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While SheWired covers American and Canadian series that feature lesbian characters, we’re not always privvie to the gay ladies of UK television. But UK-based writer Steph Mann has devised a quick and handy list of the UKs five must-watch, Netflix, Hulu or YouTube shows with lesbians.
Clare Balding
Not a TV series, but she has become a national treasure. After presenting the Olympics, Clare was sort of thrust into more fame. She has had a long career as a broadcaster and presenter beforehand, but the nation fell in love with her during the Olympics. If Clare is on it, I guarantee lesbians are watching it.
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4) Upstairs Downstairs (2012)
Not a drama solely about lesbians, but representation of lesbian characters in a mainstream TV show is worth a mention. Set in the 1930s, the show tells the story of the love affair between Alex Kingston’s Dr. Blanche Mottershead and Emilia Fox’s Lady Portia Alresford. The characters are aristocracy nonetheless!
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3) Coronation Street (2010)
Actress’s Brooke Vincent (plays Sophie) and Sacha Parkinson (plays Sian) were featured in the Street’s first lesbian plot. The18-year-olds fell in love, but it ended in heartache and one being jilted. Who knows what the future holds!
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2) Sarah Water’s Novels adapted for TV
Tipping the Velvet (2002)
A BBC adaptation of Sarah’s book. Nan falls in love with Kitty, who is a male impersonator. With dildos galore, sex, love all set in the Victorian era, if you haven’t seen this, buy the DVD.
Fingersmith (2005)
A BBC mini-series set in 1862, Fingersmith follows the lives of 2 women from very different backgrounds. With webs of lies and love, this series conceals a great twist and is well worth a view.
The Night Watch (2006_
Set in London in the 1940s, following the stories of 4 local women during the war. A story of love and loss is told through a narrative as it moves back through time to reveal the story.
All of these were books adapted to TV. Read them!
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1) Lip Service (2010-?)
With Heather Peace, Natasha O’Keefe and Fiona Button, to name a few, in this talented cast, it is one to watch. With two seasons under its belt and an audience demanding a third, Lip Service has definitely been a hit. Love, lies and sex all set in the Scottish city of Glasgow -- what’s not to like? Apart from any Scottish accents of course! The first season felt awkward as we tried to compare it to The L Word, but the second season certainly brought Lip Service into its’ own and has a pretty big cult following.
