What’s New in Queer TV #12: Chad Powers, Nightmares of Nature, Abbott Elementary, Riv4lries, Genie Make a Wish

Welcome to the weekly post where I discuss new additions to my 2025 queer streaming guide.

The Ultimate List of 2025 Queer TV shows

A full list of every new TV show that came out in 2025 on streaming with lesbian, gay, trans, bi, and other queer characters.

Queer or BaitAurelie Chazal

Disclaimer: All the shows listed below came out about one month ago because I've noticed that's how long it usually takes me to be able to confidently verify whether a show has queer representation. I'm not able to watch everything, but I'll only include shows that have proven queer characters as verified online through reputable sources.

Chad Powers • Season 1

Hulu • Sports Comedy • 🇺🇸 United States • Fate Unknown

Queer-o-meter: 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

Type of queer representation: Gay

The mascot guy, Danny, is gay, and it seems like they might be going for him falling in love with Chad/Russ, which I really hate. It's giving "gay guy falls in love with straight guy and acts weird about it" for now, so I hope they eventually give him his own love interest. I also like the idea of a friendship between the douchy quarterback and the nerdy gay kid who knows a lot about make-up.

My thoughts on it: I'm enjoying the show so far. It's a little stupid and some of the jokes go a little too far, but it's mostly fun. It reminds me of the stupid 90s/00s comedies like American Pie. I just wish they kept romance completely out of the Danny x Chad relationship. We don't see a lot of straight-gay guy friendships so making the gay guy fall for his straight friend is a bit annoying.

Others' thoughts on it:

I sat down with the stars of the Disney+ show Chad Powers, who share why they fell in love with their unique characters

Characters on the side lines are just as important

TechRadarRowan Davies

Nightmares of Nature • Season 1

Netflix • Nature Documentary • 🇺🇸 United States • Ended

Queer-o-meter: 🏳️‍🌈

Type of queer representation: Queer Woman

Openly queer actress Maya Hawke narrates this horror-based nature documentary.

My thoughts on it: I hate both horror and nature documentaries, so I am not the audience for this one. I love Maya Hawke, though, so who knows.

Others' thoughts on it:

Blumhouse’s ‘Nightmares of Nature’ Gives Nature Documentaries a Macabre Makeover [Review]

Blumhouse’s creepy and creative reimagining of nature documentaries celebrates the wilderness’ humble and harrowing horrors. “It’s not just humans who have nightmares…” One of the greatest things about the horror genre is that fear comes from a limitless number of places. Sure, a rampaging monster or a furious masked killer are going to generate terror […]

Bloody Disgusting!Daniel Kurland

Abbott Elementary • Season 5

Hulu • Workplace Comedy • 🇺🇸 United States • Fate Unknown

Queer-o-meter: 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

Type of queer representation: Gay (including gay relationship)

In episode 4, Jacob brings his new boyfriend, Elijah, to Gregory's game night. Elijah is an outgoing Black guy who manages to put a positive spin on Gregory's crazy hosting fails. Other than that, Jacob continues to hold a central role in the show as the goofy, nerdy teacher.

My thoughts on it: I absolutely love Abbott Elementary. It's such a refreshing comedy show that gives an optimistic but critical view of public school in a primarily Black community. Every character is well fleshed out, including the resident White gay guy, Jacob. Season 5 started strong so far and I can't wait to see where it takes us.

Others' thoughts on it:

Abbott Elementary. Season 5. Need I Say More?

(Oh Don’t Worry. I Will)

MediumDavid B Morris

Riv4lries • Season 1

Netflix • School Teen Drama • 🇮🇹 Italy • Fate Unknown

Queer-o-meter: 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

Type of queer representation: Lesbian (including a cute teen romance)

Marzia is the only LGBT character in the show as far as I can find, and she has a cute romance with another girl, but it seems to be more of a background plot

My thoughts on it: I found a few clips of Marzia's romance storyline online, and it seems to be a very small part of the overall show. It's the type of plot that would have made me watch an entire mediocre show when I was a teenager just to see a few minutes of two girls falling in love.

Others' thoughts on it:

‘Riv4lries’ Netflix Review: Bloated Teen Drama Is Too Focused On Romance To Be Any Good

Netflix’s obsession with teen dramas makes complete sense, because the audience for a coming-of-age show is never just teenagers; it’s a range of people who

Digital Mafia TalkiesRuchika Bhat

Genie, Make a Wish • Season 1

Netflix • Folklore Fantasy • 🇰🇷 South Korea • Fate Unknown

Queer-o-meter: 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

Type of queer representation: Lesbian

Choi Min-ji is explicitly identified as a lesbian dentist and is the protagonist's (Ka-young) long-term friend. Their friendship doesn't seem to lead to a confirmed romance, but a few online reviews mention the show plays on the "lesbian relationships always end up tragically" trope.

My thoughts on it: I was so happy to finally see some queer representation in a K-drama. Since I started keeping track of LGBTQ+ representation in TV shows, K-dramas have consistently been one of the straightest genres out there. I don't think this show gives us an amazing queer storyline, but everything I found about Min-ji's character is pretty positive. Just don't expect her to find love.

There are some criticisms around the show's depiction of the Genie and religious references to the devil. See more below.

Others' thoughts on it:

Why Genie, Make a Wish is facing backlash over cultural appropriation and representation

Genie, Make a Wish arrived on Netflix promising a sweeping fantasy romance: a lonely young woman, Ga-young, frees a powerful genie named Iblis after a thousand years.

SoapCentralBeatrix Kondo