Study finds 4% rise in LGBTQ+ characters on primetime TV, driven by 'Heartstopper' and 'The Last of Us'
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A new report from LGBTQ+ advocacy organisation GLAAD has revealed a 4% increase in the number of LGBTQ+ characters featured on primetime television, marking a modest but meaningful rebound after two consecutive years of decline.
The 20th edition of GLAAD’s Where We Are on TV study counted 489 LGBTQ+ characters across scripted primetime broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms during the 2024–2025 television season. This represents an increase of 21 characters from the previous year.
Shows such as ABC’s Abbott Elementary, HBO’s The Last of Us, Netflix’s Heartstopper and Yellowjackets were credited with helping to boost representation. These series have been praised for their inclusive storytelling and diverse casts, contributing to a broader cultural shift in how LGBTQ+ lives are portrayed on screen.
Despite the uptick, GLAAD warned that the future of LGBTQ+ visibility on television remains uncertain. Over 200 of the characters counted in this year’s study will not return next season due to series cancellations, limited-run formats, or character exits. This includes a significant number of trans characters, of which only four are confirmed to appear in renewed series.
Streaming platforms showed the most growth, with Netflix leading the way by featuring 177 LGBTQ+ characters. ABC had the highest percentage of LGBTQ+ series regulars among broadcast networks, at 12.9%.
Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD’s President and CEO, emphasised the importance of continued commitment to inclusive storytelling: “Storytelling brings us together, and this current cultural and political climate calls on creatives and executives to double down on fair and accurate stories of LGBTQ people,” she wrote in the report.
The study also found that 51% of LGBTQ+ characters were people of colour, and that representation of trans individuals rose slightly to 33 characters. However, only a small fraction of these characters are expected to remain on air next season.
