Here Are Your Queer Recommendations for Your April Entertainment
You're in for a spring time treat this April with the queer and queer-inclusive shows that will be premiering. From acclaimed film Joyland to the second season of the musical comedy hit Schmigadoon!, this month has a variety of films and television shows for your queer viewing pleasure.
Check out the list below.
Schmigadoon – April 5
Season two of the queer series — which stars out actors Ariana DeBose, Alan Cumming, Dove Cameron, and Titus Burgess — is inspired by the musicals of the 1960s and 1970s. After being trapped in the parallel world of Schmigadoon, Cicely Strong's and Keegan-Michael Key's characters are now in cabaret-themed Schmicago. Catch it on Apple TV+ on April 5.
BEEF - April 6
Once you watch the trailer, your life will never be the same. This dark comedy series stars comedy genius Ali Wong and Oscar-nominated actor Steven Yeun who enter an all-out feud after a roadrage incident. The show features Maria Bello as a queer woman who helps Wong's character rise in the business world. It's out on Netflix on April 6.
Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies - April 6
Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is set a few years before the problematic-yet-beloved film shows the origins of Rydell High School's infamous girl gang. A group of young teenage girls comes together to rise in their school's social hierarchy. The music, dance numbers, and acting seem more than on point. Watch the trailer for a cute queer kiss. It hits Paramount+ on April 6.
Joyland – April 7
Pakistani filmmaker Saim Sadiq has already made history, with his feature debut Joyland being temporarily banned by the government of Pakistan and becoming the first Pakistani film to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Joyland centers on Haider, a married man who joins an erotic dance theater as a backup dancer to a transgender dancer. Joyland will be released in New York City on April 7 and in Los Angeles on April 21, with more cities expected to follow.
How to Blow Up a Pipeline – April 7
Loosely based on a non-fiction book of the same name, How To Blow Up a Pipeline is a thriller that follows a group of activists as they plan to detonate a pipeline in pursuit of environmental justice. The film was co-written by out queer actress Ariela Barer (Runaways), who also stars in the film alongside a fictional lesbian couple. How To Blow Up A Pipeline will be released in theaters on April 7.
Single Drunk Female – April 12
Truth be told, I didn’t know much about Freeform’s Single Drunk Female, but when I heard that Rebecca Henderson was playing a lesbian, I was in. But that’s not all that’s queer about this comedy series. Out creator Simone Finch gives us another character that just happens to date men and women, and I can’t wait to see what she’s up to when Season 2 premieres on April 12.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – April 14
The fifth and final season of the beloved comedy The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will air on April 14. Last season, the charismatic housewife-turned-comedian Midge Maisel tricked her manager Susie into going to a lesbian bar, and maybe, just maybe, this season, Susie will be explicitly confirmed as queer like the viewers want.
A Black Lady Sketch Show – April 14
HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show has always been queer, and we’re hoping that the fourth season will continue that trend. Season 4, which will feature three new cast members - DaMya Gurley, Tamara Jade, and Angel Laketa Moore – premieres on HBO on April 14.
Dead Ringers – April 21
From her queer role on The Favorite to her sexy performance in Disobedience, Rachel Weisz is and will always be a queer icon. Next up, Weisz will play twin doctors on the television show Dead Ringers, which is an adaptation of a 1988 film by David Cronenberg. Lucky for us, Weisz will be playing queer again. Dead Ringers premieres on Amazon Prime on April 21.
Little Richard: I Am Everything – April 21
Little Richard was not always consistent in his views of sexuality, sometimes denouncing LGBTQ+ identities and other times proudly identifying as gay or bisexual. His music career and personal life are the subject of the documentary Little Richard: I Am Everything, which was shown at the Sundance Film Festival. Little Richard will be released for a special one-night-only screening on April 11, followed by additional theaters and a digital release on April 21.
Somebody Somewhere – April 23
Out actor and comedian Jeff Hiller was a fan-favorite on the first season of HBO’s offbeat comedy, Somebody Somewhere. Hiller plays Joel, a nerdy yet sexy gay Christian man who supports a woman named Sam, who has returned to Kansas to take care of her dying sister. The second season of Somebody Somewhere premieres on HBO on April 23.
Firefly Lane – April 27
The television adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s emotional Firefly Lane will come to a close with part 2 of the second season. Starring Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke, Firefly Lane follows two childhood besties over the course of a decades-long friendship, and unlike the book, the show has two queer side characters. Firefly Lane returns to Netflix on April 27.
The End of Sex – April 28
Last year, queer actress Emily Hampshire graced the cover of our March issue, and discussed her role on Schitt’s Creek as the loveable and quirky Stevie Budd. Now, she’s starring and executive producing The End of Sex, a romantic comedy about a couple who wants to spice things up in the bedroom while their daughters are away at camp. Keep your eyes peeled for the queer representation when The End of Sex hits theaters on April 28.
