20 Controversial Remakes That Swapped Straight Leads for Queer Ones

When stories are remade or reimagined, they often update details like the setting, time period, or overall mood. But sometimes, changes go deeper, affecting the main character’s identity and relationships – specifically, turning straight characters into openly queer ones. Here are some notable examples of these adaptations, explaining what was changed, who the new lead is, and how the story’s existing history was adjusted to include these changes.

‘High Fidelity’ (2020)

Hulu’s new series reimagines the character Rob from the original story as a bisexual record store owner living in Brooklyn. The show follows Rob’s romantic life, focusing on five major heartbreaks with both men and women. Starring Zoë Kravitz, the series keeps the original’s strong focus on music, but tells the story through the lens of queer dating. It uses curated playlists and direct addresses to the audience to help viewers understand Rob’s personality and background.

‘Interview with the Vampire’ (2022– )

This new series focuses on the passionate romance between Louis and Lestat. Set in New Orleans during the early 1900s, it reimagines their complex relationship and the power struggles within it as a queer love story. The show uses flashbacks and present-day interviews to highlight how their past secrecy contrasts with their current openness. At its heart, the series explores themes of love, control, and what it means to live forever, all through a distinctly queer lens.

‘Dead Ringers’ (2023)

This new series offers a fresh take on the original story, casting the central twin doctors as women named Beverly and Elliot Mantle. It openly explores their romantic relationships with women, rather than hinting at them. The story now unfolds in a clinic focused on fertility and women’s health, raising complex ethical questions about reproduction. The series delves into the twins’ drive for success, their complicated relationships, and the power dynamics within the medical world, all told at a deliberate, dramatic pace that explores themes of desire, reliance, and self-discovery.

‘A League of Their Own’ (2022)

This new version expands on the original film by focusing on LGBTQ+ characters and their stories within the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Carson and Max are at the heart of the story, exploring themes of sexuality, community, and the challenges they faced during World War II. The film shows how locker rooms, bars, and boarding houses became places where players connected, both secretly and openly. The story is based on thorough historical research into the teams, their travels, and the social world the players lived in.

‘Charmed’ (2018–2022)

The new version of the show maintains the core group of three main characters, but introduces Mel, a lesbian witch, as one of them. The first few episodes explore her past relationships while also featuring the show’s typical monster-of-the-week storylines. This update weaves LGBTQ+ identity into the magical family’s traditions, how characters gain power, and the role of whitelighters. The show continues to be set on a college campus and within the local community, allowing for stories about both social activism and supernatural dangers.

‘Roswell, New Mexico’ (2019–2022)

This updated version of the show introduces a new main cast and establishes Michael Guerin as openly bisexual, developing a significant romantic relationship with Alex. The series continues to explore themes of alien encounters and government oversight, but now Michael’s sexuality is a core part of who he is and what drives his actions. The show also features more diverse characters in the town’s military and science communities. Romantic storylines are woven together with the larger mysteries surrounding the town’s history and forgotten memories.

‘One Day at a Time’ (2017–2020)

This new series follows a Cuban American family, with a central storyline about Elena, a teenager exploring her identity as a queer person. Her coming-out journey is woven into relatable family moments like quinceañeras, school events, and community celebrations. The show uses conversations between different generations to thoughtfully address themes of faith, culture, and acceptance, blending humor with honest discussions about identity and being seen.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2021–2023)

This new version of Gossip Girl follows a fresh group of students on the Upper East Side and prominently features several LGBTQ+ main characters, including Max, who is pansexual. The drama revolves around the competitive world of private school, the pursuit of brand sponsorships, and the pressures of social media. Unlike the original, this Gossip Girl uses platforms like Instagram to create a sense of immediate, real-time exposure. The series explores themes of identity, being publicly revealed, and respecting boundaries, all within the context of social media rules and the actions of the characters themselves.

‘Velma’ (2023– )

This new animated series focuses on Velma as the main character and explores her romantic relationships with other women, all before the formation of Mystery Inc. It reimagines the classic Scooby-Doo characters as high school students involved in ongoing mysteries. The show features updated character designs and recurring jokes that highlight characters’ motivations, conflicts, and attractions. Each episode follows a ‘mystery of the week’ format, weaving romance into the investigation and creating red herrings.

‘She-Ra and the Princesses of Power’ (2018–2020)

This new version of the story reimagines the traditional hero’s path, focusing on the romantic relationship between Adora and Catra. The conflict between the Horde and the Rebellion isn’t just about a war; it’s a backdrop for exploring themes of loyalty, past trauma, and love. The show updates character looks and who aligns with whom to highlight the importance of consent and making your own choices. The ending isn’t just about magical battles – it’s just as much about characters finding emotional peace and resolution.

‘Voltron: Legendary Defender’ (2016–2018)

This new take on the mecha series puts Shiro in charge of the team and establishes him as a gay character with both current and past relationships. The story blends exciting space battles with intimate character studies, exploring Shiro’s emotional journey and healing process. His personal life is woven into the main plot, which involves themes of captivity, taking on a leadership role, and forging alliances. We learn about his relationships through flashbacks and see them play out during diplomatic missions.

‘Nancy Drew’ (2019–2023)

As a big fan of the original, I was really excited about The CW’s reboot of Nancy Drew, and I wasn’t disappointed! They’ve updated Nancy for a modern audience, exploring her bisexuality, while still keeping that core mystery vibe we all loved. Each season throws in some cool supernatural twists alongside the classic detective work – think clues, forensics, and trying to solve the case. The show really focuses on the group – Drew Crew – and how they navigate things like figuring out who they are, dealing with family legacies, and the challenges of law enforcement. What I love most is how the relationships between the characters grow and change, whether they’re battling ongoing curses or finally closing a case.

‘Bel-Air’ (2022– )

This new take on the classic ‘90s sitcom follows the Banks family as they navigate modern life, with Ashley now a queer teenager. The show portrays her sexuality as a normal part of growing up, even with the added pressures of fame and wealth. Her journey of self-discovery and acceptance plays out against the backdrop of school, social media, and family life. Meanwhile, other storylines focusing on sports and music add variety and depth to the family’s world.

‘Willow’ (2022)

Okay, so I’m really excited about the new series! It picks up where the fantasy movie left off, and it’s awesome because Princess Kit and Jade, who were clearly meant to be together, are now officially a couple and they’re central to the whole adventure. The show balances all this court intrigue and ancient prophecies with their training, and honestly, it’s a great way to show how strong their bond is. Each episode feels like they’re on a mission – exploring new places, fighting monsters – but it’s also a really natural way to develop their romance. Plus, the world-building is fantastic – they’re really expanding the map – and it’s just so cool to see their relationship being totally accepted by everyone around them. It feels really organic and genuine.

‘Chucky’ (2021– )

The new installment of this horror series follows Jake Wheeler, a teenage artist who discovers a notorious killer doll at a yard sale. The show blends Jake’s journey of self-discovery with a series of murders in his town, and also features characters from previous films. Throughout the season, Jake deals with typical teen issues like bullying and family problems, while also experiencing first love. The series maintains the classic slasher elements fans expect, but uniquely incorporates the experiences of a queer teen into each mystery.

‘Heartbreak High’ (2022– )

The new version of this Australian teen drama centers on Darren, a non-binary character who is exploring friendships and dealing with drama at school. The season’s storylines revolve around what happens in class, sex education, and school discipline. The show also follows the characters’ relationships, gossip, and how they hold each other accountable online. Local community spaces and sports fields become important places where characters work through conflicts and grow as people.

‘4400’ (2021–2022)

This new version of the story is set in Detroit and features a diverse group of main characters, including several LGBTQ+ individuals and their love stories. The series focuses on the challenges faced by people returning after being displaced – finding housing, getting jobs, and navigating government systems. Each episode links their experiences to current social justice movements and fights for equal rights. Alongside investigations and casework, the show explores personal relationships and the support systems available within shelters and city services.

‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’ (2020)

This new take on ‘The Turn of the Screw’ focuses on Dani, a queer au pair, and her relationship with Jamie, which adds a fresh perspective to the classic ghost story. The isolated country house becomes a backdrop for exploring themes of memory, loss, and being haunted – both literally and figuratively. The story unfolds through a series of flashbacks and personal revelations. Ultimately, the haunting is connected to promises made, cherished objects, and the family Dani creates for herself.

‘The Color Purple’ (2023)

The film version clearly shows the romantic connection between Celie and Shug Avery as a key part of the story. Through song and visual storytelling, Celie’s inner thoughts become powerful expressions. We follow Celie’s journey as she grows through her writing, her work, and the support she receives from others. This new adaptation highlights Celie’s independence and her equal relationship with others, all while staying true to the historical time period.

‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ (2023)

This ‘Grease’ prequel focuses on Cynthia, a young queer woman, and how the Pink Ladies came to be. Each episode features challenges like club tryouts, auditions, and student government elections at Rydell High. The show uses musical performances to advance the story and explore characters’ identities, friendships, and conflicts. It also examines how school rules about dress and behavior impact students’ ability to express themselves and be seen for who they are.

Share your picks below: which remakes did this best—or worst—in your view?

2025-12-25 17:47