The Best Gay TV is in Europe

Who is gay in it? Roman Wild (Dennis Grabosch) started as a relatively minor character in episode 2. He had a one-night stand with a trainer early in the series, but then hid his homosexuality to protect his career. He was publicly outed in a newspaper article after he kissed his friend Deniz Öztürk (Igor Dolgatschew). Deniz clearly states he is gay during his relationship with Roman, but after he starts seeing Vanessa, he does a Steve Carrington and makes contradicting statements making his character's sexuality rather confused (in his defense, he is supposed to be a teenager).

Igor Dolgatschew (left) and Dennis Grabosch

What is the storyline? After a newspaper publishes a picture of an intoxicated Roman kissing Deniz, both their worlds are turned upside down. Thugs from Deniz' ice hockey team gay-bash Roman, who has developed feelings for Deniz. Deniz, meanwhile, is unsure of his sexuality. After much struggling, he comes out and the two become a couple. All goes well until Deniz hangs out more with his best friend Vanessa.

What works? By soap standards, the homophobic attack on Roman, and Deniz' subsequent coming out, were handled extremely well. Most viewers agree that this is the pairing with the best chemistry on the show thus far. The actor portraying Roman, Dennis Grabosch, is openly gay and seems to have had a certain amount of influence on the early parts of the storyline. Currently what works best is the portrayal of Roman's friendship with his straight best friend, Ingo Zadek, who refers to Roman as his 'Hase' (Honey Bunny) and is not shy about exchanging PDAs with him.

What is the outlook? There's always something new around the corner, but right now AWZ seems to have put Deniz and Roman on the backburner.

Hotness: 10/10
Romance: 5/10
Originality: 7/10

EastEnders

What’s it about? Set in the East End London neighborhood of Albert Square, this is another UK drama following the lives of a diverse group of characters.

Who is gay in it? Despite having a long history of gay characters – including the first ever gay kiss on UK television – it had been since 2005 that EastEnders, one of the most popular British shows, had featured a gay storyline. Currently the only gay character is Christian Clarke (John Partridge), although teenager Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell) was revealed as bisexual shortly before his character exited the show in May.

Aaron Sidwell (left) and John Partridge

What is the storyline? Confused about his sexuality, Steven kissed the considerably older Christian, leading to much drama. Christian tried to force the conflicted teen to come to terms with his sexuality by repeatedly flirting with him and trying to get him to discuss it. Partridge, himself gay, had expressed some concerns that his much older character might be seen as predatory, but feels the producers didn’t play it that way. He’s also pleased that his character “weaves in and out of lots of characters’ stories” giving him plenty to do.

What works? If EastEnders hadn’t had a variety of gay characters over the years, having a violent, mentally ill, bisexual teenager involved with an older man might be problematic. However, the show has presented a variety of gay characters and the introduction of Christian has been praised as “a realistic portrayal of a slightly older gay man” by PinkNews, and Gareth McLean of The Guardian stated Christian “brings EastEnders a step closer to more accurately representing London. ”

What is the outlook? Steven left the show, but the currently single Christian appears regularly.

Hotness: 4/10
Romance: 5/10
Originality: 6/10

Clara Sheller

What’s it about? Tagged the French Sex and the City despite only superficial similarities, this dramedy is about Clara Sheller, a young Parisian woman and Jean-Philippe, her closeted gay best friend. Comparisons have also been made to Will & Grace, but Clara Sheller is definitely not just a French sitcom.

Who is gay in it? Thirty-something Jean-Philippe (Frédéric Diefenthal), commonly referred to as JP, is out to himself and to Clara (Mélanie Doutey), but not to his friends and family. A closeted gay man living in Paris in 2005 could feel rather anachronistic in 2008, but Diefenthal imbues the character with a sweet believability as a man using his gayness as a reason to keep the world at arm’s length.

Mélanie Doutey (left) and Frédéric Diefenthal

What is the storyline? At the start of the series, JP is content to let everyone believe he is involved with Clara who reluctantly acts as his beard. But when JP befriends his boss’ son (whom everyone mistakenly believes is gay), JP finally starts down the road to coming out and finding love.