Eight underrated lesbian TV characters

Authentic lesbian representation in television can often be difficult to come by. Though LGBTQ+ representation in general seems to be steadily improving in TV and film, there’s still a lot of progress to be made in properly representing the lesbian community. In celebration of Lesbian Visibility Week, here’s a list of eight lesbian characters who are helping pave the way to a more inclusive standard of representation.

Bill Potts (Doctor Who)

With a 60-year history of LGBTQ+ writers and a large queer fanbase, it may come as a surprise that the first openly gay companion character in Doctor Who only arrived on our screens in 2017, with the adorable Bill Potts.

Various other LGBTQ+ characters have featured in the show of course (e.g, the 51st century pansexual Captain Jack Harkness, who went on to lead the very queer spin-off Torchwood), but this marked the first time that a lesbian character played a full-time assistant to the lead role. Pearl Mackie’s portrayal of Bill Potts is nothing short of heartwarming. Her inquisitive nature, her keenness for adventure, and her intrinsic kindness are just some of the qualities that made Whovians fall in love with her straight away.

With time travel still playing a predominant role, the show sensitively tackles how a black lesbian navigates historic periods, whilst also keeping in tune with the natural positive and family-friendly outlook Doctor Who provides. Coupled with Peter Capaldi’s incarnation, the Twelfth Doctor, this teacher and student duo made for one of the most wholesome and enjoyable relationships in the show’s 60 years.

Judy Kubrak (Pose)

Pose is full of some of the most incredible, empowering queer characters in television history. Though it predominantly tells the stories of bold, magnificent trans women leading the queer revolution in the 1980s, it also shines a spotlight on various members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Among them is Nurse Judy Kubrak, close friend of lead character Pray Tell and firm ally to the trans community. This character portrays the unbreakable, rigid bond between lesbians and gay men in the 1980s, and how they helped each other throughout the AIDS crisis. Sandra Bernhard plays Judy with such poignant feeling, beautifully representing thousands of relationships from such a difficult time for the queer community. Though the show often focuses elsewhere, those moments between Judy and Pray Tell remain some of the most memorable and impactful moments of the show.

Lana Winters (American Horror Story)

American Horror Story isn’t the sort of show to watch if you want the characters to have a fun time. Usually, they tend to find themselves experiencing something traumatizing and generally rather horrifying. Lana Winters (Sarah Paulson) is no exception to this rule, in perhaps one of the most intense character storylines in the show.

From the second series American Horror Story: Asylum, Lana is an investigative journalist in the 1960s looking to report on the ethics of mental institution Briarcliff Manor. However, upon arriving at the establishment, she finds herself kept there due to her sexuality, and must find a way to escape. This series is not particularly for the faint-hearted, but anyone looking for a tense thriller with a lesbian lead need look no further than this.

Nomi Marks (Sense8)

Sense8 is another show with prominent LGBTQ+ representation throughout its main characters. Unafraid to portray various identities, it’s difficult to choose just one character to celebrate from this show – but Nomi (Jamie Clayton) and Amanita (Freema Agyeman) deserve particular praise.

Jamie Clayton’s character Nomi shines in a world that seeks to bring her down. With storylines focusing on both transphobia and lesbophobia, and how she battles them with the help of her soulmate Amanita, this character is not one to mess with. One of the more unique characters on this list, the journey Nomi goes on is a rollercoaster to watch unfurl – but is especially adorable due to her romance with Agyeman’s character.

Moira Strand (The Handmaid’s Tale)

The Handmaid’s Tale offers a terrifying glimpse into an alternate reality where fertility is at an all-time low, causing America to be taken over by a far-right religious totalitarian government called Gilead. Elisabeth Moss plays June Osborne, a woman forced to take the role of a Handmaid, and bear children for the leaders of the regime. Fighting for freedom alongside her is Moira Stand, who must hide her lesbian identity as Gilead has forbidden LGBTQ+ identities of any kind.

Naturally, this horrifying scenario inspires immeasurable rage in every viewer. So, it’s the struggle for justice that keeps people watching – and Moira is right at the heart of it. Samira Wiley portrays this fight with such brutal honesty and a unique depth that resonates with the show’s huge audience. Seeing how Moira consistently rejects the fascist system and spends every single day trying to help her friends only makes her all the more admirable, in a show that bleeds courage with every episode.

Caroline Dawson (Last Tango in Halifax)

Last Tango in Halifax is a much overlooked, heartwarming show about all different kinds of love. Centering around Alan and Celia, two elderly star-crossed lovers who are given another chance later in life, the story also focuses heavily on the character of Caroline Dawson. Played expertly by Sarah Lancashire, Caroline plays a divorced mother of two, who is quickly coming to the realization that she identifies as a lesbian.

Sally Wainwright’s knack for real, gritty characters matches this storyline perfectly, when Caroline starts her journey into experiencing romantic connections with women for the first time. With topics including the struggle of being in the closet, the impact of coming out in later years, and difficult family conversations, the writing and performance of Caroline is beyond underrated considering the level of detail put into it.

Suki and Eve (EastEnders)

EastEnders has received praise for the romance of Suki Panesar and Eve Unwin, who took part in the show's first ever lesbian wedding. Their complex relationship explores themes of love, identity, and acceptance amid the challenges of family dynamics and societal expectations.

The portrayal of Suki, a South Asian matriarch who only recently came out, alongside Eve, an out and proud lesbian lawyer, offers a refreshing narrative that highlights the intricacies of queer relationships within diverse cultural backgrounds. EastEnders not only adds depth to its storytelling but also encourages greater visibility and understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences, contributing positively to the portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships in media.

Tara and Darcy (Heartstopper)

By now, most LGBTQ+ people with access to the internet will have heard of Heartstopper. Telling the heartwarming romance story between Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor), as well as supplying excellent trans representation with the wonderful Elle (Yasmin Finney), this show made groundbreaking moves for LGBTQ+ representation in family-friendly TV.

On top of all that, there is the understated yet beautiful story following Tara (Corinna Brown) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell), friends of Elle. With many incredible moments, including a showstopping kiss scene and a down-to-earth discussion about oh-too-relatable insecurities, Tara and Darcy’s story may not have as much screentime as Charlie and Nick, but it’s equally as adorable to watch unfold.