'Rizzoli and Isles' Totally Play Up Lesbian Chemistry for Fanbase

In the latest TV Guide cover story, subtly titled "Girlfriends Forever," the stars of TNT's women-centered detective drama Rizzoli and Isles openly admit that while the titular characters are technically straight, the writers, actors, ad managers are more than happy to play up the lesbian subtext between Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander. 

In addition to touting the upcoming fourth season, the TV Guide article teases couple-name "Rizzles" fans with these salacious tidbits: 

"From the beginning, that lively chemistry — along with the fact that the characters can’t maintain steady relationships – has some fans wondering whether there was more between Rizzoli and Isles than just dusting for fingerprints," reads the article...

"Alexander just smiles. 'There’s nothing gay about them,' she says. 'What’s gay? That Jane has a raspy voice?' " 

"Still. Harmon admits they do play up the tension sometimes. A poster for the new season features the women languidly stretched out together on a picnic blanket, for example. 'Sometimes we’ll do a take for that demo,' Harmon admits. 'I’ll brush by [Maura’s] blouse or maybe linger for a moment. As long as we’re not being accused of being homophobic, which is not in any way true and completely infuriating, I’m OK with it.' "

"The lesbian theory endlessly amuses me, and it amuses the cast," said writer Jane Tamaro in a 2011 interview with TV Guide. "Rizzoli and Isles have been heterosexual from the first episode, though there is no way I would want to interfere with my viewers' fantasy lives."

BuzzFeed recently named Rizzoli and Isles "the gayest nongay show on television," with a brilliant collection of not-so-subtle sapphic moments on the TNT drama. Even if you're unfamiliar with the show, you'll be able to see the chemistry between Harmon's detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Dr. Maura Isles. 

Follow SheWired on Twitter.

Follow SheWired on Facebook.