The Best Gay TV is in Europe

What works? American television has featured a few gay cops and detectives on police dramas including Kyle Secor on Homicide: Life on the Street as the bisexual Tim Bayliss, and Julien Lowe (Michael Jace) on The Shield, but only Keith Charles (Mathew St. Patrick) on Six Feet Under comes close to being as original and provocative as is Kévin on Les Bleus. As played by Gob, Kévin is very much a cop’s cop – smart, tough, physical – but he’s also sensitive and, best of all, his sexuality isn’t much of an issue with himself or his co-workers. His storyline is more than just his being gay, encompassing his relationship with his mother and boss, as well as commitment-shy Yann. And this being French television, gay kisses and intimacy aren’t a big deal.

What is the outlook? Life as a cop (or at least a cop on television) is a risky business and Kévin doesn’t escape his rookie year unscathed physically or emotionally.

The show’s first season did well and a second is reportedly in the works.

Hotness: 8/10
Romance: 7/10
Originality: 7/10

Coronation Street

What’s it about? First airing in 1960, this UK drama tells the stories of the residents of the street for which the show is named.

Who is gay in it? Coronation Street didn’t add its first gay character until Todd Grimshaw (Bruno Langley) joined the show in 2000. However, his character didn’t come out until a number of years later and then subsequently left in 2007.

Bruno Langley w/ Adam Rickitt (left) & Langley (right)

Current gay characters include Sean Tully (Antony Cotton), his partner Marcus Dent (Charlie Condou) and Ted Page (Michael Byrne).

Clockwise from top left: Antony Cotton, Micahel Byne, Charlie Condou,

What is the storyline? Sean recently found himself in a conflict with the woman to whom he donated sperm, as he wanted to act as the child’s father. However, the child’s mother and current boyfriend secretly moved away with the infant. Sean’s relationship with Marcus also appears to be in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Ted Page (Michael Byrne) joined the show in April of this year as the long lost father of Gail Platt. Ted’s partner of twenty years recently died and Ted is now getting to know the daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren he didn’t know he had.

What works? While the show has been gay-inclusive over the past several years, the gay characters haven’t been exactly likable. Some find Sean to be rather stereotypical, but older gay men such as Todd aren’t frequently seen on television and his addition is definitely refreshing.

What is the outlook? So far Ted is mostly a minor character and the outlook for Sean and Marcus’ relationship is not great.

Hotness: 5/10
Romance: 6/10
Originality: 6/10

All that Matters (Alles Was Zählt)

What's it about? Originally developed as a telenovela style show, Alles was Zählt premiered as a long-running traditional soap in 2006. Originally focusing on the dream of Diana Sommer to become a successful figure skater striving to be with the love of her life, the show quickly began adding additional storylines. AWZ is noted for its self-conscious humor and fast editing.