Yes, Netflix, I Was Still Watching
Despite the rise of LGBTQ+ sections on streaming platforms, many LGBTQ+ series face an uphill battle when it comes to longevity. A series' cultural significance and loyal fanbase often aren't enough to keep them from being axed after just one or two seasons. This trend has become especially noticeable on Netflix, which in late 2023 made waves by canceling several LGBTQ+ shows, raising larger questions about the industry's commitment to diverse storytelling and representation.
Netflix's Cancellations of LGBTQ+ Shows
In late 2023, Netflix canceled several LGBTQ+ series, including Glamorous, an influencer-driven drama that failed to secure a second season despite reaching Netflix’s Global Top 10 in 69 countries. Other notable cancellations included Q-Force (2021), an animated LGBTQ+ spy series; Smiley (2022), a Spanish romantic comedy; and Uncoupled (2022), which was later picked up by Showtime. These shows, despite enjoying dedicated fanbases, fell victim to a pattern of premature cancellations, sparking concern over the sustainability of LGBTQ+ content in the streaming world.
Viewership, Ratings, and the Realities of Cancellation
Even with solid viewership and positive reviews, many LGBTQ+ shows struggle on streaming platforms like Netflix, where cancellations often hinge on ratings rather than cultural impact. For example, Q-Force (2021) boasted a 78% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes but was canceled due to low ratings and limited viewership. Similarly, Uncoupled (2022), starring Neil Patrick Harris, was praised for its light-hearted take on dating in your 40s but faced cancellation in 2023 after struggling to maintain sustained viewership, despite earning a solid 73% from critics.
Smiley (2022), a Spanish romantic comedy, received a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and critical acclaim and recognition, including winning the 2023 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Spanish-Language Scripted Television Series and being nominated for the 2023 Queerties' Award for Best TV Comedy, yet it too was cut after just one season.
Its cancellation was somewhat expected since it was a limited series based on creator Guillem Clua’s play, leaving little room for further episodes despite its popularity. On the other hand, Glamorous (2023), which received mixed reviews and a mixed reception overall, was another casualty, failing to match its initial success with a second season.
The Bigger Picture: LGBTQ+ Shows Across Platforms
According to a January 2024 article from Gay Times, streaming platforms canceled 22 LGBTQ+ shows between 2022 and 2023, with Netflix accounting for nearly half of these. Shows like 1899, First Kill, Dead End: Paranormal Park, and Warrior Nun were among the cancellations that marked a blow to representation. Other networks also contributed to the trend: HBO axed Gentleman Jack and The Gossip Girl reboot, Showtime dropped The L Word: Generation Q, and Peacock canceled the Queer as Folk reboot.
In November 2023, Out published another list featuring 30 LGBTQ+ shows canceled that year. Netflix again topped the chart with cuts including Human Resources and Big Mouth, though the latter was planned to conclude after its eighth season. HBO Max added to its list with Los Espookys, Titans, Doom Patrol, and The Idol. Prime Video canceled A League of Their Own and The Peripheral, and platforms like Disney+, Fox, Syfy, and TNT dropped single titles, often eliminating key representation.
Analyzing the data, Netflix accounted for approximately 30% of LGBTQ+ show cancellations from 2022 to 2023, leading the pack. HBO Max followed with 16.3%, while The CW represented 9.3%. Platforms like Hulu, Disney+, and Syfy each contributed smaller shares. While some of these shows may have featured queer characters rather than centering on queer narratives, their cancellation marked a significant blow to much-needed representation.
The Gendered Disparities in LGBTQ+ Cancellations
LGBTQ+ series cancellations disproportionately affect shows focused on queer women. Research by Sarah Clement, a contributor for Them, found that 21 of the 30 LGBTQ+ shows canceled recently centered on queer women characters. This pattern persists despite a broader rise in LGBTQ+ representation, especially on broadcast TV.
GLAAD's 2021–2022 "Where We Are on TV" report highlighted a 2.8% increase in LGBTQ+ characters on broadcast TV, but this gain has not been mirrored in streaming platforms, where lesbian representation, in particular, has seen a marked decline. Some critics, such as Clement, point to issues of misogyny, lesbophobia, and marketing strategies that prioritize white, straight male audiences as key factors contributing to the erasure of queer women from TV screens.
For example, First Kill (2022) suffered from poor marketing, which narrowly focused on its lesbian romance rather than its broader narrative, despite being a hit with audiences. Similarly, Gentleman Jack (2019) struggled with poor time-slot placement and a lack of promotion on HBO Max, which stifled its ability to attract a wider audience in the U.S.
Declining Representation on Broadcast TV
According to GLAAD's "Where We Are on TV" report for the 2023–2024 season, there has been a notable decrease in LGBTQ+ representation on broadcast television. The report identifies 39 LGBTQ+ series regulars across 64 primetime scripted series on major broadcast networks, marking a 44% decline from the previous year's 70 characters. This reduction brings the percentage of LGBTQ+ series regulars to 8.6%, the lowest since the 2017–2018 season.
The overall number of series regulars also decreased to 454 from 659 in the prior season, a 31% drop. GLAAD attributes part of this decline to the impact of industry strikes, which halted production and affected programming schedules.
This downward trend in representation is concerning, especially considering the progress made in previous years. It highlights the need for renewed efforts to ensure diverse and inclusive storytelling that accurately reflects the LGBTQ+ community.
Netflix’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Controversies
In addition to the high number of cancellations, Netflix has drawn criticism for controversies that have raised questions about its commitment to LGBTQ+ content. The platform faced significant backlash in 2021 following the release of The Closer, a stand-up special by Dave Chappelle, which included transphobic remarks that many feared could incite violence against the trans community.
Despite concerns raised by transgender employees about the potential for harm to the trans community, Netflix executives defended the special, prompting a walkout by 150 employees. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos later admitted mishandling his initial response to employee concerns but defended the special, stating it wasn’t intended to cause harm.
Chappelle's remarks resurfaced in December 2023 with his special The Dreamer, which reignited controversy as he continued to make problematic statements about transgender people and individuals with disabilities.
In addition, Netflix faced criticism after a 2021 investigation revealed that senior executive Diego Avalos had used anti-LGBTQ+ language in meetings. Despite the findings, Avalos retained his position, which further questioned the company's commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Netflix's failure to address these issues contributed to its exclusion from the 2022 Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index, despite its strong LGBTQ+ employee policies.
The platform also came under fire for releasing Ricky Gervais' stand-up special SuperNature in May 2022, which included inflammatory jokes about trans women, AIDS, and other marginalized groups. The controversy garnered less media attention compared to Chappelle's special, and Netflix did not publicly address the backlash. Similarly, the release of Shane Gillis' special Beautiful Dogs in 2023, despite his history of racist and homophobic remarks, raised concerns about Netflix's consistent pattern of platforming harmful content under the guise of comedy.
At the same time, Netflix's approach to LGBTQ+ series has drawn criticism for inconsistency. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos justified the platform's cancellation of LGBTQ+ shows by claiming that Netflix never cancels "successful" series. Instead, he explained that shows with smaller audiences but large budgets often get the axe, despite their cultural impact. This rationale was met with backlash, especially as some of the canceled shows, such as Warrior Nun and First Kill, were praised by audiences and critics alike, demonstrating a disconnect between Netflix's stated priorities and its actions.
The Call for Change and Support for LGBTQ+ Content Creators
As Netflix continues to face scrutiny over its handling of LGBTQ+ content, advocates argue that it’s essential to support LGBTQ+ creators and shows in new ways. Viewers can take action by watching canceled LGBTQ+ shows, leaving positive reviews on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes, and staying engaged with new queer content. Supporting LGBTQ+ creators—whether through social media, podcasts, or other platforms—is key to ensuring that authentic representation continues to thrive.
While canceling subscriptions may seem like a quick fix, it's crucial for LGBTQ+ viewers to remain vocal, proactive, and engaged in movements aimed at holding streaming platforms accountable. The entertainment industry needs to do more than just capitalize on LGBTQ+ content during Pride Month; it must make a long-term commitment to meaningful representation both in front of and behind the camera.
Now more than ever, the LGBTQ+ community needs to stay united in fostering inclusivity and advocating for diverse narratives that reflect its full spectrum.
And remember: every day is all we have, so you've got to make your own happiness.
For more information on this topic, listen to Episode 98. Dear Netflix: Stop Cancelling Our Queer Shows.
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