Global; Univision las estrellasTV has come so far in the last 15 years when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation. No longer are we confined to reading between the lines or digging to find the one or two shows with actual queer characters among the cast. But finding shows that meet your taste and include sapphic characters can be a taller order. Once you factor in shorter seasons and quick cancelations... well, we could always use more sapphic stories.
Fortunately, for those willing to expand their horizons, there are always international series. If you're looking for something fresh to check out instead of just throwing on The L Word for the 18th time, check out these shows featuring queer female characters!
Sugar Rush (2005-2006)
Channel 4
In this British lesbian dramedy, Kim (Olivia Hallinan) is a young sapphic who moves to Brighton and meets the troubled, wild, and utterly gorgeous Sugar (Lenora Crichlow). The two quickly become friends, but Kim develops a massive crush on her bestie. Way too relatable.
Where to watch: The Internet Archive
Dead Loch (2003-)
Dead Loch
Prime Video
This Australian crime comedy series takes place in a tight-knit community in Tasmania that is rocked by a murder when a local man is found dead. On the case are straight-laced, lesbian Senior Sergeant Dulcie Collins (Kate Box) and her, ahem, more unconventional partner, Detective Eddie Redcliffe (Madeleine Sami). The series is hilarious, addictive, and super gay.
Where to watch: Prime Video
Creamerie (2021)
Creamerie
Hulu
This post-apocalyptic series from New Zealand is set nearly a decade after a virus has wiped out 99% of the male population. Central to the story are three women — Alex (Ally Xue), Jamie (JJ Fong), and Penny (Perlina Lau) — who together run a small dairy farm in rural New Zealand within a matriarchal society called Wellness. However, the “normalcy” of their lives is upended when a rare surviving man is found hiding on their land.
Where to watch: Hulu
Everything Now (2023)
Everything Now
Netflix
This aching queer drama from the United Kingdom sadly only ran for one season — but what a season it was. The series follows Mia Polanco (Sophie Wilde), a queer 16-year-old student trying to reintegrate into her life after a long stay at an eating disorder treatment facility. When she returns home and realizes how much life went on without her — and how much she’s missed — she creates a “bucket list” of things she wants to do to make up for lost time.
Where to watch: Netflix
In My Skin (2018-2021)
In My Skin
BBC
This Welsh coming-of-age series will tug at your sapphic heartstrings. In it, Bethan Gwyndaf (Gabrielle Creevy), an outwardly confident teenager, is secretly struggling with two things: confronting her queer identity and her mother’s severe mental illness. The series juggles both with kindness and realism, and it’s sweetened by her story of first love.Where to watch: TubiAmar a muerte (2018)
Univision Las Estrellas
Amar a muerte follows three men who die on the same day and wake up in different bodies. But the real show stealer here is the slowly blossoming romance between Juliana and Valentina, which developed an international cult following.
Where to watch: Vix
Nurses (2020-2021)
Nurses
eOne
Canada's Nurses is a standard workplace drama set in a hospital and following a young crop of nurses trying to pursue a challenging career — including Ashley, an adrenaline junky who is also a lesbian.
Where to watch: Rent on Prime Video
Anne+ (2018-2020)
Anne+
Netflix
This coming-of-age web series from the Netherlands features its protagonist, Anne, looking back on all of her past sapphic relationships. It was such a beloved series that Netflix ultimately continued it with a movie in 2021.
Where to watch: Prime Video
Derry Girls (2018-2022)
Derry Girls
Netflix
Okay, Derry Girls is one you may have seen — or at least heard of. Set in 1990s Ireland, it revolves around a group of high school girls, including baby lesbian, Clare.
Where to watch: Netflix
The Secret of Us (2024)
The Secret of Us
Channel 3
Thailand has found success with its "boy love" series, and The Secret of Us was its first entry into "girl love" shows in 2024. Fahlada is still trying to move on after having her heart broken by Earn, but a chance encounter between them sparks a romance once again.
Where to watch: YouTube
Lip Service (2010-2012)
Lip Service
BBC Three
Lip Service was essentially the UK's answer to The L Word. Need we say more?
Where to watch: Roku
La Casa de las Flores (2018-2020)
La Casa de las Flores
Netflix
A dysfunctional family runs a flower shop in this dark comedy, which includes several sapphic characters.
Where to watch: Netflix
This Way Up (2019-2021)
This Way Up
Hulu
In This Way Up, Aine tries to find normalcy in her life after a breakdown landed her in rehab. Her biggest supporter is her sister, Shona, who goes through some later-in-life realizations after meeting a woman named Charlotte at work.
Where to watch: Hulu
Madre Solo hay Dos (2021-2022)
Madre Solo hay Dos
Perro Azul
This Mexican telenovela starts with two women discovering their children were accidentally switched at birth. They decide the best solution is to raise their families together, and, well...things take a turn.
Where to watch: Netflix
The Bisexual (2018)
The Bisexual
Channel 4
The Bisexual was a short-lived show that follows Leila as she decides to explore her bisexuality after getting out of a 10-year relationship with another woman.
Where to watch: Hulu
Skam France (2018-2023)
Skam France
Gétévé Productions
The various teen-centric Skam series are beloved for a reason, and Skam France isn't even the only one featuring sapphic characters. However, seasons six and nine, revolving around Lola and Maya, respectively, are a great place to start.
Where to watch: Daily Motion
Sisters (2017)
Sisters
Netflix
This Australian series follows three women (one of whom is a lesbian) who discover they're biological half-siblings thanks to a fertility specialist's egregious decision to use his own sperm to impregnate many of the women he helped over the years. You may recognize the premise if you caught the single season of the American adaptation, Almost Family, on Fox back in 2019.
Where to watch: Netflix
Lost Girl (2010-2016)
Lost Girl
Syfy
Supernatural series Lost Girl featured a bisexual protagonist, Bo, whose entire deal was refusing to pick a side — when it came to sexuality and the age-old divide between the Light and Dark factions of the Fae. This series was as queer as queer can get. And as a bonus, some of the cast members have been recording a rewatch podcast.
Where to watch: The CW
23.5 (2024)
23.5
A high school student accidentally leads her crush to believe she's talking to a guy, but decides to keep up the ruse. What could possibly go wrong?
Where to watch: Rakuten Viki
Wentworth (2013-2021)
Wentworth
FremantleMedia Australia
If you're missing Orange is the New Black, Wentworth might be the solution. It's an Australian show set in a prison — much like OitNB, there's no shortage of sapphic characters.
Where to watch: Roku
Control (2018-2022)
Control
All3Media International
This Polish web series follows the relationship between two women — and how they became to be exes.
Where to watch: YouTube
Call My Agent! (2015-2020)
Netflix
Talent agents are at the front and center of French comedy series Call My Agent!, including lesbian lead, Andréa.
Where to watch: Netflix
Locked Up (2015-2019)
Locked Up
Channel 4
Queer women and prison shows really just go hand-in-hand. This one hails from Spain and centers around Macarena's 7-year prison sentence after committing crimes on behalf of her boss/boyfriend.
Where to watch: Netflix
Such Brave Girls (2023—)
Such Brave Girls
Hulu
A British sitcom about a dysfunctional family, Such Brave Girls features the kind of characters who are just such train wrecks, you can't look away. And, of course, it's chaotically queer.
Where to watch: Hulu
Reverse 4 You (2024—)
Reverse 4 You
Netflix
One sister can control time. The other can see the future. When one believes her love story is meant to end in tragedy, they take fate into their own hands.
Where to watch: Netflix
