency that solved extraterrestrial crimes.
If you enjoy the romance between Captain Jack and Ianto, you might want to stop watching after season 2, as sadly it doesn’t have a happy ending, except in fan fiction.
“Torchwood” is available on Amazon Prime and on DVD.
Honorable Mentions
“Teen Wolf” (2011) – This popular paranormal Young Adult series lasted for 6 seasons. It stars Tyler Posey and Dylan O’Brien and there are various gay and straight relationships shown. The main characters have gay friends and, in a pleasant change from usual, no one is ever bullied for being gay. The plot involves the main character, Scott, being turned into a werewolf and is loosely based on the Michael J Fox film of the same name. It is available to watch on Netflix and on DVD.
“Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain” (Chinese drama, 2019) – The main character, Wang Lu, eventually gets together with a female character. However, he also manages to flirt non-stop with his best friend, Hai Yun Fan, for all 37 episodes of this parody of the Chinese fantasy genre. The show has over-the-top humour and a crazy plot but if you want something that will make you smile, give it a try. (If the series bromance isn’t enough for you, there are behind-the-scenes videos on YouTube of scenes too gay to escape the censors, featuring Wang Lu and Hai Yun Fan bathing together and Wang Lu repeatedly trying to kiss Hai Yun Fan.) Available to watch with English subtitles on Netflix.
If you know of any SF and fantasy shows with major gay characters or gay romances that I’ve missed, I would love to hear about them. Just comment below.
(I write gay fantasy and sci-fi novels that include gay romance sub-plots. You can find out more about them in the Books section or on my Amazon page – US link; UK link.)
I liked Love H2O, which had a wonderfully subtle (and accepted) boy love relationship between important secondary characters web expert Zheng Yecheng in the character of Hao Mei (Mr Beauty) and actor Vin Zhang as top hacker KO. The later’s glances were incendiary and I loved their relationship.. as much as the censorship would allow. And theirs friends acceptance of it.
The tv version and not the movie. There’s 2.
Thanks very much, Melanie. I’ll take a look at this show!