The Best Gay TV is in Europe

Hollyoaks

What’s it about? Aimed at a younger audience, this UK soap is centered on Hollyoaks Community College. While the characters are usually in their late teens and early twenties, the cast currently includes fifty characters covering a wide range of ages.

Who is gay in it? The most important gay character is John Paul McQueen (James Sutton) who first joined the show in 2006. He subsequently fell in love with best mate Craig Dean (Guy Burnet). That relationship ended in 2007 when Burnet exited the show and John Paul is currently engaged to a former Catholic priest, Kieron Hobbs (Jake Hendriks). However, Craig is slated to return shortly.

James Sutton with Guy Burnett (left), Sutton with Jake Hendriks

What is the storyline? John Paul is a sweet if brash young man who is slowly growing into himself. Despite deeply caring for his mother, he repeatedly hurts her, the latest example being his clandestine relationship with Father Kieron. However, John Paul seems to finally be on the verge of happiness with his recent engagement to Kieron.

What works? Both the writing and acting make Hollyoaks a standout show when it comes to gay representation on television. Despite the show’s large cast, John Paul gets a goodly amount of screen time and his character is neither stereotypical nor are his storylines cliché. Well, at least not for a soap opera. But it is the acting of Sutton that truly makes this one of the best gay characters on TV.

What is the outlook? With both Sutton and Hendriks slated to leave the show, fans are unsure of how John Paul’s storyline will wrap up.

Hotness: 8/10
Romance: 19/10
Originality: 9/10

The Blue Ones (Les Bleus)

What’s it about? A group of rookie French police officers, one of whom happens to be gay, try to prove themselves to their more seasoned superiors.

Who is gay in it? Nicolas Gob plays rookie cop Kévin, who falls in love with fellow cop Yann, played by Mathieu Delarive.

Nicolas Gob (left) and Mathieu Delarive

What is the storyline? During his rookie year as a cop in Paris, Kévin falls for Yann, a sexy but aloof fellow detective. The show follows their relationship, as well as Kévin’s relationship with his mother, co-workers, and boss.