Eight LGBTQ2 movies and TV shows to look out for in 2019

No disrespect to 2018 but 2019 is shaping to be a better year to live louder and celebrate our best queer selves, especially if we look at LGBTQ2 representation in the media.

You don’t believe me? Well, here are eight queer and queer-friendly films and TV shows to look out for this year — and yes, you should be glad you said thank u, next to 2018.

1. Good Trouble

Fans of The Fosters rejoice! The spin-off series, Good Trouble, picks up where The Fosters left off. The series follows Callie (Maia Mitchell) and Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) as they move from their San Diego suburb to the land of the rich and famous: Los Angeles. But what makes this spin-off exciting is that their apartment manager and acting house mother, Alice Kwan (Sherry Cola) is a closeted Asian-American lesbian.

This comes the year after GLAAD’s report found that Asian and/or Pacific Islanders make up 8 percent of LGBTQ2 regular and recurring characters on TV broadcast series. If Good Trouble alone is not enough to be excited about, Jennifer Lopez is one of the show’s executive producers, and it’s directed by and Jon M Chu of Crazy Rich Asians. The series premiered Jan 8 on Global, so it’s not too late to catch up.

2. Rent: Live

Okay, hold your wigs folks, because Rent: Live is coming to our small screens on Jan 27. The latest iteration of Jonathan Larson’s beloved musical stars Vanessa Hudgens, Kiersey Clemons and RuPaul’s Drag Race’s alumna Valentina. I don’t know about you but I’m ready to sing along with the cast. Cue: “Seasons of Love” — and tears.

3. Russian Doll

Natasha Lyonne, who plays the beloved lesbian Nicky Nichols on Orange Is The New Black, co-creates and stars in Netflix’s Russian Doll. In an interview with the New York Times, Lyonne said the series is an “existential adventure show” about an inescapable New York City party.

Why inescapable? Well, it’s a time loop story around Nadia (Lyonne), who finds herself sent back to a specific time after being hit by car. I think time loop stories are interesting (well, most of the time). But if you’re not interested in stories like this, I still suggest checking out Russian Doll because it’s created by an all-female writing team and directed by a badass lesbian, Jamie Babbitt. So go on, support our queer sis and allies. Russian Doll premieres Feb 1.

4. Boomerang

This reboot of the 1992 film of the same name follows the children of the original story’s three stars. Some of the standout characters though, are Tia and Rocky. Tia (Lala Milan) is a classically trained dancer who wants to topple the patriarchy. She’s in a relationship with Rocky (Kimberly Hall), a lesbian with a dominant personality and a very protective girlfriend. The show is executive produced by Halle Berry and ultimate badass Lena Waithe. In an interview, Waithe said she “literally wants to change the face of BET [Black Entertainment Television]” with this reboot. The series premieres Feb 12 on BET and our bodies are ready!

5. Rocketman

Elton John. Good music. Fantasy. If those don’t tickle your imagination, I don’t know what else to say. This upcoming film stars Kingsman: The Secret Service’s Taron Egerton as Elton John. John’s life and career is immortalized through this fantastical biopic as it features his rise to fame as a gay music icon. The film hits theatres May 17 and we’ll be there to sing along.

6. Men in Black: International

Tessa Thompson takes a leading role — a fierce one at that. Men In Black: International takes place in London and Thompson plays Agent M, a new recruit to Men In Black after she spends 20 years tracking the organization down. She’s partnered with Chris Hemsworth and together they play the roles of alien-fighting agents previously held by Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith as members of secret organization Men In Black.

Thompson slayed queer girls’ hearts after starring opposite Janelle Monáe in Monáe’s 2018 narrative film, Dirty Computer. From emerging out of vagina pants to blessing us with her presence on the silver screen, Thompson best believe queer people will rush and support her as she struts in black suit-and-tie when Men in Black: International hits theatres June 14.

7. Batwoman

There are rumours that the CW’s Batwoman could potentially begin production in April 2019, with a potential mid-season premiere — and fans are shaking. Batwoman stars Ruby Rose as the titular character and the series will focus on the superhero’s adventures. In an interview, Rose said, “[Batwoman] is more fun because she’s a billionaire, she has ladies that love her.” Rose plays the first lesbian Batwoman and all our bat senses are activated as we anticipate new Batwoman-related announcements this year.

8. Magic Hour

Folks, listen to me. Pose’s Indya Moore is here to bring us LGBTQ2 representation we deserve. Moore serves as the executive producer of Magic Hour, a modern-day anthology sci-fi horror series. Think: Twilight Zone but fiercer.

The series is directed by Che Grayson with its first episode, a queer retelling of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. In an interview with The Mary Sue, Moore said “it’s really important that this show exists, because it’s going to cover themes that are really real fears that we have. But it’s also going to cover feelings that we have, that people may not understand outside of their own gaze, from their own cis-hetero experience.” Magic Hour will be available on Apple TV this year, and you best believe we’re waiting.