The Best TV Shows with Authentic Bisexual Representation

By Dylan Mann-Hazell, Content and marketing Intern at myGwork

Though diverse representation in television is steadily improving, it can still be quite a struggle to find fictional characters that bisexual people can truly relate to. The negative stereotypes many bi people face in society can often be found replicated in the way bisexual characters are written in fiction. In celebration of Bisexual Visibility Month, and in rejection of those stereotypes, here is a list of the most authentic bisexual characters in television shows:

Heartstopper – Nick Nelson (Kit Connor)

When Netflix announced its adaptation of the beloved graphic novel series Heartstopper, there was already a buzz of excitement from its keen fanbase. Despite this, the sheer global success of the series upon its release seemed to take everybody by surprise.

Telling a sweet story of young love and following the internal struggle a lot of LGBTQ+ people still face as teenagers, this rom-com series features identities across the community. Nick Nelson’s journey of self-discovery and the steady acceptance of his bisexuality is a particular highlight, amounting to some very heartwarming scenes with his mother (played by the wonderful Olivia Colman). Anyone interested in a light-hearted, uplifting escape should try this adorable coming-of-age story.

Feel Good – Mae (Mae Martin)

Decent bisexual representation in the media is difficult to come by. Bisexual non-binary representation is almost non-existent. Thankfully, comedian Mae Martin came through with their semi-autobiographical Channel 4/Netflix series Feel Good to save the day. The show follows lead character Mae through their struggles with addiction, their social awkwardness, and their attempts at romantic endeavours.

It is always incredibly refreshing to have authentic portrayals of LGBTQ+ experiences, and for those portrayals to come from a place of understanding and genuine relatability for the community. For too long, the film and TV industries have had cisgender heterosexual writers presume to understand the mentality and experience of LGBTQ+ people. Feel Good is a long overdue departure from this, with diverse identities at the heart of its creation.

Killing Eve – Villanelle (Jodie Comer)

In 2018, Phoebe Waller-Bridge gifted television with one of the most renowned sapphic love stories of our time – Villanelle and Eve. If you think you would enjoy a slow-build romance, palpable tension, and Jodie Comer playing an unstable, fashionable assassin, this might just be the show for you.

Though Villanelle seems to lack the humanity, much less the empathy skills needed for genuine romance, she nevertheless expresses lust for various side characters throughout the show’s four seasons, especially with women. Her deep fascination with the lead character Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) drives the series’ narrative and, as you might guess from the show’s title, evolves into a rather unique set of circumstances for the couple.

Torchwood – Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd)

For a show that came out in 2006, Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood was groundbreaking for its representation – though perhaps this is unsurprising, given the man who wrote it. Russell T Davies, the prominent gay writer who contributed the likes of Queer as Folk and It’s a Sin, aimed to normalize a range of identities in this series, and succeeded. Every main character has a same-sex encounter at some point, with various romantic and intimate scenes between LGBTQ+ characters. Yet, brilliantly, sexuality and identity are not remotely the main focus of this camp science-fiction series. They just happen to be a part of it.

Loveable office boy Ianto Jones shows an interest in both women and men throughout the series, ultimately leading to a romantic partnership with main character Captain Jack Harkness. His development from shy and timid to confident and self-assured is a beautiful journey to watch, earning him a spot on this list.

EastEnders – Ash Panesar (Gurlaine Kaur Garcha)

Many TV dramas are heading into a more inclusive way of storytelling nowadays, and all those classic soap operas are not an exception. With various LGBTQ+ characters from different backgrounds and faiths, the BBC’s long-running show EastEnders is currently thriving in its portrayal of a diverse range of personalities. Character development is at the heart of the show, as well as the relationships everyone has with their family and friends, which makes it a particularly interesting from an LGBTQ+ perspective.

Ash Panesar is an out-and-proud bisexual woman who has had to overcome prejudice and rejection from her mother Suki. In 2019, the show delved into the controversy surrounding her romantic relationship with a woman, Iqra, and the effect it had on her deeply religious family. Though the older stories are difficult to catch up on given the frequency of episodes released, Ash recently returned to Albert Square after a break and the character is expected to play a more prominent role in the coming months, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for her!

Cucumber – Freddie Baxter (Freddie Fox)

Another creation from screenwriter Russell T Davies, Freddie Baxter is the brazen, unapologetic 24-year-old who plays a pivotal role in Channel 4’s Cucumber. The series follows the lives of a group of middle-aged gay men who long to relive their youthful experiences, with Freddie acting as a living beacon of temptation and desire.

This series provides a rare insight into a destructive side of the gay male community, including ageism, body-shaming and toxic masculinity. The depiction of Freddie’s sexual freedom and confidence in his bisexuality, in comparison to the hesitancy and strict nature of the older characters, is Davies’ way of portraying both the similarities and striking differences in the LGBTQ+ experience across generations.

The Boys – Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligott)

The representation of bisexuality in fictional characters still has a long way to go, with many portrayals still feeding into unhealthy stereotypes and damaging conventions. It is important to note, however, that many of the characters on this list came from television shows within the last few years, indicating a growth in the way TV writers are portraying this overlooked identity. Hopefully we may see many more characters that can be added to lists like these in the near future.