5 TV Shows With Queer Representation That Deserved Better

In the age of independent streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, new TV shows with great representation are being released. These shows with great representation are also being cancelled at an alarming rate. Criticism about shows with queer representation being the first to be cancelled has increased. Here we look at 5 shows with queer representation that were cancelled after one season.

1. I Am Not Okay With This (2020)

I Am Not Okay With This is a comedy-drama based off the comic book of the same name by Charles Forsman. It follows the life of 17-year-old Sydney Novak (Sophia Lillis), who is starting to realise she has telekinetic powers. The show follows her journey as she discovers her power, copes with her father’s suicide, tries to control her temper, navigates through her friendships, and explores her sexuality and feelings for her best friend.

I Am Not Okay With This received positive reviews and the performances was praised, especially Sophia Lillis’s portrayal. The blend of normal teenage drama along with supernatural elements made it easy to get invested in the storyline. The series was renewed for a second season, but the decision was overturned and it was cancelled. According to Netflix, this was due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Teenage Bounty Hunters (2020)

Teenage Bounty Hunters is a comedy-drama revolving around two fraternal twin sisters who get roped into bounty hunting. The show focused on family, sexuality, religion and relationships. With solid character dynamics and arcs, it’s no wonder the show received largely positive reviews and critical acclaim. The characters were relatable and the LGBTQ+ representation was praised by critics and audience alike. It managed to remain suspenseful while also being light-hearted and comedic. The sisterhood between the twins felt organic and real, which can be attributed to the stellar dialogue and undeniable chemistry of the actresses.

5 TV Shows With Queer Representation That Deserved Better

One of the twins, Sterling Wesley (Maddie Philips) discovers her sexuality when she realises she has a crush on April (Devon Hales). April happens to be her childhood best friend turned bitter rival. The engaging dynamic turned many members of the queer community onto this show. Much to the disappointment of its fans, it was cancelled less than 3 months after premiering.

3. Everything Sucks! (2018)

Everything Sucks! is a comedy-drama set in the 1990s. It focuses on a group of teenagers that struggle with their family issues, mental health, and sexuality. It had a wide range of character types whose interactions were fun and chaotic while remaining believable. While the series focused on the teenagers, the parents of the two main characters had their share of the plot. The age-appropriate casting made the series feel grounded and realistic, while the setting evoked a sense of small town nostalgia.

The show had great representation and had serious discussions on topics such as mental health and sexuality. The show equally focused on platonic relationships and romantic relationships without displaying one as more meaningful. It had two explicitly queer characters that went from strangers to more than friends. Their relationship was sweet, tentative, and didn’t feel rushed. The show was then cancelled a few months after it premiered.

4. Dare Me (2019-2020)

Dare Me is a teen drama based off the book ‘Dare Me’ by Megan Abbott. The series is centred on Beth (Marlo Kelly) and Addy (Herizen Guardiola), best friends who are in the cheerleading squad. Their dynamic is changed when the new coach played by Willa Fitzgerald takes over the squad. The toxic friendship of Beth and Addy is the main focus of the show. But Beth and Coach’s disdain for each other, and Addy’s infatuation with Coach are two dynamics that are entertaining to watch. The characters and their backstories are explored until the fragile dynamic shared between the three implodes resulting murder.

Throughout the season, the dynamic between Beth and Addy made it clear that Beth was infatuated with Addy. By the end of the season, it was confirmed that Beth and Addy had more to their friendship than just friendship. The toxic dynamic between Beth and Addy was rife with queer subtext and drew viewers in. The portrayal of the dynamic did not disappoint and neither did the chemistry between the leads. Dare Me was cancelled a month after the season finale aired, leaving the murder mystery unsolved.

5. The Society (2019)

The Society is a mystery teen drama that follows a group of teenagers after the rest of their town disappears. The group returns from a cancelled school trip to find that everyone else has disappeared. The town is now surrounded by dense forests and the outside world cannot be contacted through telephone or internet.

The show is a non-stop thriller, with a diverse cast and several LGBTQ+ characters. The complex dynamics between each character are made more complex by the setting of the series. While the show was renewed for a second season, the show was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cancellation of the series leaves the viewers with more questions and answers.