Get ready for one of the biggest years in LGBTQIA television and film yet!
BY SCARLETT COUGHLAN, IMAGE BY HBO MAX
Brand new romantic thrillers with KStew. Remakes of queer classics. The return of our favourite sapphic shows. 2024 is going to bring lots of quality queer content to the big and small screens. And we’re not going to let you miss any of it. Here’s a list of the films and series to watch out for this year.
True Detective: Night Country
True Detective will return to our screens with a fourth season on 15 January. Set in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska, the drama series delves into the disappearance of eight men from a research station. It also promises an enemies-to-lovers story between queer icon Jodie Foster, playing detective Liz Danvers, and her fellow detective Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis). Sapphic and spooky.
Mean Girls
We know, we haven’t shut up about this one – and we’re not going to. All of our dreams will finally come true on 17 January, when the much-anticipated (like, 20-years anticipated) Mean Girls musical movie comes to UK cinemas. Based on the Broadway interpretation of the cult classic, Angourie Rice will star as Cady Heron, with Renée Rapp as Regina George. We have a feeling it’s going to be gayer than ever and we’re practically on the edge of our seats!
The Color Purple
Based on Alice Walker’s 1982 classic novel, The Color Purple is returning to UK cinemas on 26 January. This remake has a lot to live up to, with Spielberg’s 1985 original – starring Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg – being nominated for an eye-watering 11 Oscars. With the lesbian plot line being watered down in the first imagining, the 2024 film promises to be loud and proud. It also features some huge names, including Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, H.E.R. and Halle Bailey.
Drive-Away Dolls
Coming to the big screen on 15 March, the story follows Jamie (Margaret Qualley) – who is lamenting yet another breakup with a girlfriend – and her friend Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan), who just needs a bloody break. In search of a fresh start, they set off on a road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go wrong when they cross paths with a group of criminals.
![DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS - Official Trailer [HD] - Only In Theaters February 23](https://i0.wp.com/i.ytimg.com/vi/Oy0RYiQRWUk/hqdefault.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)
The Boys season four
Slated for early-to-mid 2024, The Boys will be returning for a fourth season. Known for its up-to-date LGBTQIA representation, the next instalment of the show will see Victoria Neuman (Claudia Doumit) closer than ever to the Oval Office. Meanwhile, Butcher (Karl Urban) will work to win the rest of the team over in a bid to save the world. There are also strong suggestions that season four will also debut the son of queer icon Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligott).
Love Lies Bleeding
A brand new romantic thriller by Saint Maud director Rose Glass. It stars Kristen Stewart as Lou, a gym employee, who falls for Jackie (Katy O’Brian), a bisexual bodybuilder. Giving us a rare insight into the world of female bodybuilding, the film also explores the dark side of love as the pair’s romance pulls them into a web of violence and criminality. The film will premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, and is set to hit screens on 19 April.
The Sex Lives of College Girls season three
Our favourite roommates return to explore life, love and – of course – sex in a third season of The Sex Lives of College Girls. While we’ll be seeing Amrit Kaur, Pauline Chalamet and Alyah Chanelle Scott back at Essex College in – we think – Spring 2024, Renée Rapp has revealed she won’t be back for another semester (cry).
The Ultimatum: Queer Love season two
While there’s no set release date for this one, the most iconic queer reality show of 2023 is rumoured to return in Spring 2024. If you haven’t seen the first season – in which case, what are you doing? – it follows five women and non-binary people who offer their partners an ultimatum. With the choice to break up or leave as fiancées, each of the pairs re-couple and embark on a trial marriage with a new partner. The logic is somewhat lacking, however, the cup of entertainment overfloweth.
Hacks season three
Who else has missed Hacks? The comedy-drama series follows the friendship between stand-up comedian Deborah (Jean Smart) and a bisexual young comedy writer, Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), who never shuts up about her ex-girlfriend. Season three promises an exploration of Deborah’s success alongside Ava’s career journey – plus way more overt queerness. While you wait for the new season in spring 2024, you can catch up with the first two on Prime Video.
Bridgerton season three
The Bridgerton gods are keeping us on our toes with a two-part release of season three this year. With the first part premiering on 16 May and the second arriving on 13 June, we may be left hanging for longer but, hey, having something to look forward to never hurts. Season three will also focus on Penelope Featherington, played by fan-favourite Nicola Coughlan – yay!
Inside Out 2
Coming to cinemas on 14 June, Pixar favourite Inside Out is returning with a sequel. As Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) becomes a teenager, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust are joined by a new emotion. When Anxiety – voiced by queer actor Maya Hawke – shows up, no one knows how to feel. And neither will we when we’re hit with that bittersweet dose of nostalgia for those tricky teen days.
House of the Dragon season two
Slated for summer 2024, the Game of Thrones spin-off will return to bring more fantastical dragons, warfare and Targaryen drama to our screens. The first season saw plenty of sultry sapphic energy between Princess Rhaenerya Targaryen (Milly Alcock) and Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey). In the second season, the actors will be replaced by non-binary actor Emma D’Arcy as the older Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, with Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower. While the actors may have changed, the queer undertones aren’t going anywhere.
Deadpool 3
We don’t know very much about Deadpool 3 – including its official name. What we do know is Hugh Jackman will return as Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds will play Wade Wilson. But more importantly, our favourite non-binary actor Emma Corrin is making their Marvel debut with the film. It’ll come to UK cinemas on 26 July.
Borderlands
Slated for 9 August, Borderlands is a sci-fi action-comedy film, based on the video game of the same name. Set on planet Pandora, it features a criminal alliance, crazy scientists and wisecracking robots. Best of all, though, it features lesbian icon Cate Blanchett as the infamous outlaw protagonist. Sign us up.
Joker: Folie à Deux
The Joker is returning with a sequel! And it stars bisexual actor and singer Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn! Dreams do come true. Hitting the big screen in October, Folie à Deux will inevitably explore mental illness, with the title translating as ‘madness of two’ (i.e. shared mental illness) from French. We don’t know a lot else about the plot, other than it’s going to be bloody amazing. Catch it in cinemas from 4 October.
Arcane season two
With its first season winning the 2022 Emmy for Outstanding Animated Programme, Arcane is slated to return in November 2024. The animated series is set in battling twin cities Piltover and Zaun and follows two sisters who fight on rival sides of the war. One sister, Vi (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld), embarks on an – albeit discreet – romance with fellow lead Caitlyn (Katie Leung). Despite the sapphic subtleties, the show has a huge following in the queer community. Something different to try if you haven’t already.
The Umbrella Academy season four
This year, The Umbrella Academy returns for its fourth and final season. With just six episodes, it will be the show’s shortest season. There’s no confirmed date yet but there is some good news – Viktor, the character of iconic trans actor Elliot Page, will be returning for the curtain call.
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