American BL series may not follow the classic Asian “boys’ love” formula—but that doesn’t make them any less powerful, moving, or real. In fact, U.S.-based gay-themed shows often reflect a different kind of authenticity: one rooted in identity, community, and the long fight for visibility.
As a long-time fan of LGBTQ+ storytelling, I’ve watched dozens of these shows unfold over the years—from laugh-out-loud queer comedies to deeply emotional love stories set against political turmoil. This curated list brings together over 30 must-watch American BL series and gay TV dramas that explore intimacy, friendship, heartbreak, self-discovery, and queer joy. Whether you’re just stepping into the genre or looking for your next binge, there’s something here for everyone.
Let’s celebrate the messy, hilarious, beautiful stories of queer men told through American television—past and present.
Top American BL Series
Sense8 (Season 1–2)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Sci-Fi, Queer Ensemble Drama | 📅 2015–2018 | 📡 Netflix
Plot Summary:
Created by the Wachowski sisters (The Matrix, Cloud Atlas) and J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5), Sense8 tells the story of eight strangers from around the world who suddenly become mentally and emotionally linked. Sharing emotions, languages, and skills, they become known as “sensates.” As they navigate their interconnected lives, a mysterious man tries to unite them—while a shadowy organization hunts them down. Each of them must fight for survival while unraveling the truth behind their new shared consciousness.
My Take:
More than just a sci-fi thriller, Sense8 is a celebration of queer identity, empathy, and the emotional bonds that transcend borders. Featuring characters of diverse genders and sexualities—including gay, trans, and pansexual storylines—it sets a new benchmark for LGBTQ+ representation in genre television. Visually lush and emotionally intense, this is a show that invites you to feel everything, not just watch.
Good Omens (Season 1–2)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Fantasy, Comedy, Slow-Burn Queer Romance | 📅 2019–2023 | 📡 Amazon Prime Video
Plot Summary:
Heaven and Hell collide in this delightful series about the unlikeliest of companions: the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley. After preventing Armageddon together, they slip into a cozy post-apocalyptic domesticity—until a confused archangel appears, setting off a new chain of divine chaos. Together, the angel-demon duo embarks on another cosmic journey filled with mystery, magic, and reluctant affection.
My Take:
I couldn’t give this show enough stars even if I tried. While not traditionally categorized as a BL series, Good Omens gives us one of the richest slow-burn queer romances ever seen on TV. The chemistry between Aziraphale and Crowley transcends labels—rooted in 6000 years of companionship, wit, and longing. It’s whimsical, heartfelt, and deeply resonant for queer viewers who’ve ever wished for a love that survives the end of the world.
Queer as Folk (US Version, Season 1–5)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Urban Gay Drama | 📅 2000–2005 | 📡 Showtime
Plot Summary:
Set in Pittsburgh, this iconic series follows a close-knit group of gay men (and a few women) as they navigate love, sex, friendship, and heartbreak. At the center is Brian, a confident and promiscuous ad exec, and Justin, a teenage newcomer swept into his world. Surrounding them are friends like Michael, the loyal childhood buddy; Emmett, the flamboyant optimist; and Ted, the analytical romantic. Each episode dives into their personal struggles and triumphs with raw honesty.
My Take:
Queer as Folk isn’t just a series—it’s a generational blueprint. It captures a full spectrum of queer life without glossing over the pain, joy, shame, pride, or messy complexity. I cared deeply about every character, even when they made bad decisions, because the writing never treated their stories as disposable. Real, emotional, and boldly unfiltered—it’s a landmark in gay television history.
Fellow Travelers (2023)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Historical Gay Romance, Political Thriller | 📅 2023 | 📡 Showtime
Plot Summary:
Based on the novel by Thomas Mallon, Fellow Travelers is a sweeping romance set against the backdrop of McCarthy-era Washington D.C. Hawkins, a charismatic political fixer, meets Tim, a young idealist fueled by Catholic faith and political passion. Their affair begins during one of the darkest periods of U.S. history for queer people, and spans decades of American crises—from Vietnam protests to the AIDS epidemic.
My Take:
This is a love story marked by tenderness and terror. I was deeply moved by the contrast between Hawkins’ seductive self-denial and Tim’s idealism. The series shows that queer love is not only emotional, but political—something to be protected, defied for, and mourned when lost. The atmosphere is lush and melancholic, and the romance feels as dangerous as it is beautiful.
Interview with the Vampire (Season 1–3)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Gothic Horror, Queer Vampire Romance | 📅 2022–2025 | 📡 AMC+
Plot Summary:
This lavish reboot of Anne Rice’s classic vampire saga focuses on Louis, a Black man living in 1900s New Orleans, who is seduced by the mysterious vampire Lestat. As Louis succumbs to eternal life, he gains immense power but loses his humanity. Their toxic love deepens when they adopt a vampire child, Claudia, setting off a decades-long story of love, betrayal, and reckoning.
My Take:
I was spellbound by the haunting dynamic between Louis and Lestat—intimate, destructive, yet undeniably romantic. The series drips with gothic tension, queerness, and emotional gravity. It’s more than just a horror story—it’s a portrait of love that devours, redeems, and traps its victims in cycles of passion and guilt. It’s queer tragedy at its most operatic.
American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (Season 2)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Crime, Psychological Drama, True Gay Story | 📅 2018 | 📡 FX, Hulu
Plot Summary:
This season of American Crime Story centers on the real-life murder of fashion icon Gianni Versace by spree killer Andrew Cunanan in 1997. The series unravels Cunanan’s descent into violence, intercutting his backstory with the lives of the gay men he victimized. More than a true crime thriller, it examines how homophobia, classism, and internalized shame fuelled both society’s ignorance and Cunanan’s rage.
My Take:
This isn’t a BL romance, but it’s essential queer storytelling. Darren Criss’ chilling performance left me breathless—he plays Andrew not as a caricature but as a haunting product of a society that failed him. I was struck by the way the show holds a mirror to the gay community’s historical pain, asking us to confront the trauma beneath the glamour.
The Thing About Harry
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Gay Romantic Comedy | 📅 2020 | 📡 Freeform, Hulu
Plot Summary:
This made-for-TV movie follows Sam, a neat and openly gay political strategist, and Harry, a former high school jock who once bullied him—but who now comes out as pansexual. Forced to share a long road trip to a friend’s engagement, the two find themselves re-evaluating their assumptions and feelings along the way.
My Take:
I smiled so much watching this. It’s sweet, awkward, and just earnest enough to make you root for both leads. The trope of “enemies to lovers” is done with warmth and modern flair, and I appreciated the inclusion of pansexual representation. It reminded me that sometimes love comes when you least expect it—even from someone you thought you hated.
EastSiders (Season 1–4)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Queer Indie Dramedy | 📅 2012–2019 | 📡 Netflix
Plot Summary:
EastSiders follows Cal and Thom, a gay couple living in Silver Lake, L.A., whose relationship begins to crumble after infidelity. The series explores sex, love, addiction, and emotional maturity through a sharply written, low-budget lens, featuring a diverse range of queer experiences.
My Take:
I have such a soft spot for this show. It doesn’t try to be polished—it leans into its flaws like a confession. It captures the messiness of queer relationships with dark humor and uncomfortable honesty. Watching Cal and Thom fall apart and rebuild felt like peeking into someone’s diary. This is queer indie storytelling at its most intimate.
The McCarthys (Season 1)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Sitcom, Gay Family Comedy | 📅 2014 | 📡 CBS
Plot Summary:
Ronny is the openly gay son in a loud, sports-obsessed Boston family. When his basketball coach dad surprisingly picks him to be the new assistant coach over his straight jock siblings, hilarious chaos ensues. It’s a family sitcom with a queer twist—and a whole lot of Boston accents.
My Take:
I didn’t expect much, but this was a pleasant surprise. While not revolutionary, it’s refreshing to see a gay character in the lead of a network sitcom where his sexuality is part of the story—but not the whole story. Ronny is funny, grounded, and relatable, proving that queerness and family comedy can absolutely coexist.
Daddyhunt (Web Series, Season 1–4)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Web Drama, Gay Generational Romance | 📅 2016–2021 | 📡 YouTube, Daddyhunt App
Plot Summary:
This short-form web series explores the romantic journey between two gay men—one older, one younger—as they navigate dating, communication, HIV stigma, and long-term commitment. Starting with a hookup that turns serious, each season builds on their emotional growth as individuals and as a couple.
My Take:
It’s short, sweet, and surprisingly deep. What starts as a hookup app promo evolves into a touching exploration of intergenerational gay love. I was especially moved by how the series tackles HIV stigma with compassion and realism. Representation of older queer men is rare, and this show offers it with grace.
Noah's Arc (Season 1–2 + Jumping the Broom)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Black Gay Romance Drama | 📅 2005–2008 | 📡 Logo TV, YouTube
Plot Summary:
Centered around four Black gay friends in Los Angeles—Noah, Alex, Ricky, and Chance—the series explores love, infidelity, friendship, and HIV awareness. With bold characters and heartfelt storytelling, Noah’s Arc was one of the first shows to unapologetically focus on the lives of Black queer men.
My Take:
This show was ahead of its time. Watching it now, it still feels raw and important. Noah’s tender vulnerability contrasted with Ricky’s sexual confidence gave the show balance, while the themes of brotherhood and self-acceptance hit hard. The reunion movie Jumping the Broom tied everything together beautifully.
Love, Victor (Season 1–3)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Coming-of-Age, High School, Gay Romance | 📅 2020–2022 | 📡 Hulu
Plot Summary:
Set in the same universe as Love, Simon, this American BL series follows Victor, a new student at Creekwood High who is on a journey of self-discovery. As he navigates the typical challenges of high school—friendships, family expectations, first loves—Victor must also face deeper questions about his sexual identity, all while writing to Simon for guidance.
My Take:
Love, Victor captures the emotional confusion and excitement of teenhood with a warm, empathetic gaze. It’s not just a love story—it’s a coming-out story, a family story, a story about finding community. Victor’s personal growth feels authentic and inspiring, making this a comforting yet impactful watch for anyone exploring their own identity.
When We Rise (Miniseries, 2017)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Historical Drama, LGBTQ+ Rights, Biopic | 📅 2017 | 📡 ABC
Plot Summary:
This powerful miniseries chronicles the lives of LGBTQ+ activists over several decades, from the early days of the gay rights movement in the 1970s to the legal battles and cultural shifts of the 21st century. Based on Cleve Jones’ memoir, it weaves together real events with deeply personal stories of struggle, love, and loss.
My Take:
When We Rise is not light entertainment—it’s essential viewing. Each episode is a lesson in resilience, highlighting the pain and progress of queer history in America. The performances are stirring, and the narrative scope is both heartbreaking and hopeful. It’s one of the most significant American BL-adjacent series in terms of cultural value.
English Teacher (Season 1, 2024)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Comedy-Drama, Queer Community, Satire | 📅 2024 | 📡 OutTV
Plot Summary:
Set in a conservative Texas high school, English Teacher follows a gay educator trying to balance the increasingly chaotic demands of students, parents, and social norms. As viral moments, internet culture, and queerness collide, the series becomes a razor-sharp satire of public education and identity politics.
My Take:
Hilarious and biting, English Teacher is a rare gem—queer, independent, and unafraid to be weird. Brian Jordan Alvarez leads a cast full of queer internet darlings, blending meme-worthy absurdity with sincere moments of self-reflection. It’s niche, but if you get the humor, it’s unforgettable.
Hunting Season (Season 1–2)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Erotic Drama, Urban Gay Life | 📅 2012–2015 | 📡 Vimeo / LOGO TV
Plot Summary:
Based on the once-viral blog “The Great Cock Hunt,” Hunting Season is a candid, unapologetically sexy series about Alex, a gay New Yorker navigating love, lust, and the chaos of city life. With short but punchy episodes, the show chronicles his hookups, heartbreaks, and inner reflections on what it means to live honestly and freely.
My Take:
It’s bold, NSFW, and absolutely entertaining. Hunting Season stands out for treating queer sex and friendship with the same casual honesty as Sex and the City. Beneath the steam, there’s soul—especially as Alex begins questioning whether casual encounters still serve him. One of the most daring American BL series for adult viewers.
The New Normal (Season 1)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Family Comedy, Surrogacy, Queer Parenting | 📅 2012–2013 | 📡 NBC
Plot Summary:
Created by Ryan Murphy, The New Normal centers on a gay couple who hire a quirky single mom as their surrogate. Living under one roof, the trio navigate modern family dynamics with humor, heart, and lots of sass. Expect biting one-liners and dramatic clashes, all underlined by an earnest desire for belonging.
My Take:
Though campy at times, this show came at a moment when America needed to see queer parenting normalized on prime-time TV. It’s part sitcom, part social commentary, and wholly committed to its message: love makes a family. While it may not be groundbreaking today, it paved the way for many shows that followed.
Tales of the City (2019)
![Tales of the City _ Teaser [HD] _ Netflix 1-7 screenshot](https://hisfilmhis.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Tales-of-the-City-_-Teaser-HD-_-Netflix-1-7-screenshot-1024x576.webp "30+ Must-Watch American BL Series: From Comedy to Heartbreak and Everything Queer 17")
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 LGBTQ+ Ensemble Drama, San Francisco Life | 📅 2019 | 📡 Netflix
Plot Summary:
Returning to 28 Barbary Lane after two decades, Mary Ann reconnects with her queer found family in San Francisco. This updated Tales of the City continues the legacy of Armistead Maupin’s novels with a multi-generational, multi-identity ensemble, exploring gender, race, aging, and chosen community in a heartfelt and modern way.
My Take:
This revival is a warm hug to queer audiences, weaving nostalgia with topical themes. It’s rare to see a series give equal weight to youth and elders, trans folks and gay men, long-term love and new flings. Tales of the City isn’t just a story—it’s a space that feels lived-in, inclusive, and emotionally rich.
The Other Two (Season 1–3)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Satirical Comedy, Queer Sibling Dynamics | 📅 2019–2023 | 📡 HBO Max
Plot Summary:
Cary, a gay struggling actor, and his sister Brooke, a failed dancer, are suddenly sidelined when their 13-year-old brother becomes a viral pop sensation. As their mother also rises to fame, the two “other” siblings battle envy, identity crises, and an industry that barely notices them—especially Cary, who’s always the sidekick in someone else’s story.
My Take:
Brilliantly satirical and bitingly funny, The Other Two is a masterclass in modern media cynicism, yet deeply queer in its emotional core. Cary’s journey—grappling with coming out, fame, and self-worth—hits hard under all the laughs. It’s one of the smartest, most underappreciated shows in the queer TV canon.
The Real O'Neals (Season 1–2)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Teen Coming-Out Comedy, Family Drama | 📅 2016–2017 | 📡 ABC
Plot Summary:
When teenage Kenny comes out to his conservative Catholic family, their picture-perfect image starts to crack. Each family member soon reveals their own secrets, turning their “normal” world upside down. But from the wreckage, something more honest and loving begins to take root.
My Take:
This show isn’t perfect—but it’s honest, goofy, and grounded in heart. Watching Kenny navigate high school life, dating, and religion felt deeply relatable. It may feel a little too clean at times, but that accessibility made it a rare gem for young queer viewers on network TV.
Feral (Season 1)
🇺🇸 USA | 🎬 Indie Queer Drama, Southern Grit | 📅 2016 | 📡 Dekkoo
Plot Summary:
Set in the queer art scene of Memphis, Feral follows a group of 20-somethings exploring love, creativity, and survival. It’s a tender, lo-fi portrait of chosen family and coming-of-age moments that don’t come with neat conclusions.
My Take:
Understated and raw, Feral feels like flipping through a friend’s analog photo album. It doesn’t scream; it lingers. For viewers tired of glossy queer dramas, this is a beautiful, melancholic antidote that feels both personal and poetic. Indie gay storytelling at its finest.
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