From the hottest lesbian ships to realistic representations of teen life as a lesbian, we’ve got all the best queer relationships from your favourite TV shows. Whether you’re an out lesbian looking to see your own sexuality in media, or questioning your past straight relationships and going on a journey of self discovery, the queer storyline of these TV series and TV shows is just a small part of why they’re awesome.
You’ll sit down for the first season and find yourself halfway through the third season before you can say orange is the new black. Let’s take a look!
Representation of Lesbians as “Fun College Girls” in Media
Finding compelling arcs, diverse groups of friends, and any realistic lesbian scenes that are worth watching can feel like an endless battle. Anything with a queer element can quite quickly spiral into the mess of a TV series that the Glee Club was.
You also come across the portrayal of queer people in not the healthiest relationships, as the TV series is only showing lesbian life through the lens of a straight person. You might see teenage girls experimenting or a brief glimpse of a lesbian character amongst a sports team of high school students, but queer women are rarely the main characters of these TV series.
Not only that, but to have lesbian couples as the main love story in TV shows is even rarer. When you do see two women, they’re usually best friends or older and younger sisters, so it’s nice to put together a shortlist of the best adorable lesbian couples, realistic lesbian romantic relationships, and the lesbian characters we absolutely love!
Best Lesbian Ships in TV Shows
Here are the TV shows with the best lesbian characters in that we could think of! Whilst some have plenty of queer characters, others might have a single lesbian relationship, a quick love story, or main characters who identify as lesbian women. Let’s take a look!
Haunting of Bly Manor
The Haunting of Bly Manor centres on a moving lesbian relationship between Dani Clayton, the governess, and Jamie Taylor, the gardener, following their lesbian relationship from its tentative beginnings to a devoted partnership that lasts for years after they leave the manor to build a life together in Vermont, running a flower shop. Their love story, however, is overshadowed by the show’s central tragedy: Dani is ultimately compelled to return to Bly to save Flora from the Lady of the Lake, sacrificing herself and leaving Jamie behind.
This ending has sparked discussion around the “bury your gays” trope, which refers to queer characters (especially main characters) being killed off in tragic ways, though some viewers believe the series softens or subverts the trope by giving Dani and Jamie a full, healthy relationship and love story before Dani’s death rather than framing her fate as a punishment for her identity. Despite the sorrow woven into their story, many fans view the lesbian relationship as a rare and beautifully depicted example of queer love on screen.
For us, it was just refreshing to see a happy, healthy, lesbian relationship with two well-written queer characters as main characters make it into a popular TV show! Hauting of Bly Manor is well worth a watch if you love a romantic relationship that is a real love story!
Orange is the New Black
Orange is the New Black showcased a wide range of lesbian and queer characters, with the central and often turbulent relationship between Alex Vause and Piper Chapman at its core, alongside standout figures such as Nicky Nichols, Poussey Washington, Big Boo, Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren, and Sophia Burset, whose varied identities and storylines offered an unusually large range of LGBTQ+ representation on television.
Alex and Piper’s on-again, off-again romance drives much of the plot, while characters like Nicky, with her relationships, including one with Morello, Poussey and her meaningful bond with Brook Soso, Big Boo’s witty, confident presence, Suzanne’s implicitly queer journey, and Sophia’s role as a trans lesbian hairdresser all contributed to the TV show’s depth. Widely regarded as a watershed moment for queer visibility, the series was praised for its diversity and for exploring multiple facets of LGBTQ+ life, making it a landmark in lesbian representation on screen.
To see so many well-written female characters in one TV show was an absolute blessing. And none of them have a tragic death because they’re two women who love women? Even better! Orange is the New Black really changed how TV series write lesbian relationships for the better, and with so many main characters having different love stories, it’s easy to see why.
From the first season, you instantly see who is going to be a best friend for Piper and who will take her on a whole journey of self discovery she may or may not be prepared for. Right up to the final season, this lesbian series that even included a trans woman and representation of a women’s prison, is well worth watching! You’ll love the entire show!
The L Word Generation Q
The L Word: Generation Q, available on platforms like Prime Video, is a modern continuation of the original drama about lesbian and bisexual women in Los Angeles, blending returning icons such as Bette Porter, Shane McCutcheon, and Alice Pieszecki with a new generation that includes Dani Nùñez and Sophie Suarez, whose stories intertwine across love, careers, and friendship. Although the revival ultimately lasted one season at a time across its release cycle, it expands the world of the original by exploring how today’s LGBTQ+ community navigates identity, relationships, and shifting social dynamics, almost like a queer-minded take on what happens when a family moves into an upper class neighborhood and must adapt to new surroundings and fresh air, except here the focus is on chosen family, evolving culture, and the ever-changing landscape of queer life.
We’ve heard a second season of The L Word is coming to Netflix at some point, and we cannot wait! To see a TV series so accurately portray both a Cuban American family and lesbian relationships with well written main characters was amazing. We say Prime Video, bring back The L Word for more than just one season!
Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy has long been recognised as one of the TV shows that foregrounds queer women, showcasing multiple lesbian and bisexual characters whose stories span everything from workplace drama to deep emotional arcs, with the most iconic lesbian relationship being the enduring love story between Callie Torres and Arizona Robbins, a romantic relationship between two women that became one of network television’s most famous lesbian ships.
Over the years, the TV series has also explored Callie’s earlier connection with her ex-girlfriend Erica Hahn, Leah Murphy’s fluid relationships, the newer pairing of Jules Millin and Mika Yasuda, and additional queer characters such as Eliza Minnick, Carina DeLuca, and Monica Beltran. Callie, a bisexual character with a troubled past, developed relationships with both men and women before her marriage to Arizona, a pediatric surgeon whose storyline included major moments like a plane crash and its aftermath, while Erica Hahn marked one of the earliest major lesbian plots on network TV.
As the show moved beyond its second season and headed toward its final season, it continued attracting teenage girls and adult fans alike by blending queer narratives with modern music, hospital chaos, and emotionally rich storytelling that helped cement its place in LGBTQ+ television history.
Grey’s Anatomy has so many fans, and like The L Word and Haunting of Bly Manor, it’s easy to see why. Honestly, Grey’s Anatomy has become one of those TV shows I just like having on in the background. It’s an absolute comfort show, and the addition of so many lesbian relationships and love stories just makes it better!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a TV series that became a landmark in queer representation, largely due to the iconic lesbian ship between teenage bounty hunters Willow Rosenberg and Tara Maclay, one of the earliest, most influential lesbian relationships on American primetime television, depicting a tender, respectful partnership that explored themes of gender identity long before such topics became common in genre shows.
Their love story remained central until Tara’s death, a moment often criticised for invoking the “bury your gays” trope, especially given how deeply the pairing resonated with viewers from Orange County to San Francisco and beyond. After Tara, Willow eventually formed a relationship with Kennedy, a confident vampire slayer who joined the group much like a newcomer in a sci-fi reboot or a She-Ra–style ensemble, and additional queer characters such as Aluwyn, Aura, Brie, Lind Martin, Rose, Satsu, and Lake Stevens appeared across comics and spin-offs, echoing the show’s later expansion into DC Comics–like storytelling.
Buffy’s narrative impact was just as formative, and even as the franchise moved toward its symbolic final season, its bold, progressive portrayal of queer women continued to influence generations of fans and creators.
We would put Buffy the Vampire Slayer up there with Grey’s Anatomy in the sense that it has become absolutely huge as a TV series, and the lesbian ships within it. You just need to mention teenage bounty hunters, and people already know the sci-fi/horror show you’re on about.
Orphan Black
Orphan Black prominently features Cosima Niehaus, a lesbian clone whose intense and enduring relationship with fellow clone Delphine Cormier becomes one of the emotional pillars of the story, driving major plotlines as their love is tested, manipulated, and ultimately strengthened across the series. Their connection remains central well beyond the original run, with the continuation Orphan Black: The Next Chapter confirming that Cosima and Delphine eventually marry. Alongside their storyline, the show also works in other LGBTQ+ characters and themes, including hints that Sarah Manning and even Kira Manning may be queer, reinforcing the series’ ongoing commitment to exploring diverse queer identities and relationships within its complex, sci-fi–driven world.
Sara Lance from Legends of Tomorrow
Legends of Tomorrow showcases a wide range of queer storylines, most notably the beloved lesbian ship between Sara Lance, Superman’s cousin in some alternate DC continuities, though not in this series, and Ava Sharpe, whose relationship evolves from a tense professional partnership into a committed romance that ultimately leads to marriage. Alongside the iconic “Avalance” pairing, the show includes additional lesbian characters such as Ellen, Guinevere, Lindsay Carlise, and Ms. Sinclair, while also highlighting broader LGBTQ+ representation through characters like Charlie, a pansexual and genderfluid shapeshifter, and John Constantine, an openly bisexual man.
Top Dating Apps for Lesbians
Want to be a part of your own lesbian ship? Or feel inspired by The L Word? Here are some apps for you to try!
1. Taimi
Taimi is one of the most versatile LGBTQ+ platforms available, offering a space where you can date, make new friends, join community groups, or even set up local meetups. You don’t need to be part of the LGBTQ+ community to join; anyone is welcome to explore what the app has to offer.
It’s free to download and start using, which makes it perfect if you want to experiment with online dating without shelling out any money right away. Most features are accessible from the outset, so you can properly get a feel for the app before deciding whether to upgrade.
Its inclusive atmosphere is genuinely refreshing. Taimi embraces every gender and sexuality, creating a safe, supportive space for people who want connection. If you’re hoping to find meaningful relationships, it’s definitely worth checking out.
2. HER
HER is created specifically for women and female-identifying users who want to meet other women. The app attracts lesbian and bisexual women and enforces a firm no-men rule, which helps keep the space safe and authentic. Their verification and reporting systems are taken seriously; once a profile is flagged, the team acts quickly.
Because of these safeguards, HER is seen as a reliable and trustworthy space for queer women to date without the usual concerns that come with mixed-gender platforms.
3. Bumble
Although often mentioned in the same breath as Tinder, Bumble does stand apart in a few ways: mainly due to its ‘women message first’ rule in heterosexual matches. Once two people swipe right on each other, the woman has 24 hours to open the conversation; if she doesn’t, the match simply expires.
Beyond dating, Bumble also splits into Bumble BFF for platonic connections and Bumble Bizz for networking, which some people find handy even if the combination feels a bit unusual. Still, it’s a solid option if you want variety from one app.
4. SilverSingles
SilverSingles is designed for older adults who want genuine companionship or long-term relationships. It’s free to join and offers simple, approachable features that help you connect with people in your area who share a similar stage of life.
As the more mature sibling of EliteSingles, it’s become a go-to platform for users seeking serious relationships later in life. While it won’t appeal to younger daters, it fills an important niche and offers a friendly, age-focused community.
5. Hinge
Hinge often gets grouped with Tinder and Bumble, but it has a slightly different vibe. While the swiping mechanism is still there, Hinge puts more emphasis on personality. Its prompts, voice clips, and photo/video features help you create a more engaging and personal profile, giving conversations an easier starting point.
You may notice the same faces popping up across dating apps in your area, but Hinge’s profile tools make interactions feel a bit less repetitive.
6. Tinder
Tinder is the classic swipe-based app and is mostly known for casual dating and short-term connections, though plenty of people insist they’ve met their life partners there. It’s straightforward, free to join, and does exactly what most people expect from it.
Would it be the only app to rely on? Probably not. But if you’re in a place where other apps don’t have many users, Tinder can be a handy fallback option.
Start Your Own Ship with Taimi
If you want to be like your favourite married lesbian couple and queer characters on TV, then it’s time to start your own love story with Taimi! From romantic lesbian relationships to meeting a young woman in your area to binge-watch series with, Taimi has got so many people logging on to boost their personal and professional lives every single day! So, what are you waiting for? It’s time for you to be half of the hottest lesbian couples in your town!
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