35 shows with awesome lesbian characters and where to stream them

Need more lesbian TV in your life? We’ve got you covered.

Every year, TV becomes more inclusive, but it can still be tricky to find shows with good lesbian characters.

So, if you’re on the hunt for a good show that features impactful, complicated lesbian characters, we’ve got you covered.

Here are 35 television shows you can stream with Sapphic characters for you to sink your teeth into!

1) Warrior Nun

Okay, first of all, we're never going to stop saying that Warrior Nun was simply canceled too soon. Even though the sapphic love wasn't as prevalent in the second season, Sister Beatrice alone is reason enough to watch this.

Stream on Netflix.

2) Supernatural

As Supernatural went on, its queer fanbase kept growing. There are a few gay and lesbian characters throughout the show, but no lesbian is better than Charlie Bradbury (Felicia Day), the smart and savvy nerd who... well, we'll say she has a happy ending here, but just know we're lying.

Stream on Netflix.

3) Charmed (Reboot)

Nothing will ever beat the original run of Charmed. I'm just going to get that out of the way. That said, the reboot did bring some representation, both to the LGBTQ communities and the communities of color, as well. Main sister Mel on the show is a lesbian, and she's also super fun to watch.

Stream on Netflix.

4) Batwoman

Batwoman follows Kate Kane, who’s in charge of taking care of Gotham after Bruce Wayne leaves. In the second season, Kane is replaced by Ryan Wilder, an out lesbian who’s meant to be more likable and goofy than her predecessor.

Stream on Max.

5) One Day at a Time

One Day at a Time is a feel-good family comedy that delves into a lot of familial issues and growing pains. The show is rife with LGBTQ+ characters, and one of the most heartwarming episodes is when Elena comes out her mother.

Stream on Netflix.

6) Jessica Jones

The Netflix Original Series Jessica Jones is definitely one of the best Marvel superhero shows yet. Gender-swapped lesbian lawyer Jeri Hogarth may be cold, calculating, and ruthless, but we can’t imagine the show without her. Her ex-wife Wendy Ross-Hogarth, and girlfriend Pam also represent lesbians on the show.

Check out 23 Netflix Shows with Awesome Bisexual Characters here.

Stream on Disney+.

7) Master of None

Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang’s original Netflix comedy-drama is a can’t miss series. Lena Waithe shines as Dev’s (Aziz Ansari) levelheaded lesbian friend Denise, who has some of the best lines of the show.

Stream on Netflix.

8) Orange is the New Black

The Netflix Original OITNB has more lesbian characters than half the shows on our list combined. (They also represent bi and trans women.) Plus, they’re one of the few shows on air that features a butch lesbian character.

Stream on Netflix.

9) Grey’s Anatomy

Bubbly lesbian pediatric surgeon Arizona Robbins completely wins over the audience. We’ll even forgive her for cheating on Callie, because there’s no way we’ll ever stop shipping Calzona.

Stream on Netflix and Hulu.

10) Glee

Santana and Brittany gave us a super sweet high school love story with a killer soundtrack. Plus, who doesn’t love Demi Lovato as Dani?

Stream on Hulu and Disney+.

11) The Fosters

ABC’s sweet show, The Fosters, portrays lesbian couple Lena and Stef and their ever expanding family.

Stream on Hulu.

12) Pretty Little Liars

We thought we’d never get over the loss of Emily’s first love, Maya, on Pretty Little Liars, but we can’t help but love Paige too.

Stream on Max and Hulu.

13) Lost Girl

The very adult fantasy series Lost Girl brings plenty of bisexual representation to the table, but throws lesbian representation into the mix too with human character Dr. Lauren Lewis.

Stream on the CW app.

14) Once Upon a Time

What lesbian didn’t want to be like Mulan (minus the romance) when she grew up? Fortunately Once Upon a Time gives us a Mulan who’s all about saving the princess.

Stream on Hulu.

15) Sense8

While technically all the sensates may be pansexual (if the massive mind-orgy tells us anything), Nomi, a trans lesbian hacktivist, and Amanita, her brilliant girlfriend, give viewers an amazing lesbian couple to fall for.

Stream on Netflix.

16) Bomb Girls

This addictive Canadian period drama set in a munitions factory during World War II features beautiful and brilliant lesbian munitions worker Betty McRae (Ali Liebert).

Stream on The Roku Channel.

17) Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

If you’re in need of a show you can watch with your grandma, the period drama Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is a safe bet. Bonus: aristocrat and detective Phryne Fisher’s friend, Doctor Elizabeth “Mac” McMillan, is a dapper lesbian.

Stream on Acorn.

18) Yellowjackets

Not only is this folk horror show full of strong female characters but there is also a complicated Sapphic romance between Taissa and Van. The two women fall for each other as teenagers in the '90s, and then we get to see them reconnect in the present day as their pasts are catching up to them.

Stream on Paramount+

19) The Walking Dead

The zombie drama The Walking Dead features two lesbian characters, Tara Chambler and Alisha.

Stream on Netflix.

20) The Fall

The Fall is an incredible psychological thriller starring Gillian Anderson as a bisexual detective tracking down a serial killer. Local lesbian police constable, Danielle Ferrington, helps solve the case.

Stream on Prime Video and Peacock.

21) Skins

Season 3 and 4 of Skins feature lesbian character, Emily, and her bi girlfriend Naomi as Emily navigates coming out, and meeting her first love.

Stream on Hulu

22) XO Kitty

In the second season of this show, about a teenager who moves to Seoul to attend an elite high school and pursue love, Kitty is unapologetically bisexual and has a crush on classmate Yuri.

Stream on Netflix

23) Queer as Folk

Queer As Folk focuses more on gay men, but there is a queer lady couple on the show—Melanie Marcus and Lindsay Peterson. Melanie is a lesbian, while Lindsay has an affair with a man so is likely bi (though of course, that’s never said).

Stream on Parmaount+.

24) American Horror Story: Asylum

American Horror Story is a hot mess, but as long as you know what you’re in for, it’s often a wild ride worth taking. In the second season, Sarah Paulson plays lesbian journalist Lana Winters who is institutionalized for her sexual orientation.

Stream on Hulu and Prime Video.

25) The Killing

In season three, AMC’s murder drama The Killing introduces a butch lesbian teen named Bullet played by Bex Taylor-Klaus.

Stream on Hulu.

26) Gotham

If you’re looking for lesbian representation in Gotham, you’ll have to fast forward to the sparse scenes featuring out detective Renee Montoya. Victoria Cartagena’s performance is worth it, but she doesn’t appear after season one.

Stream on Max.

27) Buffy the Vampire Slayer

TARAAAAAA! How dare Joss? Still, Buffy is definitely worth watching for a lot of reasons, including the romance between Willow and Tara.

Stream on Hulu.

28) Hart of Dixie

The Southern comedy-drama series Hart of Dixie features a coming-out storyline with a character named Crickett in season 4.

Stream on Prime Video.

29) Arrow

Sure, League of Assasins badass Nyssa al Ghul's evil father may have forced her into marriage with a man, but there was no keeping her in it! Her heart has always belonged to Canary Sarah Lance (even if Sarah has had a few ups and downs with death and resurrection -- it is fantasy after all). Here's hoping Nyssa is reunited with her one true love in this lifetime or another!

Stream on Netflix.

30) The L Word

What lesbian TV list would be complete without the often ridiculous, sometimes offensive, never perfect, but always wildly entertaining drama The L Word? There are a lot of things that can be said about the show, but one thing is certain—it paved the way for a ton of lesbian TV.

Stream on Paramount+.

31) First Kill

First Kill may have been canceled after a single season, but it's still worth checking out for the Sapphic Shakespearean romance between teen vampires Juliette and Calliope who are the heirs to a vampire faimly and a family of vampire hunters.

Stream on Netflix.

32) Everything Now

Over the course of the eight-episode series about bisexual teen returning to high school after getting treatment for an eating disorder, Mia explores her sexuality with both young men and women.

 Stream on Netflix.

33) The Wilds

The Wilds is about a group of teen girls who crash land on a deserted island, including lesbian characters Toni and Shelby.

Stream on Prime Video and Freevee.

34) The Last of Us

The second season of The Last of Us will introduce us to Dina, who main character Ellie has a romance with in the sequel to the popular video game the show is based on.

Stream on Max.

35) Younger

The show may follow Liza, who is lying about her age to get her dream job in publishing, but it's Debbie Mazar's iconic lesbian character, Maggie, who will have you binging the whole show.

Stream on Netflix.