10 Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy TV Shows With LGBTQ+ Main Characters

Given the importance of representation of all kinds in media – allowing audiences to see themselves and their experiences reflected on-screen – it’s only right that LGBTQ+ representation expands beyond shows that deal with the everyday and includes the sci-fi and fantastical.

Whether to provide an escape, give LGBTQ+ viewers the chance to see someone like them experiencing the wonders of sci-fi and fantasy stories, or express familiar circumstances, no matter the setting, the increase in SFF shows with LGBTQ+ main characters can only further enrich a show’s marvelous world.

10 Marvel’s Runaways (2017 – 2019)

Following the revelation that their parents are caught up in the nefarious dealings of criminal organization Pride, Runaways sees a group of super-powered teens band together in order to take them down. Whilst its characters don’t appear in any other Marvel shows, Runaways does share continuity with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In terms of representation, two of the Runaways themselves are LGBTQ+. Karolina Dean (Virginia Gardner) is a half-human, half-alien hero who comes to terms with both her parent’s identities and her identity as a lesbian in season 1. She’s also joined by friend – and later girlfriend – Nico Minoru (Lyrica Okano), a bisexual Wiccan with strong magical abilities.

9 Dark Matter (2015 – 2017)

Dark Matter opens on a starship, as a crew awakens from stasis with no memory of their identities. They take on the names of numbers One through Six, after the order in which they regained consciousness, and set out to discover their identities, as well as what they were all doing on-board.

Although much of Dark Matter’s plot is not heavily focused on romance, one of the show’s main characters, captain of the ship’s crew, Two (Melissa O’Neil), is revealed to be bisexual in later seasons.

8 Lost Girl (2010 – 2015)

Canadian supernatural show Lost Girl follows a succubus named Bo (Anna Silk). She’s a kind of fae raised by humans who is looking for answers about her heritage, and seeking control of her destructive powers as she comes into contact with fae society for the first time.

Bo is a bisexual protagonist who has significant romances with fellow fae, Dyson (Kris Holden-Ried), as well as human doctor, Lauren (Zoie Palmer), who is a lesbian. Later addition to the cast, Tamsin (Rachel Skarsten), is also bisexual, as is sometimes-villain and later ally, Vex (Paul Amos).

7 Wynonna Earp (2016 – 2021)

Telling the story of the legendary Wyatt Earp’s great-great-granddaughter, the titular Wynonna Earp (Melanie Scrofano) returns to her hometown of Purgatory after inheriting the power to send Revenants – undead outlaws killed by Wyatt – back to Hell. With a great team around her, she works to break the curse that keeps the Revenants returning.

Wynonna’s sister Waverly (Dominique Provost-Chalkley) is always there to assist her, and gradually accepts her bisexuality after meeting the openly lesbian deputy sheriff, Nicole Haught (Katherine Barrell), and the two’s relationship has been highly praised by viewers. Season 2 also sees the introduction of Jeremy Chetri (Varun Saranga), a gay scientist who helps the team.

6 Legends Of Tomorrow (2016 – )

Recruited by Rip Hunter (Arthur Darvill) to travel through time aboard the Waverider, Arrowverse show Legends of Tomorrow follows a group of heroes – and sometimes villains – who fight against threats and keep time intact in zany and comedic adventures across all sorts of fun time periods.

With an extensive cast of characters that has changed throughout the seasons, its strong LGBTQ+ representation has remained a constant, with bisexual superhero Sara Lance (Caity Lotz) a protagonist throughout. She is joined across the series by other LGBTQ+ heroes, John Constantine (Matt Ryan), Ava Sharpe (Jes Macallan), and Charlie (Maisie Richardson-Sellers), to name a few.

5 Shadowhunters (2016 – 2019)

Based on the hugely popular YA book series, The Mortal Instruments, by Cassandra Clare, Shadowhunters is an urban fantasy series set in New York. It tells the story of Clary Fray (Katherine McNamara), a Shadowhunter (human-angel hybrid) with the power to fight demons, who was unaware of her heritage until her 18th birthday, and those she meets in this new part of her life.

One of the best relationships in Shadowhunters is between gay Shadowhunter, Alec Lightwood (Matthew Daddario), and bisexual warlock, Magnus Bane (Harry Shum Jr.), with storylines that span the whole of the show. It also introduces vampire Raphael (David Castro), who is asexual.

4 She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power (2018 – 2020)

The animated show She-Ra and the Princesses of Power sees teenaged soldier Adora (Aimee Carrero) find a magic sword and take on the mantle of hero She-Ra. In doing so, she realizes the wrongdoings of The Horde, the institution that raised her, and leaves best friend Catra (AJ Michalka) behind to join a rebellion.

Much of She-Ra’s conflict comes from Catra and Adora’s complex relationship, and the two eventually finish the series in a relationship. The pair are far from the series’ only LGBTQ+ characters, though, with its extensive representation including main character Bow’s two fathers, a romance between the princess Perfuma (Genesis Rodriguez) and Horde captain Scorpia (Lauren Ash), and the non-binary character Double-Trouble (Jacob Tobia), who is introduced in season 4, with many others rounding out the cast.

3 The Umbrella Academy (2019 – )

Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, which has just wrapped filming season 3, follows the Hargreeves family, adopted superheroes who reunite as adults following their father’s death to solve its mystery, whilst also trying to prevent a looming apocalypse.

Two of the Hargreeves siblings with some of The Umbrella Academy’s coolest powers, Klaus (Robert Sheehan) and Vanya (Elliot Page), are both LGBTQ+ and have storylines that explore their respective sexualities, with matters of time-travel complicating affairs for both of them.

2 Julie And The Phantoms (2020 – )

Julie and the Phantoms is a teen musical show that follows Julie Molina (Madison Reyes), a musician struggling to create after the loss of her mother. After accidentally summoning the ghosts of a ’90s boyband to her aid, they become performers in a series with plenty of dramatic and comedic moments.

Drummer for the Phantoms, Alex (Owen Patrick Joyner), is revealed to be gay in the series’ second episode in a nonchalant way that feels refreshing. Alex later meets and develops feelings for a fellow ghost, the skateboarder, Willie (Booboo Stewart).

1 Loki (2021 – )

Exploring what’s become of the trickster god after the events of Avengers: Endgame, this MCU Disney+ show sees Loki (Tom Hiddleston) apprehended by an organization called the TVA, dedicated to preserving the sacred timeline of the universe.

Loki confirms that the titular character is bisexual, whilst also alluding to his gender-fluidity, and though these aspects of his character are not explored to their fullest, it is a step in the right direction towards expanding the MCU’s much-needed LGBTQ+ representation.

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