Streaming Queer: May 2023
This month is filled with joyous queer representation: Queer comedians return with stand-up specials that explore their family life in our cultural climate; young people travel to different countries (and mythological worlds!) to find themselves, while the "Queer Eye" team travels to New Orleans to help others come alive again.
Netflix delivers both the elegant world of Queen Charlotte's "Bridgerton" romance, and the messy love lives of five couples in an exclusively queer edition of their reality show "The Ultimatum." But it's not all fun and games on our screens in May: We've also got thrills, kills, and coordinated arson! Happy Streaming!
"Moonage Daydream"
We're opening with a recommendation for a film you can watch right now — something majestic and dreamy, surreal and invigorating. "Moonage Daydream" is less a documentary and more an extension of queer icon David Bowie's creative mind, body, and spirit, as told through archive footage from his incredible life.
"Moonage Daydream" is now streaming on HBO Max.
"The Other Two" Season 3
The most narcissistic family on TV is back! Cary Dubek (Drew Tarver), the brother named in hit song "My Brother's Gay And That's Okay!" by teen sensation Chase Dreamz, and his sister Brooke (Heléne Yorke) continue to navigate life as the less successful siblings to their wildly popular, insanely adorable younger brother. Brooke is uncomfortable with how people perceive her work as a talent manager; Cary is promoting his acting in a project filmed during COVID lockdown; and their iconic talk show host mom, Pat (Molly Shannon), really needs her relationship with her kids to be normal. All our favorite guest stars return for another super gay, truly hilarious season!
"The Other Two" Season 3 premieres May 4 on HBO Max.
"Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" Season 1
This is the story behind the queen who rules in Netflix romance hit "Bridgerton." Out actor Golda Rosheuvel (who we know as the Queen in "Bridgerton") is in this series as well, playing her adult royal self, while India Amarteifio stars as the young, determined, feisty Queen Charlotte. When did Queen Charlotte come to the palace? Why did she fall in love? How did her marriage change the court and culture? And what of her relationship with Lady Danbury? All shall be revealed in this swoony tale of an arranged marriage turned love story. The producers have hinted at more inclusive representation of the queerness we crave in the series, so here's hoping for some good gay fun in this highly anticipated origin story.
"Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" premieres May 4 on Netflix.
"Hannah Gadsby: Something Special"
Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby, whose multi-award-winning special "Nannette" pushed the boundaries of discussing trauma on stage, returns to Netflix since speaking out against the streamer's support of Dave Chappelle. Gadsby has shared that they are "looking to broaden the scope of opportunities for genderqueer performers from around the globe, as well as expand the diversity of offerings to audiences on one of comedy's biggest platforms." "Something Special" is their first feel-good romantic comedy show, in which they discuss their life since getting married (complete with taking down homophobic bakers) and navigating queer domestic bliss.
"Hannah Gadsby: Something Special" premieres May 9 on Netflix.
"City on Fire" Season 1
Based on the novel of the same name, "City on Fire" is a thrilling interconnected drama about the death of Samantha ("Bodies Bodies Bodies" star Chase Sui Wonders), an NYU student who was shot in Central Park on the fourth of July 2003, in a situation that left very little evidence and no witnesses; her death is somehow crucially connected to a series of fires that start all across the city. The investigation reveals her links to the downtown music scene, a rebellious movement, and "a wealthy uptown real estate family fraying under the strain of the many secrets they keep." The cast includes queer actor Nico Tortorella, "It" franchise star Wyatt Oleff, and Jemima Kirke ("Girls").
"City on Fire" premieres May 12 on AppleTV+.
"Queer Eye" Season 7
The Fab Five is back to change lives with emotional support, culinary tips, excellent interior design, self-care inspiration, and fun fashion moments. We'll witness the journeys of seven people as they learn that they are loved, empowered, and deserve the world. This season is set in New Orleans. We can't wait to see the glow-ups, enjoy the queer silliness, and watch as these wonderful people and their loved ones meet their brilliant, bright selves again.
"Queer Eye" season 7 premieres May 12 on Netflix.
"The Great" Season 3
This ridiculous, fantastic, chaotic show following the escapades of an ambitious young Catherine (Elle Fanning) after she comes to Russia to marry Peter III (Nicholas Hoult), returns for another delightful, messy-as-ever season. The extravagant costuming! The court gossip! The threat of uprisings! The marriage they simply cannot figure out! We're here for all of it, and we can't wait to see the many ways things will fall apart for these royals.
"The Great" season 3 premieres May 12 on Hulu.
"XO, Kitty" Season 1
A spin-off of the wildly successful "To All the Boys" rom-coms, "XO Kitty" follows Lara Jean Covey's younger sister, Kitty (Anna Cathcart) who embarks on an adventure to South Korea to join her long-distance boyfriend at high school in Seoul, where she learns things are not as picture perfect as she imagined they'd be. "XO Kitty" is giving warm, uplifting, fun but occasionally disastrous coming-of-age vibes, with the sweet comfort of a familiar franchise. This delightful, diverse cast features multiple queer side-characters, including "Love, Victor" actor Anthony Keyvan as Q, one of the school's only openly gay students.
"XO Kitty" premieres May 18 on Netflix.
"Muted"
"Elite" breakouts Arón Piper and Manu Ríos star in this tense thriller about a young man named Sergio (Piper) who hasn't spoken since he killed his parents six years ago. When Sergio is released early from prison, it seems that the police keep him under surveillance as part of a program to find out what really happened that night, and establish whether he is dangerous. When a young woman starts visiting Sergio at his house, the police convince her to secretly cooperate with their investigation; Ríos' character does his best to keep her away from Sergio, which escalates the threat of violence. It also looks like the psychologist leading the surveillance is attracted to Sergio, which certainly amps up the tension.
"Muted" premieres May 18 on Netflix.
"Wanda Sykes: I'm An Entertainer"
This hour-long special from comedy great and out icon Wanda Sykes will explore a host of topics including her experience raising Gen-Z teenagers and being a liberal in this hyper-political climate. "Wanda Sykes: I'm An Entertainer" will serve as a follow-up to Sykes' 2019 Netflix special, "Not Normal" which was nominated for two Emmy awards.
"Wanda Sykes: I'm An Entertainer" premieres May 23 on Netflix.
American Born Chinese" Season 1
"American Born Chinese" is perfect for fans of adventurous coming-of-age narratives with a dose of magic and a healthy helping of learning to embrace your heritage. Based on Gene Luen Yang's ground-breaking graphic novel, this show is a fun ride for the whole family, chronicling "the trials and tribulations of a regular American teenager whose life is forever changed when he befriends the son of a mythological god. This is the story of a young man's battle for his own identity, told through family, comedy, and action-packed Kung-Fu." Worlds collide as he helps his new friend stop an otherwordly uprising, meeting queer actor Stephanie Hsu and her fellow "Everything Everywhere All At Once" stars Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan along the way.
"American Born Chinese" Season 1 premieres May 24 on Disney+.
"Platonic" Season 1
Actors Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne reunite to lead this show about former best friends who reconnect after a long time apart. The duo getting back together sets the other parts of their lives into disarray, resulting in drama that will certainly hit the entertaining combination of hilarious and heartwarming that we've come to expect from Rogen and Byrne, especially when they work together. The limited series' ensemble cast includes out actor Luke Macfarlane alongside Tre Hale, Carla Gallo, and Andrew Lopez.
"Platonic" premieres May 24 on AppleTV+.
"The Ultimatum: Queer Love" Season 1
Netflix's "The Ultimatum" universe expands this month into a deeply queer landscape. The reality show's format features five couples who are at a crossroads in their relationship, and drops them into a situation where they are surrounded by people who they are compatible with. This season exclusively focuses on romances between women and nonbinary people, all of whom identify as queer. The scenario: One partner is ready to settle down; The other, each for their own assorted reasons, is not so sure they want to commit. Whether that be uncertainty about the idea of marriage, or doubt that the person they're with is a forever fit, they'll explore and unpack that... or maybe they'll fall in love with someone else.
"The Ultimatum: Queer Love" Season 1 premieres May 24 on Netflix.