Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit (1989)
This television mini-series is an adaption of Jeanette
Winterson's 1985 novel of the same name. Believed to be
semi-autobiographical, the series follows Jessica's life from when
she was seven to seventeen. In the show, Jessica develops feelings
for Melanie that goes beyond a friendship, and which makes her
question and rebel against the religious values that her strict
mother had raised her by.
Emmerdale (1993)
This was the year when character Zoe Tate came out as a lesbian
on Emmerdale. Sarah and Lee from AfterEllen said that she was,
"possibly the best representation of a lesbian ever to grace
British soap land. Emmerdale is still the only soap to allow its
lesbian resident to exist without having to wear a sign around her
neck that constantly reinforced her sexuality…No other British soap
opera has managed this since."
Brookside (1994)
1994 saw the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss on British
television in the soap, Brookside. The kiss, which was watched by
six million people, helped to bring lesbians into mainstream telly
even though there were a few protestors at the time. The London
Olympics 2012 paid homage to the infamous scene during its opening
ceremony.
A Village Affair (1995)
The 1989 novel A Village Affair by English romance author Joanna
Trollope was televised by ITV in 1995. Starring Sophie Ward and
Kerry Fox, the story is set in rural England and follows Alice and
her husband Martin, a rich but seemingly dull man as they settle in
to a new village. Their outwardly happy marriage is soon disturbed
when Alice and another village resident Clodough begin a scandalous
affair, particularly in context of the devout religious community
around them. Many have criticised the portrayal of Alice's
sexuality in the novel, implying that she only fell for Clodough
because she was missing out on life.
Queer As Folk (1999)
Chronicling the lives of three young gay men living in
Manchester's gay scene, Queer as Folk is albeit superficially, a
realistic representation of gay urban life in the 1990s, and the
three protagonists- Stuart, Vince, and Nathan, are all gay.
Often described as a groundbreaking drama, Queer as Folk became
particularly controversial when it aired a 15-year old having sex
with an older man, at a time when the age of consent for gay men in
the UK was 18. There were a couple of lesbians in it too.
Tipping the Velvet (2002)
Based on the 1998 novel by Sarah Waters, this BBC television
adaption tells the story of a young woman named Nan who falls in
love with a male impersonator, Kitty. The use of dildos in the
scenes with Diana caused many viewers to protest, despite the BBC
allowing it, but I think this is Victorian erotica and romance at
its finest. It also features one of my all time favourite romantic
lines in television history, "You smell like a mermaid."
Sugar Rush (2005)
Ah, the Channel 4 classic based on the novel by Julie Burchill
about 15-year-old Kim who just moved to Brighton. How can anyone
forget her masturbating with a toothbrush thinking about her best
friend, Sugar? The characters are funny and relatable in their own
way, and not stereotyped. This British teen drama tackles it all
really: sex, sexuality, growing up, families, friendship, and will
always remain a personal favourite.
Fingersmith (2005)
My favourite television adaption of a novel will always be
Fingersmith, a BBC mini-series that is based on Sarah Waters'
acclaimed novel of the same name. The story which is set in 1862,
follows the lives of two young women, from opposite ends of the
spectrum, one living amongst pick-pockets, and the other a young
heiress in a large gothic mansion. The series is a tangled web of
lies, love, manipulation and deceit, and the shocking turn in
events half way through the show will always be one of my favourite
television twists.
The Night Watch (2006)
Set in the 1940s against the turbulent background of London,
this adaption of another Sarah Water's novel, follows four
Londoners -Kay, Helen, Viv and Duncan, who are inextricably linked
by their individual wartime experiences. The narrative technique is
unique in this series as it moves back in time, bringing together
the past and the present, and showing just how bittersweet the post
war victory was.
Torchwood (2006)
Starring openly gay actor John Barrowman, Torchwood is a
spin-off of the popular Doctor Who, starring many queer characters,
including four bisexual characters. A lesbian-themed storyline was
first introduced in the second episode where character Gwen is sent
to investigate a women named Carys, whose body has been possessed
by a sex-starved alien. A very odd storyline this one, as the alien
demands, "orgasmic energy" in order for Carys to survive, and after
much kissing, Gwen is rescued by the alien herself, who admits in
the end, that she can only be fulfilled by a man. Lesbian alien
pheromones anyone?
Hollyoaks (2008)
Zoe Lister who played Zoe Carpenter in Hollyoaks had previously
expressed interest in a lesbian storyline, when she told a
reporter, "I'd definitely do a lesbian love scene in Hollyoaks.
That would be a really good story." Her wishes were answered, as in
2008 things heated up as characters Zoe Carpenter and Sarah Barnes
had a lesbian fling during a girlie getaway. I will add however
copious amounts of alcohol were consumed the night more, making
their lesbian "relationship" somewhat less authentic.
Skins (2009)
Forget Tony and Michelle or Cassie and Sid, Emily and Naomi are
perhaps the most popular couple in Skins history. Referred to by
fans as 'Naomily' they came together after Emily's chasing and
Naomi struggling to come to terms with her sexuality. Audiences
loved these two, and their relationship kept us hanging on across
two series. Word on the street is that they will appear in the
Skins send-off series next year. Yay!
Waterloo Road (2009)
Set in Greater Manchester, Waterloo Road is a British drama
about a high school, which first aired in 2006 on BBC one. Starring
Sarah-Jane Potts, the actress who played Saint in Sugar Rush, her
lesbian character Jo Lipsett brings a rush of excitement to the
staffroom. Heather Peace also played the role of Head of English as
character Nicki Boston in the final part of the seventh series and
is set to return in the second part of series 8!
Coronation Street (2010)
In 2010, Brooke Vincent and Sacha Parkinson (Sophie and Sian
respectively, pictured) took on Weatherfield's first ever
lesbian storyline. The two 18-year-olds began to fall in love after
they took a vow of chastity together at the church, and after
defending their relationship against pretty much the entire street,
we all thought they were in it for the long run…
Lip Service (2010)
In 2010, we were treated to a serial drama that portrayed the
lives of a group of lesbians living in Glasgow, Scotland. The
characterisation was very strong and believable, and made us all
fall in love with Detective Sergeant Sam Murray, played by Heather
Peace and my absolute favourite Australian actress Anna Skellern,
who plays the charismatic and loveable sexy Lexy, also a DIVA cover
star.
Candy Bar Girls (2011)
Channel 5's reality show goal was to challenge lesbian
stereotypes by focusing more sensitively on their lives rather than
the, "girl-on-girl" lifestyle which is often sensationalised in
hetero-normative media. Set in the London club, the show featured
pole dancers, former Big Brother housemate Shabby Katchadourian and
lesbian DJ's living and working in Soho.
Shameless (2011)
The Manchester based comedy Shameless is one of the latest long
running UK TV show's to feature not just lesbians, but a full-on
lesbian sex-scene. The series saw the fictional estate's loud mouth
resident Mimi Maguire and her neighbour Avril Powell get pretty hot
and heated in the sheets, which is always positive when so few
lesbian sex scenes are shown on television, though as Malone
herself recognises, "Shameless sex scenes are cringey" and
sometimes I couldn't agree more!
Upstairs Downstair (2012)
Set in 1938, the second series of this BBC One's drama featured
a steamy lesbian affair between two of the aristocratic characters.
At a time when sex was largely oppressed in society, this is an
exciting storyline to watch unfold as Doctor Who star, Alex
Kingston and Silent Witness actress, Emilia Fox enliven 165 Eaton
Place. It is heavily suspected that the lesbian storyline is an
attempt by the BBC to heat up the show so it can compete with
costume drama rival Downton Abbey.
Last Tango in Halifax (2012)
The series is partly inspired by the writer's mother who fell in
love with an old school friend whom she discovered through the
website Friends Reunited. Teachers Kate and Caroline embark on an
affair after Caroline's husband leaves her for another woman,
though Caroline's apparent confusion over her sexuality causes Kate
to feel disheartened about the status of their relationship. We
won't give the ending away in case you're still enjoying it on
catch-up! The six-part series has been declared a triumph against
TV's ageism proving that love and romance are still very much
prominent in the lives of 60, 70 and even 80-year olds. We look
forward to a new series in 2013.
