Queer as Folk (2000 TV series)

Did You Know?

• The series was set in Pittsburgh but almost all Liberty Avenue scenes were filmed in Toronto's Church and Wellesley area.
• Pittsburgh was chosen as the closest parallel to the UK series' industrial setting of Manchester, England.
• The show's Greek title was "Anamesa Mas" (Between Us).

Cast and characters

Gale Harold portrays Brian Kinney, a 29-year-old advertising executive who lives for casual sex and initially rejects emotional attachment, though he eventually falls in love with Justin Taylor. Randy Harrison plays Justin Taylor, a teenager who loses his virginity to Brian and later becomes a visual artist after coming out and being queer-bashed. Hal Sparks appears as Michael Novotny, Brian's best friend who harbors unrequited love for him. The British counterparts are Aidan Gillen as Stuart Alan Jones, Charlie Hunnam as Nathan Maloney, and Craig Kelly as Vince Tyler.

Justin is nicknamed "Sunshine" by Debbie, Michael's mother, due to his bright smile. Brian later builds his own advertising agency, Kinnetik, named by Justin. Brian's motto regarding straight people is: "There are two kinds of straight people in the world, those that hate you to your face and those who hate you behind your back."

Plot

The series begins with Brian picking up Justin at a gay club and having sex with him, leading to a lasting relationship. That same night, Brian fathers a son, Gus, with Lindsay through artificial insemination. Michael's unrequited love for Brian drives much of the story, which he occasionally narrates. Justin's coming out affects Brian and Michael's friendship, as Justin is only 17.

Justin and Michael later co-create the underground comic Rage, featuring a gay superhero based on Brian. Brian's son Gus, raised by Lindsay and her partner Melanie, becomes a focus in episodes about parental rights. Ted, an accountant, and Emmett begin as friends but briefly become lovers; Ted later becomes addicted to crystal meth after losing his job. In season four, Brian starts his own agency after losing his job for opposing an anti-gay client, and he secretly treats testicular cancer.

Michael marries HIV-positive professor Ben Bruckner, and they adopt a teenage son, Hunter, who is also HIV-positive. Melanie and Lindsay's relationship is tumultuous, with each cheating and separating for much of seasons four and five; Melanie is impregnated by Michael in season three.

Cultural implications

Queer as Folk became the number one show on Showtime's roster, initially marketed to gay and lesbian audiences but attracting many heterosexual women. The first episode featured the first sex scene between two men on American television, including manual sex, anal sex, and anilingus, though less graphic than the UK version. Despite frank portrayals of drug use and casual sex, significant right-wing opposition did not emerge. However, Cowen and Lipman noted in 2015 that they were surprised by backlash from some parts of the LGBT community concerned about negative implications.

Controversial storylines included coming out, same-sex marriage, ex-gay ministries, drug abuse, gay adoption, artificial insemination, vigilantism, gay-bashing, HIV/AIDS, casual sex, underage prostitution, and bug chasers. The series occasionally referenced its own image through the show-within-a-show Gay as Blazes, a politically correct drama that Brian disliked and that was eventually canceled. In South Korea, Queer as Folk was screened at queer film festivals in 2000, helping challenge heteronormativity in Korean society.

International and online release

In the United States, the entire series was available on Netflix from February 1, 2014, to February 1, 2019, and has been on Paramount+ since 2020. In Canada, it aired on Showcase and later reran on OutTV. The BBC broadcast season 1 on BBC Choice in 2002; seasons 3 and 4 aired on E4 in an unpromoted post-midnight slot. Season 2 has never been broadcast since BBC Choice rebranded as BBC Three. All five seasons have been released on DVD in the UK. In Norway, the first season started on March 31, 2006, on Canal Digital. Romania aired the show in late 2008 on Purple TV. Poland began airing on March 1, 2010, on nFilmHD. Greece aired only season 1 on Star Channel in 2002, with a repeat in 2003. In Israel, the show aired on Channel 3 and yes stars channels, and later reran on HOT3 under the title "Hachi Ge'im SheYesh" (Proud As Can Be).