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10 underrated queer tv shows to binge during Pride Month

By Shaun Stacy

The Wilds. Pictured (L-R): Jenna Clause (Martha Blackburn), Sarah Pidgeon (Leah Rilke), Mia Healy (Shelby Goodkind). Credit: Matt Klitscher/Amazon Studios
The Wilds. Pictured (L-R): Jenna Clause (Martha Blackburn), Sarah Pidgeon (Leah Rilke), Mia Healy (Shelby Goodkind). Credit: Matt Klitscher/Amazon Studios /
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Underrated queer show: Special

Platform: Netflix

Cast: Ryan O’Connell, Punam Patel, Jessica Hecht, Patrick Fabian, Max Jenkins

Premise: Special is a comedy series that originally premiered on Netflix in April of 2019. Based on the memoir, I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves, by star Ryan O’Connell. O’Connell also writes and executive produces the series, which follows O’Connell’s character, also named Ryan, who is a gay man living with mild cerebral palsy in Los Angeles. Tired of being treated “special” too much, Ryan decides to rewrite his identity and finally go after the life he wants, including moving out of his mother’s house and pursuing a writing career.

This uplifting series is full of heart and humor, just like the main character. It is rare that members of the LGBT community with a disability are depicted on television, much less portrayed by an LGBT actor who has the same disability. The stellar supporting cast includes Punam Patel (Kevin from Work) as Kim, Ryan’s best friend and co-worker, Jessica Hecht (The Boys), as Ryan’s overprotective, but loving, mother.

The good news is that the series was renewed for a second season, which just premiered last month on Netflix. The bad news is that its second season is also the show’s final one, despite the series being a critical darling. Special has been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards and won a Writers Guild of America Award for Short Form New Media–Original just last year.

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