Watch Queer as Folk
The story includes several main characters, with some being added and dropped as the series goes on. These include Brian Kinney, a 29 year old gay man who lives life in the moment, and has a reputation for sleeping around; Justin Taylor, a 17 year old who loses his virginity to Brian and falls in love with him; Michael Novotny, Brian's best friend since childhood and resident comic book geek (who also harbors a crush on Brian since they were teenagers); Emmett Honeycutt, the most flamboyant of the group and completely unapologetic about who he is; and Ted Schmidt, who is slightly older than the rest of his friends and has low self-esteem due to always being turned down by men at gay clubs.
Aside from the male gay characters, the series also has its main lesbian couple, Melanie Marcus and Lindsay Peterson. With Brian as a sperm donor, Lindsay has a baby boy in the pilot, which Justin names Gus. Other main characters include Debbie and Vic Novotny, Michael's mother and uncle. Debbie is a member of PFLAG and very openly supportive of her son, and Vic, who lives with her, is her brother who is living with AIDS.
Queer as Folk (US) is the first American TV drama to chronicle the lives of gay men and women in the United States. Each of the characters have their own stories and plotlines, and ample time is spent with all of them. It aired from 2000 to 2005 on Showtime in the US, and from 2001-2005 on Showcase in Canada.
- Showtime
- 5 Seasons, 83 Episodes
- December 3, 2000
- Drama
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/10 - Cast: Michelle Clunie, Thea Gill, Gale Harold, Randy Harrison
Watch Full Episodes of Queer as Folk
Queer as Folk Full Episode Guide
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Brian and Justin prepare to marry. Lindsay and Melanie move to Canada. Michael's asked to represent the Committee for Human Rights. Ted sees his relationship with Tad (Ben Bass) for what it really is. The beat of Babylon continues...
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Brian reevaluates his priorities after the bombing of Babylon. Michael continues to recover in the hospital, and a Liberty Avenue vigil for the victims ends in chaos.
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Cyndi Lauper makes a guest appearance as Babylon plays host to the Stop Prop14 Benefit - an event that changes everyone's lives.
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The gang fights against Proposition 14. Michael and Brian still aren't speaking to each other while Lindsay and Melanie's in-house separation heats up. Drew (Matt Battaglia) finally comes out. Ted begins his quest for his Mr. Right.
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Justin lands himself in jail for standing up against Proposition 14 and his own father. Brian and Brandon work their way down the list of the ten hottest guys in their competition to determine the real stud of Babylon. Ben grieves Hunter's departure. Melanie and Lindsay attempt an in-house separation while Emmett's stalker reveals himself.
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Proposition 14 threatens same sex couple's rights while Brian deals with the threat of Brandon's presence in his world. Justin's decision to move out of Brian's loft creates a rift between Brian and Michael. Ted struggles to remember he's with Troy (Lee Rumohr) only in order to exact revenge. Lindsay decides to give her parents a chance and moves back home with her son, Gus.
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Brian's reign as hottest man at Babylon is challenged by the new stud, Brandon (Ryan Scott Greene). Although a huge success as the "Queer Guy," Emmett faces a challenge of his own when he realizes he's been hired as a clown for the network's ratings. Ted, a new man after his cosmetic surgery, has an opportunity for revenge on an old flame. Ben (Robert Gant) and Michael attempt to help Hunter lift his spirits and get back to school. Bored as a lady of leisure, Debbie finds herself back at the diner.
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Brian has news to share with all of his former partners and Justin. Meanwhile, Hunter considers returning to the streets.
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Brian remains steadfast in his belief that marriage is the death of a relationship. Debbie has a difficult time accepting her role as a lady of leisure-especially when she discovers that Loretta has stolen her act including the button-clad vest right down to the wisecracks. Ted decides to undergo an extreme makeover.
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Brian and Michael grow further apart as Brian struggles to save Liberty Avenue from gentrification and Michael embraces domestic life. The street may never be the same when Debbie (Sharon Gless) decides to retire from the diner and newcomer Loretta Pye (Rosie O'Donnell) takes over.
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Brian re-opens Babylon but the party boys have disappeared. Justin returns to Pittsburgh after the studio pulls the plug on "Rage." Michael decides to pursue custody of his daughter, Jenny Rebecca. Behind closed doors, Ted pursues a new look after a recent fling turns out to be a chubby chaser. Emmett (Peter Paige) lands a role in front of the camera as Pittsburgh's resident "Queer Guy" on the local news.
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Michael (Hal Sparks) throws a surprise 10th anniversary party for Melanie (Michelle Clunie) and Lindsay (Thea Gill) but the evening doesn't quite turn out as planned. Justin's (Randy Harrison) stay in Hollywood is extended, in turn affecting his relationship with Brian (Gale Harold). At Ted's (Scott Lowell) suggestion, Brian invests his Kinnetik profits in a new venture.
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Michael and Ben have trouble crossing into the United States as a married couple. Ted and Emmett get lost in the woods on the way to a 12-step meeting, while Brian takes a nasty fall and breaks his collarbone. Melanie goes into labor. 'Rage' is given the green light.
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Brian decides to participate in the Liberty Ride. Drew asks Emmett back. Hunter reveals to Callie that he's HIV positive. Melanie and Lindsay discuss the future.
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Brian goes head-to-head with the fund-raiser hired by the Center. Hunter leads Ben and Michael to believe he might be hustling again. Debbie tries to woo Carl back. Sam isn't ready to give up on Lindsay. Emmett and Drew continue their affair.
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Brian deals with the effects of his surgery. A former student of Ben's causes a rift between Ben and Michael until Ben discovers why he was being showered with attention. Emmett secretly helps Ted find an athlete to model Brown Athletics' new underwear line. Lindsay struggles with her attraction to Sam.
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Justin discovers why Brian has thrown him out. Can Michael and Ben's relationship survive Michael's Hollywood windfall and Ben's manuscript rejection? A pro football player makes a play for Emmett.
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Justin discovers Brian didn't go to Ibiza. Michael and Justin meet with a Hollywood producer about 'Rage.' Debbie has a heart-to-heart with Horvath.
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Brian is diagnosed with testicular cancer. Ted falls back into old habits. Debbie tries to make up for the awful things she said to Vic before his death.
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Michael and Justin receive an offer to turn 'Rage' into a live-action feature film. Ted delivers his letter of amends to Emmett. Debbie and Vic get into a heated argument that will change their lives. Brian receives shocking news.
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Ted accepts Brian's offer of a job at Kinnetik. Cody takes Justin to the firing range. Melanie lends her support to the custody case after Ted helps her see what's important. Each now living alone, Emmett and Debbie find comfort in each other's company.
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Brian turns to Ted for help with his new agency. Justin and Cody take the Pink Posse to a violent level. Melanie struggles to separate personal feelings from her professional responsibility as a lawyer when a case is taken away from her. The social worker's visit to Michael and Ben's doesn't quite go as planned.
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Brian warns Justin about his involvement with Cody and the Pink Posse. Ted continues to push his friends away as he begins a new job. Vic and Rodney decide to move in together.
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Brian decides to start his own ad agency. Ted struggles to re-enter life after rehab. Emmett and Michael discover their inner Faerie. Justin encourages a friend to fight back against his bashers.
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Brian is deep in debt and faces giving up the lifestyle to which he's grown accustomed. Michael and Hunter return to Pittsburgh to face the custody hearing. Emmett visits Ted in rehab.
