Why the New 'Queer as Folk' Series Is Better Than the Original

When the Peacock streaming network announced a reimagined version of the seminal LGBTQ+ drama Queer as Folk, it faced an immediate wall of skepticism. The franchise carried a monumental legacy. Russell T Davies created the groundbreaking 1999 British original, and Showtime followed with a massive, culture-defining five-season American adaptation in 2000.

For many, those shows were sacred. However, viewing them through a modern lens reveals a glaring issue: they were almost exclusively focused on a very narrow slice of the community—predominantly white, cisgender, able-bodied gay men.

3. Trans and Nonbinary Characters as Leads, Not Sidekicks

The 2022 reboot had trans and nonbinary characters, which was a strength. But many critics noted they were often used as "wise sages" or vessels for trauma. A better iteration would give trans characters the same license to be flawed that cis gay men had in the 2000s.

Imagine a trans male character who is a total slut—not because he’s proving his masculinity, but because he loves sex. Imagine a nonbinary character who is selfish, ambitious, and neglects their friends. The original Queer as Folk was great because it showed gay men as bastards and saints. A new series needs to extend that same humanity to the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community. Let trans characters be unlikable. That’s equality.

4. Aesthetic and Setting: The New Orleans Grit

Pittsburgh (in the original US version) was a generic city stand-in that often felt a bit too sterile. The reboot moves the action to New Orleans, and the city becomes a character in itself.

The setting provides a unique texture: it is sweaty, Southern, Gothic, and spiritual. This moves the show away from the polished, "clean" aesthetic of modern sitcoms like Modern Family or The L Word: Generation Q. The New Orleans setting allows for storylines involving voodoo, Mardi Gras culture, and a different kind of queer history—one that feels grittier and more organic than the nightclub scenes of the early 2000s.

Limitations and Criticisms

• Narrative overcrowding: An expanded agenda can lead to too many simultaneous political storylines, reducing the room for quieter character moments.
• Risk of tokenism: Inclusion does not automatically equal depth—early episodes occasionally fall into shorthand portrayals before fully developing arcs.
• Market constraints: Streaming formats favor bingeability and metrics; cliffhangers and sensational plot beats may at times prioritize engagement over nuance.

Thematic Evolution

• From liberation narratives to structural critique: The original centered sexual liberation and chosen-family resilience amid social stigma. QAF-new shifts emphasis toward structural injustices—healthcare access, state surveillance, economic precarity—reflecting contemporary priorities of queer activism.
• Intimacy, sex, and consent: The revival preserves explicit intimacy but reframes it through contemporary discussions of consent, trauma-informed storytelling, and sex-positivity that foregrounds agency across identities. This is often a marked improvement in ethical storytelling, though some viewers interpret sanitization where the original felt bluntly transgressive.
• Technology and community: Digital dating, online organizing, and surveillance are woven into plotlines in ways the original could not. These elements update the drama’s stakes and underline how community-building has shifted.

Quick review — "Queer as Folk" (new series)

• Premise & tone: The new Queer as Folk reimagines the original's frank look at queer life for a contemporary audience—shifting from raw, soap-operatic melodrama to a darker, more serialized character drama. It aims for emotional realism over campy spectacle.

• Characters & performances: Strong lead performances carry the show; characters feel lived-in and complex, though some supporting roles are underwritten. The series leans into trauma and relationship fallout, which gives depth but can make pacing uneven.

• Writing & themes: Ambitious thematically—identity, grief, community, and the online era of queer culture—but sometimes heavy-handed. Dialog is natural at its best, but plot choices favor shock and moral dilemmas over sustained character growth.

• Visuals & direction: Polished cinematography and production design. Direction emphasizes intimacy and claustrophobia to match the show's emotional stakes.

• Pacing & structure: Slow-burn with episodes that occasionally stall; rewards viewers who invest but may frustrate those expecting the original's faster, wilder momentum.

• Audience fit: Best for viewers who want contemporary, character-driven queer drama with moral complexity. Less appealing to fans who wanted a direct nostalgic remake or lighter, celebratory tone.

• Verdict (short): A worthwhile, serious reimagining with strong acting and themes, but uneven pacing and a darker tone make it a different beast than the original—good, but not universally better.

The 2022 Peacock reimagining of Queer as Folk is often viewed as a superior update because it successfully evolves from the narrow focus of its predecessors to reflect a more authentic, intersectional LGBTQ+ experience. By shifting the setting to New Orleans and centering a diverse cast, the new series addresses the modern community's breadth in ways the Showtime and UK versions did not. Core Improvements Over the Original TV Review: Queer As Folk

The new series of Queer as Folk! The original series, which aired from 1999 to 2005, was a groundbreaking and beloved show that explored the lives of a group of young LGBTQ+ individuals in Pittsburgh. The new series, which premiered on BBC One in 2022, is a reimagining of the original, with a new cast and a modern take on the themes and issues that made the show so iconic.

Here are some thoughts on the new series:

Pros:

1. Diverse cast: The new series boasts a talented and diverse cast of characters, including people of color, trans individuals, and people with disabilities. This adds a fresh perspective to the show and reflects the complexity of the LGBTQ+ community.
2. Contemporary themes: The show tackles modern issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community, such as online dating, social media, and the challenges of being queer in a rapidly changing world.
3. Improved representation: The new series features more nuanced and realistic portrayals of LGBTQ+ individuals, including non-binary and trans characters, and explores the intersections of queerness with other aspects of identity.

Cons:

1. Lack of connection to the original: Some fans of the original series might find that the new show feels disconnected from the characters and storylines they grew to love. The new series has a different tone and style, which might not appeal to everyone.
2. Rushed pacing: With only 8 episodes, some viewers might feel that the show rushes through character development and plotlines, leaving some storylines feeling underdeveloped.

Overall:

The new series of Queer as Folk is a welcome addition to the LGBTQ+ television landscape. While it may not be a direct continuation of the original series, it offers a fresh take on the themes and issues that made the show so beloved. With its diverse cast, contemporary themes, and improved representation, it's a must-watch for fans of the original series and new viewers alike.

What do you think? Have you watched the new series of Queer as Folk? What are your thoughts on the show?

The 2022 reboot of Queer as Folk was widely considered a "better" or at least more evolved series than its predecessors because it moved beyond the narrow focus on cisgender white gay men

. While the original 1999 UK version and the 2000 US version were groundbreaking for their time, the new series was praised for its radical inclusivity and modern storytelling.

Here is a breakdown of why many critics and viewers found the new series to be a superior representation of the LGBTQ+ community: 1. Radical Inclusivity

Unlike the previous versions, which centered almost exclusively on able-bodied white gay men, the reboot featured a cast that truly mirrored the diversity of the queer community. Trans and Non-Binary Representation

: The series featured multiple trans and non-binary characters played by trans and non-binary actors, such as Fin Argus and Jesse James Keitel. Disability Visibility

: One of the lead characters, Ruthie, is a trans woman, and her brother Mingus is a drag performer. The show also prominently featured characters with disabilities, moving away from the "perfect body" archetype common in earlier queer media. 2. Modern Trauma and Resilience

The new series began with a high-stakes, tragic event—a shooting at a queer nightclub—which grounded the show in the modern realities of hate crimes and community trauma. Healing over Tragedy

: While the inciting incident was dark, the season focused on how the community heals and finds joy in the aftermath, rather than just wallowing in the tragedy. Community Bonds

: It emphasized "chosen family" in a way that felt more urgent and political than the soap-opera-style drama of the original US series. 3. Updated Sexual Politics

The 2022 version dismantled many of the tropes that had aged poorly in the originals. Beyond the "Coming Out" Story

: The characters were already out and established in their identities, allowing the show to focus on their careers, complex relationships, and personal growth instead of the singular "struggle" of being gay. Sex Positivity

: It maintained the franchise's signature frankness about sex but updated it to include a wider range of bodies, gender expressions, and sexual practices. 4. Why it was Cancelled

Despite its critical acclaim for representation, the series was cancelled after only one season in September 2022. Low Ratings : According to

, the show suffered from low viewership numbers, which creator Stephen Dunn confirmed was the primary reason Peacock chose not to renew it. Streaming Saturation : In a crowded landscape of queer content (like Heartstopper

), it struggled to capture the same massive, singular audience that the 2000 version did when it was one of the few options available. similar shows

that offer the same level of diverse representation, or are you looking for fan discussions

comparing the specific characters across the different eras?

While the 2022 Queer as Folk reboot on Peacock was canceled after one season, it is often argued to be "better" than its predecessors due to its radical shift in inclusivity and contemporary relevance. Unlike the 1999 UK or 2000 US versions, which focused almost exclusively on white, cisgender gay men, the new series explicitly dismantles those "silos" to represent a wider queer spectrum. Key Arguments for the New Series' Superiority

While the original UK and US versions of Queer as Folk were groundbreaking for their time, many critics and fans argue that the 2022 Peacock reimagining

offers a more inclusive and modern look at the LGBTQ+ community . Created by Stephen Dunn

, this version moves the setting from Pittsburgh to the vibrant city of New Orleans

, replacing the narrow focus of its predecessors with a broader palette of voices. 1. Radical Inclusivity and Representation

The most significant "better" factor cited by proponents of the new series is its commitment to representing the queer spectrum, rather than just white cisgender gay men. Diverse Identities : The series features prominent storylines for trans and non-binary characters , such as Ruthie ( Jesse James Keitel ) and Shar (

), exploring their lives as teachers, partners, and new parents. Disability Inclusion

: The show breaks new ground by centering disabled queer characters. Ryan O'Connell (as Julian) and Eric Graise

(as Marvin) are featured in a bold subplot about creating a handicapped-accessible sex club. Authenticity

: Unlike previous versions, the new series was created by and for a fully queer cast and crew, which supporters say lends a "breath of fresh air" to the storytelling. 2. Tackling Modern Realities

The 2022 series shifts away from the "soap opera" drama of the early 2000s to address the more painful and topical realities facing the community today. Post-Pulse Narrative

: The series begins with a tragedy—a shooting at a gay nightclub named —modeled after the

massacre. It focuses on the aftermath, exploring communal grief, trauma, and the exploitation of tragedy by social media influencers. Nuanced Politics

: Characters often call each other out on thoughtlessness or performative activism, making for a world that feels more complicated and "real" than the idealized escapism of earlier iterations. 3. Correcting "Tired Tropes"

Fans of the new version point out that it attempts to fix some of the more problematic elements of the originals. 'Queer as Folk' Reboot Review - PureWow 9 Jun 2022 —

Here’s a solid, concise piece covering why the new Queer as Folk series (2022, Peacock) is better than the original UK or US versions — depending on what you value in queer storytelling.

1. From "White Gay Men" to Intersectional Community

The original series (both UK and US) was revolutionary for its time, but looking back, it is undeniably narrow in its scope. It centered almost exclusively on affluent, cisgender, white gay men. Lesbians, bisexuals, and people of color were often relegated to the sidelines or used as plot devices.

The reboot fundamentally corrects this tunnel vision.

• A Mosaic of Identities: The cast is strikingly diverse. It features a Black lesbian non-binary character (Ruthie), a trans-masculine character struggling with the dating scene (Marvin), and a neurodivergent protagonist.
• The "Found Family" Dynamic: While the original focused on a tight-knit circle of friends, the reboot emphasizes the specific modern concept of "found family" across different marginalized identities. It doesn't just show queer people; it shows how different queer identities interact, support, and sometimes conflict with one another.