Underrated queer show: Sense8
Platform: Netflix
Cast:Â Brian J. Smith, Tuppence Middleton, Doona Bae, Jamie Clayton, Max Riemelt, Tina Desai, Miguel Angel Silvestre, Freema Agyeman, Toby Onsumere, Naveen Andrews
Premise: A Netflix original sci-fi series, Sense8 follows a group of eight individuals who are scattered across the globe and suddenly find themselves psychically connected to one another. With this ability, they are able to access each other’s skills, knowledge, and languages. Of course, there is a nefarious secret organization that is hunting them down with the ultimate goal of turning them into mindless assassins.
Brought to you by the Wachowski siblings, Sense8 boasts one of the most diverse and talented casts in television history. Included is Jamie Clayton, a trans actress who plays a trans character named Nomi Marks. Nomi is in a committed relationship with Amanita (Agyeman), an out lesbian. There’s also Lito Rodriguez (Silvestre) a closeted gay action star living in Mexico, who struggles with balancing his professional and personal lives.
One of the most beautifully shot series in recent years, Sense8 is filmed on location all around the world. The show even filmed episodes during two of the largest Pride parades in the world. Season one featured Nomi and Amanita attending San Francisco Pride in the earlier episodes, while season two saw Lito speak as the grand marshal of the Sao Paolo Pride parade.
The show was unceremoniously canceled after just two seasons, causing an outcry from its small but loyal international fanbase, resulting in Netflix agreeing to do a two-hour finale movie in order to wrap up the dangling storylines.