While rarer than preferred, audiences are thrilled to find that more and more television shows are including a variety of nonbinary and gender-nonconforming characters and actors. Some are done right, like the exploration of nonbinary students in the latest season of Sex Education, but some still fail in their attempts, such as the lackluster effort to represent genderfluidity in Loki.

While Loki is a genderfluid icon, originally confirmed both in Norse mythology and in the Marvel comics, the first season of the hit Marvel TV show Loki did little to show this aspect of the God of Mischief, instead creating a separate female Loki identity in the form of Sylvie. Thankfully there are other shows who have done more to explain and develop characters with non-conforming gender identities in television.

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Adira – Star Trek: Discovery

Adira, played by nonbinary actor Blu del Barrio, arrived on Star Trek: Discovery in season 3 has become a fan-favorite for their brilliant mind and gen-z like attitude. They come out as nonbinary in episode 8, saying they have “never felt like a ‘she'” to Stamets – who looks like a proud father. It is a beautiful, well-written, and succinct moment.

Star Trek has always been at the forefront of progression and has discussed crucial social issues since its inception. And Discovery in particular has been applauded for its LGBTQ+ representation through the characters Culber, Stamets, Reno, and Gray – Adira’s boyfriend who is trans and pansexual, as is the actor Ian Alexander in real life. While at times Discovery‘s LGBTQ+ storylines are negative and flawed, their relationship has moved viewers and Adira has quickly become an iconic nonbinary character.

Syd – One Day At A Time

One Day At A Time has been heralded for its contemporary social commentary whether subtle or obvious – from Penelope’s mental health conditions to Elena’s relationship with her dad after coming out. One of the show’s most beloved characters, Syd, was introduced in season 2 as Elena’s nonbinary love interest.

Syd and Elena’s relationship beautifully shows the fluidity of gender and sexuality as well as awkward teen romances. Syd has helped an abundance of people come out and others to learn more about nonconforming genders – most importantly that nonbinary people don’t owe others androgyny. In all their awkward splendor (their dance moves come to mind), Syd is not afraid to be just themselves and has encouraged others to do the same.

Yael Baron – Degrassi: Next Class

Degrassi: Next Class thoroughly explores new character Yael’s discovery of their gender in season 4. The story comes to fruition after Yael’s breasts keep growing, making them uncomfortable with their body. The show sees Yael discovering the world of binders and from there, they become more focused on becoming more comfortable with their body.

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With a little help from their friend Lola, Yael soon realizes they are nonbinary and genderqueer. The moment they see themself after Lola’s makeover is beautiful and the audience can’t help but share in their happiness. Unfortunately, when the show was canceled, their storylines of gender identity and problems with their boyfriend Hunter not accepting them were left hanging. But fans still see themselves in Yael and resonate with the character and their long but worthwhile journey to find their true self.

Cal Bowman – Sex Education

Cal was introduced in the third season of Sex Education, one of the most revered shows for its exploration of sexuality and gender. Cal was one of two new nonbinary characters – the other being Layla, a shy and demure person still trying to understand their identity. Fortunately for them, they have Cal to learn from, a character who is staggeringly and unapologetically themself.

Played by nonbinary actor Dua Saleh, Cal battles with Moordale’s new gendered dress code, helps Jackson let loose, and teaches Layla about safer binding methods. They’re wise beyond their years and a fighter for queer rights, while still figuring out their own identity. Sex Education often gets LGBTQ+ representation right, and Cal is no exception. They have helped make nonbinary and gender-nonconforming young people feel more seen. The character also generated some of the best moments of season 3, and hopefully, the future season will bring many more.

Bishop – Deputy

While Deputy didn’t last long (one season), Bex Taylor-Klaus’s character Bishop left a remarkable imprint for gender-nonconforming characters in 2020. Bishop, in this Fox police drama, was the first character to come out as nonbinary in broadcast television.

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They are sassy and sarcastic and provide Stephen Dorff’s Sheriff Bill Hollister with some much-needed information about dealing with rule-loving politicians. Taylor-Klaus’s own experiences with gender identity as a nonbinary actor, detailed by The Hollywood Reporter, helped develop Bishop into the androgynous badass that they are. Taylor-Klaus hoped that more characters like Bishop would help educate the majority and even save some lives.

Klaus Hargreeves – The Umbrella Academy

Klaus of The Umbrella Academy was immediately a fan-favorite for his sarcastic wit and fantastic ‘casual goth’ dress sense. They are also unabashedly themselves; using they/them and he/him pronouns, and expressing his pansexuality even in the 1960s – which could lead to trouble. Nevertheless, Klaus’s relationship with Dave, while brief, was nothing short of beautiful.

Often stealing the show from other characters, every scene with Klaus is iconic. While Klaus has endured plenty of sad moments and trauma, he is never afraid to be anything other than themself. Owed to Robert Sheehan and Gerard Way for the brilliant characterization of Klaus, the character has helped many people feel seen and has even encouraged others to come out as queer, whether in terms of gender or sexuality.

Taylor Mason – Billions

Taylor on Billions is an inspiration for nonbinary representation on television. From their very first appearance in the season 2 premiere, Taylor announces their pronouns and makes a stupendous first impression on Axe and the audience.

They are smart (to the point that it’s somewhat terrifying), tough, and often ruthless, as one needs to be in the financial world. They quickly go from intern to CIO of Axe’s company. Played by nonbinary actor, Asia Kate Dillon, Taylor was the first major nonbinary character to grace American TV in 2017, and they continue to help shape the landscape of inclusivity on television.

Joey Riverton – Good Trouble

With season 4 on its way, Good Trouble continues to be at the forefront of television in terms of its vast array of LGBTQ+ characters, such as Alice (an Asian-American lesbian) and Jazmin (a Latinx transwoman). One of the remarkable LGBTQ+ storylines was Joey Riverton’s exploration of gender identity.

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Played by Daisy Eagan, a nonbinary actor, Joey revealed their change in pronouns to their girlfriend Alice just as they get back together. The show brilliantly told the realistic missteps, backtracks, and unintentional mistakes when coming out within a relationship. Left to Eagan, who had recently gone through their own journey of self-exploration and gender identity, the storyline – while short – was thoughtful and meaningful.

Mo – Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

Mo from Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is a larger-than-life character with a stunning singing voice. They are genderfluid and use various pronouns (she/her, they/them, he/him). From the very first episode, their bold and brazen personality has been a brilliant constant and the polar opposite of their best friend Zoey, who is more stern and serious.

Like their character, actor Alex Newell is also gender-nonconforming and welcomes all pronouns. Mo struggles with identity at times but their vibrancy and self-expression have been a breath of fresh air on television, where gender-nonconforming characters can often be the butt of the joke. While the future of the series and movie are still unstable, fans are eagerly awaiting some more Mo.

Kai Bartley – Grey’s Anatomy

One of the newest cast members of the long-running medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy, is Kai Bartley, the show’s first nonbinary doctor. This is a major step in nonbinary and gender-nonconforming representation on television, and the legacy of Grey’s Anatomy has rarely shied away from LGBTQ+ characters.

While audiences have not seen much of the brilliant neuroscientist, played by nonbinary actor E.R. Fightmaster, they are already eager for more. Especially after the amazing chemistry shared with Dr. Amelia Shepherd culminates with a delightful kiss in the mid-season finale. Hopefully, the second half of season 18 will bring more

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About The Author


Rebecca Budgen
(17 Articles Published)

Rebecca Budgen is a queer (biromantic asexual), neurodivergent writer and artist from England. With a BA in Creative Arts and a MA in Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University, Rebecca has had creative nonfiction, mixed media pieces, poetry and reviews published in various magazines and anthologies. Rebecca is a dedicated fan of every conceivable fandom, from Supernatural to Schitt’s Creek.

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