Queer as Folk (British TV series)

Queer as Folk is a British television drama series that aired on Channel 4 from 1999 to 2000. It was created by Russell T Davies and follows the lives of three gay men living in Manchester's gay village around Canal Street.

The series is notable for its frank and explicit portrayal of gay life, addressing topics such as sex, relationships, drug use, and homophobia. The central characters are: Stuart Alan Jones, an unapologetically promiscuous and charismatic man who manipulates those around him; Vince Tyler, Stuart’s best friend who harbours unrequited love for him; and Nathan Maloney, a naive 15-year-old who arrives on the scene and is quickly drawn into their world.

The show generated considerable controversy upon its release due to its explicit content, but it also received critical acclaim for its groundbreaking representation of gay characters and storylines. It is credited with helping to bring gay issues into the mainstream and paving the way for future LGBTQ+ representation on television.

The success of the British series led to an American adaptation, also titled Queer as Folk, which aired from 2000 to 2005. While sharing the same premise and some similar character archetypes, the American version was set in Pittsburgh and featured a different cast and storylines. The original British series is considered more gritty and realistic than its American counterpart.