6 Great Period Dramas Where Queer Storylines Actually Exist
Some old and new period dramas with excellent queer storylines.
Autumn is the perfect season to cosy up and binge-watch some atmospheric period dramas. And what do the girls, gays, and theys love more than a good period drama? A period drama that shows them the fabulous, albeit often hidden, queer culture of the past.
So here are six great period dramas that actually show us those queer storylines!
Sarah Waters
Sarah Waters is hailed as a historical-fiction writing genius, and many of her amazing novels have been adapted for screen. Perhaps the most loved are Tipping the Velvet, a story of love and stardom set in 1887; Fingersmith, a historical crime drama with a gripping secret love affair; and Affinity, a darker psychological story of love and obsession.
Dickinson
Dickinson transports viewers to Emily Dickinson's 19th century, delving into her intricate relationships with family, friends, and society. It includes themes like gender roles, sexual identity, and the love of art and creativity, especially focusing on Emily’s much-debated romantic relationship with her best friend Sue.
Anne with an E
The Netflix remake of the beloved children's classic story Anne of Green Gables is not only filled with the grit and edge that Netflix is known for in its adaptations, but it has a whole host of canonically queer characters too. Season two even has a whole glorious episode dedicated to a beautifully queer party filled with acceptance, understanding, and openly gay frivolity.
World on Fire
Few previous period dramas have explored the experiences of gay men during World War II. World on Fire, however, sends a loud message, highlighting the fact that queer individuals not only existed during this time but also had to face the challenges of homophobia, both from their own peers and those in Nazi Germany. What sets World on Fire apart from other war-based historical dramas is its portrayal of a queer romantic relationship that transcends nationality and race, making it truly unique and impactful.
Bodies
In the new Netflix period drama, Bodies, Kyle Soller portrays a detective inspector who grapples with his gay identity. The series, based on Si Spencer's mind-bending graphic novel, follows police detectives across different time periods as they discover the same body in London's East End. The show also explores Ashe's identity as a gay man through portraits depicting the queer nightlife of the 19th century.
1899
Although it never made it past its initial season, 1899 was an exciting and impressive multilingual show that featured people from many different parts of the world. It also included an exciting romance between characters Angel and Ramiro that LGBTQ+ fans loved to watch. The series focused on a group of international migrants travelling on a steamship in the hopes of starting a new life in New York City, with the steamy gay relationship being portrayed by actors Miguel Bernardeau and Jose Pimentao.