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.

more on next page...

\\\

(continued)

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!

more on next page...

\\\

(continued)

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!

more on next page...

\\\

(continued)

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!

more on next page...

\\\

(continued)

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.

Follow SheWired on Twitter!

Follow SheWired on Facebook!