Nearly one third of LGBTQIA+ TV characters won’t be returning to the screens from next year

Close to a third of the LGBTQIA+ characters that are currently on TV in the US will not be returning, says a new report released by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

According to GLAAD, of the 596 LGBTQIA+ characters it counted across the network and streaming platforms, 175 (29 per cent) will not be returning to the screen because of “series cancellations, endings, miniseries/anthology format, or a character dying or leaving the show”.

The report’s findings, which have been taken from the period between June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023, show that 140 of these characters won’t be returning because of series cancellations.

Sarah Kate Ellis, chief executive of GLAAD, said the drop in numbers was “disappointing”.

“The medium of television is constantly in flux, with series cancellations, media consolidation, scheduling shifts,” said Ellis. “Within these conversations, it is clear that inclusive storytelling needs to be a priority across all production companies and networks rather than disproportionately relying on a select number of networks or individual creators.”

One of the main explanations for the drop in numbers, says the report, is the sale of The CW channel to media company Nexstar, after which several of its series, such as Batwoman, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl, were cancelled.

Three cable networks – The CW, FOX and ABC – represent half of the total of all LGBTQIA+ representation currently on US TV, and The CW has the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ characters on all the broadcast networks, with 14.8 per cent of its series regulars being queer.

“Programming executives should look to the success of The Last of Us, Abbott Elementary, Stranger Things, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Hacks, and more as an example of the favour they can win with audiences and critical acclaim by featuring unique and interesting LGBTQ storytelling,” said Ellis.

GLAAD includes LGBTQIA+ characters on Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix shows in its findings, as well as on main American TV channels, such as CBS, ABC and NBC. Last year the alliance started to also include Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, and Paramount+ in its count.

There were 596 LGBTQIA+ characters which GLAAD counted across all the platforms, and shows on streaming services featured 356 of these characters (both series regulars and recurring characters).

Of the 596 LGBTQIA+ characters across all networks, 51 per cent (304) were POC, 5.4 per cent (32) were transgender, and 4.5 per cent (27) had a disability.

Of all the streaming sites, Netflix has the most LGBTQIA+ characters in its shows, which GLAAD says makes sense given that it creates far more original content compared to other streaming sites.

The full report can be found here