6 Queer Space Operas To Watch Now That ‘Obi-Wan’ Is Over

Yesterday, the latest adventures of Star Wars’ ultimate will-they-won’t-they couple, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader (or is that just my headcanon?), came to their conclusion with an epic head-to-head battle. We won’t get into spoiler territory, but let’s just say it left us wanting more space opera action — only this time much more queer. 

Good news: That exists. So, here are six super gay series set (at least partially) in space to satisfy your post-Obi-Wan sci-fi cravings. 

‘Star Trek: Discovery’

Star Trek has always pushed the boundaries of representation, but with Star Trek: Discovery, the franchise boldly went gay, gay, gay. It featured the first out gay couple in Lt. Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) and Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz) and even managed to avoid that whole,“bury your gays” trope (although it did look dicey for a moment).

The series also introduced non-binary and trans characters Adira (Blu del Barrio) and Gray Tal (Ian Alexander) in season two. The series stars out actor Mary Wiseman as Lieutenant Silvia Tilly and Tig Notaro herself shows up to steal every scene she’s in as the queer Commander Jett Reno. So, yeah this show is a must-see.

 Available to stream on Paramount+.

‘Dark Matter’

The crew of a starship awakes suddenly from stasis with no memory of who they are or why they’re there. Instead of names, they refer to each other by a number based on the order in which they awoke. As you can imagine, a big part of the show is about figuring out who they are and discovering their back stories. And wouldn’t you know it, one of them is queer.

Available to stream on Netflix.

‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’

Queer joy abounds aboard the Waverider, aka the ship the heroes of Legends of Tomorrow fly through both space and time aboard to engage in all their wacky hijinks. Led by the bisexual captain Sara Lance (Caity Lotz) this crew of misfits was recruited to fight threats that would disrupt the timeline — which gives them ample opportunity to get into some queer mischief — especially when bisexual occultist John Constantine (Matt Ryan) joins the cast starting in season three. There are stuffed animal cults, possessed puppets, nipple-eating unicorns, and lots and lots of same-sex lovin’.

Available to stream on Netflix.

‘She-Ra and the Princesses of Power’

You may be wondering what a fantasy series is doing on this list, but here’s the thing: Much of the action in the later seasons of this super-gay animated series does take place in space, so we’re counting it. Also, it’s just so incredible we can’t resist including it.

In the series, Adora is a teen soldier who discovers she might be fighting for the wrong side — I mean, wouldn’t the name The Horde be kind of a hint? — and joins up with the rebellion instead. In the process, she leaves behind her best friend, Catra, who doesn’t take it well. If you think there might be sexual tension in her rage, well, let’s just say you’re not wrong.

The show also boasts a ton of other LGBTQ+ representation and the “Princess Prom” episode, well, that’s just a queer classic in the making.

Available to stream on Netflix.

‘Picard’

Picard picks up the story of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s beloved Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) when he’s forced to come out of retirement to help a stranger. While the show in general is pretty great, what makes it a queer must-see is the surprise romance between one of its new characters, Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd), and one of the franchise’s all-time fan favorites Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan). Yep, that’s right, everyone’s favorite reformed Borg is a canonically bisexual and we love to see it.

Available to stream on Paramount+.

‘Farscape’

While Farscape might not have any specifically LGBTQ+ characters, boy is this show queer and kinky — I mean, just look at all that leather alone.

The show follows Earth astronaut John Crichton after he is flung across the universe during an experiment. He finds himself on a living ship alongside a group of escaped alien prisoners — and yes, there are creations from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop along for the ride too.

Unlike Star Trek, which can be a little more, shall we say, buttoned-up, Farscape is pure camp and pansexual wildness. In space, who has time for taboos?

Available to stream on Prime Video.