8 current TV shows with bi+ characters we love this #BiWeek
From Callie Torres of Grey’s Anatomy to Brittany Pierce of Glee, representation of the bisexual+ community on television has helped to increase visibility and acceptance of bisexual, pansexual, fluid, and queer individuals all over the world. GLAAD’s annual report, Where We Are on TV, of 2016-17 stated that, “Of the 278 regular and recurring LGBTQ characters on scripted broadcast, cable, and streaming programming, 83 (30 percent) are counted as bisexual.” Although there is still more work to be done, diverse and nuanced LGBTQ representation on TV is on the rise and we couldn’t be more excited.
In celebration of #BiWeek, we put together some of our favorite current television shows with bisexual+ (including pansexual, fluid, and queer) characters. This is not comprehensive list of every single the bi+ characters on TV—just our current favorites!
Warning: There are spoilers below!
Darryl // Crazy Ex-Girlfriend // The CW
In The CW’s comedy-meets-drama-meets-musical Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, actor Pete Gardner plays Darryl Whitefeather, lead-character Rebecca Bunch’s lovable and often clueless boss. Darryl realizes his bisexuality when he finds himself attracted to White Josh (David Hull). In Season 1 Episode 11 of the GLAAD Media Award-nominated series, Darryl comes out to his entire office in the upbeat, ’80s-esque number “Getting’ Bi“. Becoming one of the few male bisexual characters on TV today, Darryl sings, “It’s not a phase. / I’m not confused. Not indecisive. / Don’t have the gotta choose / Blues! I don’t care if you wear / High heels or a tie. You might / Just catch my eye. Because I’m / Definitely Bi!”
The CW has renewed Crazy Ex-Girlfriend for a third season scheduled to premiere on October 13, 2017. Until then, catch up on Seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix.
Annalise // How to Get Away with Murder // ABC
The suspense-filled drama How to Get Away with Murder, which won a GLAAD Media Award, has showcased groundbreaking representation of the queer community, from transgender narratives to HIV-positive characters. Criminal defense attorney Annalise Keating (Viola Davis), the protagonist of How to Get Away with Murder, is romantically involved with both men and women—after several intimate relationships with men, she is first shown with a woman in Season 2 as her past and present romance with Eve Rothlo (Famke Janssen) unfolds.
How to Get Away with Murder has been renewed for a fourth season, set to premiere on September 28, 2017. You can catch up on the first three seasons on Netflix. Also, Viola Davis is Emmy-nominated (again) this year for her role as Annalise. Watch the Emmy Awards live on September 17, 2017.
Lauren // Younger // TV Land
Younger is a comedy-drama centered on Liza Miller’s (Sutton Foster) life as a recently divorced 40-year-old mother masquerading as a 26-year-old to work at a publishing firm. In Season 1 Episode 11, Liza’s best friend, Maggie (Debi Mazar) is kissed by her friend Lauren (Molly Bernard), jumpstarting a relationship between the two. Although Lauren’s identity is never explicitly stated, she maintains relationships with both men and women over Younger’s three seasons. Molly Bernard, the actress who plays Lauren, has stated on the record that, “Lauren is a fluid pansexual female. There’s no preference. She doesn’t skew gay or straight, she just skews Lauren.”
Younger’s fourth season is currently on air every Wednesday at 10p.m. EST on TV Land. You can catch up on Season 4 and watch previous seasons here.
Kat // The Bold Type // Freeform
The Bold Type, inspired by the life of former Cosmopolitan editor-in-chief Joanna Coles, is centered on three friends working for a global women’s magazine. In the pilot episode, main character Kat (Aisha Dee) begins to come to terms with her unexpected romantic feelings towards her friend Adena (Nikohl Boosheri) after previously identifying as straight. Aisha Dee, the actress playing Kat, has previously discussed Kat’s sexuality: “I really love the Adena storyline because there’s just something about it that’s really honest. I love the idea that we can kind of see Kat’s sexuality as more fluid.” The Bold Type follows Kat as she begins to discover her sexuality, leading to an intimate kiss between Kat and Adena in Episode 4.
The Bold Type is currently awaiting renewal status. Help its chances for a second season by watching the first season of The Bold Type on Freeform here or on Hulu.
Nova // Queen Sugar // OWN
With Oprah Winfrey as the executive producer, the cable drama Queen Sugar chronicles the lives of the three estranged Bordelon siblings as they work together to save their family’s Louisiana sugarcane farm. The show opens with journalist and activist Nova Bordelon (Rutina Wesley) with her secret lover Calvin (Greg Vaughan). However, Nova’s sexuality is further reveled when she embarks on a brief relationship with a woman, Chantal Williams (Reagan Gomez), and responds to her aunt’s dismissal of her identity by saying, “It’s what’s within. Not the package.”
Queen Sugar returns for a 2-night season premiere on October 3 and 4. Until then, catch up on previous episodes on OWN here.
Magnus // Shadowhunters // Freeform
In the hit supernatural drama series Shadowhunters, 400-year-old warlock Magnus Bane (Harry Shum Jr.) falls in love with Alec Lightwood (Matthew Daddario) after a previous relationship with Camille Belcourt (Kaitlyn Leeb). In the book series the show is based on, Magnus refers to himself as a “freewheeling bisexual.” Although he has yet to identify himself explicitly as bisexual in the show, his romantic relationships with a woman and a man are both clearly depicted. Fans of Magnus and Alec’s relationship refer fondly to the couple as “Malec.” (Search #Malec on Twitter to see for yourself.)
The third season of Shadowhunters is scheduled to debut in 2018. Until then, catch up on Seasons 1 and 2 on Freeform.
Waverly // Wynonna Earp // Syfy
Canadian supernatural Western series Wynonna Earp follows title character Wynonna (Melanie Scrofano) who inherits the power to battle demons with the ancestral “Peacemaker” revolver. At the start of the GLAAD Media Award-nominated show Waverly Earp (Dominique Provost-Chalkley), Wynonna’s younger sister, is in a relationship with a man, but their relationship ends ands and she finds love with sheriff’s deputy Nicole Haught (Katherine Barrell). Although Waverly declines because she has a boyfriend, later episodes see Waverly break up with boyfriend and begin to date Nicole. Waverly and Nicole’s relationship has become a significant part of the show, and the two (known to fans as #Wayhaught) have an immense following on social media.
Watch Seasons 1 on Netflix and Season 2 on Syfy before Wynonna Earp returns in 2018.
Sarah and Ali // Transparent // Amazon
In addition to being a trailblazer for transgender representation and winning numerous GLAAD Media Awards, Amazon’s comedy-drama Transparent also gives a voice to bisexual+ identities. The inclusion of two leading bi+ characters, Sarah Pfefferman (Amy Landecker) and Ali Pfefferman (Gabby Hoffman), is a significant stride for bisexual visibility in television. Season 1 begins as Sarah rekindles her relationship with past-lover Tammy (Melora Hardin) after a marriage to a man, while Ali starts to question her own sexuality. Both characters have noteworthy relationships with men and women throughout the show’s three seasons, including Ali’s relationship with a trans man.
All seasons of Transparent are available to stream on Amazon Prime, and season four premieres September 22, 2017. This year, Transparent is also nominated for six Emmy awards.
Who are your favorite bisexual+ characters on TV? Tweet us @GLAAD using #BiWeek to let us know.
To learn more about #BiWeek and how you can increase acceptance of the bisexual+ community, visit glaad.org/biweek2017.
www.glaad.org/blog/8-current-tv-shows-bi-characters-we-love-biweek
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