The Queer as Folk reboot, a.k.a. one of our most anticipated TV series of the year, officially has a premiere date, and the wait won't be nearly as long as you might think. The series will debut exclusively on Peacock on Thursday, June 9, and will star Devin Way (Grey's Anatomy, Station 19), Fin Argus (Clouds, The Gifted), Jesse James Keitel (Big Sky), CG (Acts of Crime), Johnny Sibilly (Hacks, Pose), and Ryan O'Connell (Special, Will & Grace).
This reimagining of Russell T. Davies's groundbreaking British series moves the action from Manchester, England, to New Orleans and will focus on a group of friends who find their lives forever changed in the aftermath of a tragedy.
The new series is the creation of Stephen Dunn, who has a deep personal connection to the original. "Growing up, I was desperate for any sort of connection with people like me. It was the first time I really felt seen. The show offered a new paradigm -- one where we could accept and celebrate queer love, families, and communities on a global stage. It was truly iconic. I am honored that Russell T. Davies, the creator of the original series, entrusted me to continue this legacy," he said in a press statement. His mission with this reboot is to reflect queer community as it is today, diverse and unique. "I am immensely proud that the new series consists of an electric ensemble of fresh characters that mirror the modern global audience. If there's one person who is able to see Queer as Folk and feel less alone, or who now feels more supported and seen, our job is done," Dunn added. "In the true spirit of the original, our show doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of our community, but above all else, the series is about people who live vibrant, vital, unapologetically queer lives."
It was Dunn's approach that initially interested Davies in seeing the property return again. "I'm very proud of what we achieved in 1999, but in queer years, that was a millennium ago! As a community, we've radicalized, explored, opened up, and found new worlds -- with new enemies and new allies -- and there was so much to be said," Davies explained in the announcement. "Stephen pitched a brand new version of Queer as Folk with so much imagination, insight, and crucially, joy, that I simply couldn't resist. I thought it was about time the title belonged to a whole new generation. The 2022 show is more diverse, more wild, more free, more angry -- everything a queer show should be."
For executive producer and writer Jaclyn Moore, the new series is an opportunity to tell better trans narratives that reflect that community and its humanity. "I believe deeply in the power of storytelling to make people feel seen, but all too often I feel as though queer and trans representation in art is limited to extremes. We are either shown as saintly heroes bravely surviving a bigoted society or two-dimensional queer-coded villains that feel airdropped in from some previous era," Moore said. "With Queer as Folk, we aimed to depict queer characters who live in the messy middle."
We also got our first look at the new cast we're already obsessed with. Character descriptions are courtesy of Peacock.
Devin Way (he/him) will play Brodie (he/him), a charming and sometimes chaotic commitment-phobe who finds a reason to stay in New Orleans after tragedy rocks his community.
Fin Argus (they/them) will play Mingus (he/him/they/them), a cocky high schooler whose confidence belies their lack of real-world experience.
Jesse James Keitel (she/her) will play Ruthie (she/her), a trans, semi-reformed party girl who is struggling to grow up.
CG (they/them) will play Shar (they/them), a non-binary professor navigating the rocky transition from punk to parenthood.
Johnny Sibilly (he/him) will play Noah (he/him), a successful lawyer who is not as put together as he seems.
Ryan O'Connell (he/him) will play Julian (he/him), a pop culture nerd with cerebral palsy who is more than ready for some independence.
Armand Fields (they/them) will play Bussey (she/her in drag, he/him out of drag), the reigning drag queen and matriarch of the local scene.
Eric Graise (he/him) will play Marvin (he/him), a jaded barfly who DNGAF about your problems.
The cast is also joined by a star-studded supporting lineup including Kim Cattrall, Juliette Lewis, and Ed Begley Jr.
Watch the date announcement teaser below.
