Watch Queer as Folk

Queer as Folk was a ground-breaking drama series broadcast on Channel 4. It ran for ten episodes over two seasons between 1999 and 2000, with a third and final season airing in 2005. Set in Manchester's gay village, the show chronicled the lives of three young gay men, Stuart (Aidan Gillen), Vince (Craig Kelly), and Nathan (Charlie Hunnam), alongside that of their friends and family. Despite the series' focus on the gay community, it was widely popular with a broad audience, becoming Channel 4's highest-rated drama series.

Stuart is the one who drives the show. He's a successful advertising executive and the leader of the gang. He's beautiful, charismatic, and has slept with almost every gay man in Manchester. He is also arrogant, selfish, and reckless. Despite his obvious flaws, Stuart quickly becomes the audience's favorite character, and Gillen's performance is outstanding.

Vince, Stuart's best friend since school, is more of a friend to the end. He's the complete opposite of Stuart, in that those who love Stuart tend to dislike Vince, but he's incredibly loyal, passionate, and a true friend for Nathan. Vince is a nurse, and his storyline focuses on one of the most challenging and controversial topics of the 1990s, the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Nathan is the youngest member of the group, and his story involves coming out as a gay man at the age of 15. He's easily the most relatable character on the show. His journey includes a problematic relationship with a man twice his age, family rejection, and trying to find his place in the world. Once again, Hunnam's acting was very convincing and was a force to be reckoned with.

Denise Black played Hazel, Vince's mother, and the country's first openly transgender actress. Her character brought a fresh perspective to the show, and her portrayal was genuine and groundbreaking. It was essential to have a transgender character in the show because few people knew anything about the issue, and it adds authenticity to the story.

Queer as Folk was groundbreaking in its frank portrayal of sex, drug use, and the party lifestyle that was such a big part of the gay community at the time. It was the first television series to deal specifically with the lives and experiences of gay men in such an honest and frank way. It was a source of liberation for the LGBTQ+ community, and it pushed boundaries and broke taboos in a way that television had never done before.

The show's music is incredible, with a perfect mix of dance tunes and indie tracks. The clothes and party scenes captured the 1990s and early 2000s. The show was visually stunning, and the attention to detail was impressive. The show also succeeded in touching on difficult topics like HIV, homophobia, family rejection, and violence.

In conclusion, Queer as Folk was a truly groundbreaking television series that brought the LGBTQ+ community to the forefront of popular culture. Through its carefully crafted characters and their intertwined lives, the show explored the complexities of sexuality and identity in a way that was both truthful and unapologetic. It challenged stereotypes and broke down barriers, providing a much-needed voice for a community that had been largely ignored by mainstream media. For those who missed the show when it aired during its original run, it is well worth seeking out.

Queer as Folk is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (10 episodes). The series first aired on February 23, 1999.