Every week, the GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBTQ-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend!
1) The long anticipated film finale Carmilla is out on demand today, as well as in theaters in Canada. The movie, which wraps up the hit web series of the same name, takes place five years after the events of the series. It continues to follow the adventures of aspiring journalist Laura and her girlfriend the titular former vampire Carmilla, as they have to jump back in the game of fighting against supernatural forces and assemble the whole team again. In addition to telling a compelling and fun story, Carmilla is significant for having multiple LGBTQ characters and putting queer women front and center of all the action. The film is available to purchase on demand here and you can watch the trailer below!
2) Critically acclaimed British drama God’s Own Country opened this week in New York and LA. The film centers around a romance between a young sheep farmer and the Romanian migrant who comes to work on his farm. After premiering at Sundance, where it won the World Cinema Directing Award for a Dramatic Film, the film has made the festival rounds to rave reviews. Check out the trailer below!
3) Starring out Tony Award-winning out actor Denis O’Hare, PBS American Masters will be taking on the story of Edgar Allen Poe with Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive. The film will air on PBS on October 30th at 9 p.m., and will be available to stream just in time for Halloween on PBS’s website. In other film news, out actor Dan Bucatinsky has been cast in the Jennifer Lopez romantic comedy Second Act, and out pansexual singer Miley Cyrus has signed on to be an executive producer of upcoming documentary Lost in America, which tells the story of homeless youth in this country.
4) The casting has been announced for FX’s Pose, a new pilot from out creator Ryan Murphy set in Manhattan in the 80s, that delves into a variety of cultures including the infamous New York ball scene. Several trans actors have been cast in the project, the most trans series regulars to ever be cast on a television show. These talents include MJ Rodriguez, Indya Moore, Dominique Jackson, Hailie Sahar, and Angelica Ross whose interview with Trever Noah received a GLAAD Media Award earlier this year. Currently only a pilot has been ordered, which goes into production this November, but hopefully this show will get picked up to series and make history. To read more, check out GLAAD's blog posts on the impressive cast and creative team, and how they mark an important moment for the trans community.
5) Another trailer has been released for Marvel’s Runaways coming to Hulu this November. Based on the popular comic book series, Runaways follows a group of teens who figure out their parents are evil criminals conspiring together. Included in the trailer and the group is Karolina Dean, a lesbian extra-terrestrial hero, who makes the jump to screen from the book. It’s exciting to see a queer women in a central role on a superhero television show, and hopefully this will be a step more LGBTQ representation in comic book adaptations. Marvel’s Runaways premieres on Hulu on November 21st, and you can watch the trailer below.
6) CBS All Access’ Star Trek: Discovery has officially been renewed for a second season. The first series of the television franchise to include gay characters, played by out actors Anthony Rapp and Wilson Cruz, this renewal will mean we get to see more of their story. In other TV news, out actress Clea DuVall has been cast in The Handmaid’s Tale as the wife of Emily, the role which won Alexis Bledel an Emmy last season.
7) Out actress and comedian Jane Lynch has a potential daytime talk show in the works from Warner Brother’s Telepictures who also produce Ellen DeGeneres’ wildly successful talk show. Lynch’s show would stray from the celebrity guest format, and premiere in fall of 2018. For the second year in a row, acapella sensation Pentatonix has a holiday special airing on NBC, A Very Pentatonix Christmas. The special will air on November 27th, right before the group will embark on a holiday tour beginning on December 3rd.
8) Out recording artist Sam Smith recently released the track “Burning,” off his upcoming album, on BBC Radio. Smith says that "It's the most personal song I've ever written in my life," and that it is his favorite song off the album. This sophomore album, The Thrill of It All, will come out November 3rd, including “Burning” and previously released tracks “Pray” and “Too Good at Goodbyes.” Listen to “Burning” now below!
9) Gay pop duo SUPERFRUIT released a video today for their song GUY.EXE. Just in time for Halloween, the video takes us to a spooky lab, where Mitch Grassi plays a mad scientist trying to concoct the perfect guy represented in the form of Scott Hoying. The song is a fun queer take on the idea of “the perfect guy,” and the video represents that with full commitment and “Thriller”-esque choreography. Watch the video below!
10) Erin’s Guide to Kissing Girls is a much needed queer young adult film that follows the titular 12-year-old Erin as she tries to woo the most popular girl in school. Unlike many other LGBTQ young adult stories seen so far, this film doesn’t revolve around coming out or facing discrimination or bullying, it’s simply a story of middle school crushes, and friendship between girls. Right now, the filmmakers are seeking funding to finish the film and tell this story. You can find out more info on the project here and how you can help!
