Nonbinary gender in fiction: Difference between revisions
→TV (live-action): Sorting by year that the nonbinary characters debuted
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===TV (live-action)=== | ===TV (live-action)=== | ||
*The Netflix sci-fi series ''The Umbrella Academy'' features Klaus, who according to the actor is "not necessarily a man, he's kind of just this creature that's not bound by traditional societal norms like 'man', 'woman', 'masculinity', 'femininity'. He just sort of… is.” Klaus is played by a cis man and called "he" throughout.<ref>"[https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/02/225048/umbrella-academy-klaus-robert-sheehan-ex-girlfriend-dating-sexuality Get Ready To Stan ''The'' ''Umbrella Academy's'' Robert Sheehan]", Rachel Paige, February 22 2019, ''Refinery29''.</ref> | *The Netflix sci-fi series ''The Umbrella Academy'' features Klaus, who according to the actor is "not necessarily a man, he's kind of just this creature that's not bound by traditional societal norms like 'man', 'woman', 'masculinity', 'femininity'. He just sort of… is.” Klaus is played by a cis man and called "he" throughout.<ref>"[https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/02/225048/umbrella-academy-klaus-robert-sheehan-ex-girlfriend-dating-sexuality Get Ready To Stan ''The'' ''Umbrella Academy's'' Robert Sheehan]", Rachel Paige, February 22 2019, ''Refinery29''.</ref> | ||
*The Amazon mini-series ''Good Omens'' features the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and Pollution (who replaced Pestilence at some point in the past few centuries) is nonbinary, and is referred to as "sir" by another character and with they/them pronouns by the narrator. They are played by Lourdes Faberes. | *The Amazon mini-series ''Good Omens'' features the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and Pollution (who replaced Pestilence at some point in the past few centuries) is nonbinary, and is referred to as "sir" by another character and with they/them pronouns by the narrator. They are played by Lourdes Faberes. | ||
*Bishop in the Fox drama series ''Deputy'' is nonbinary canonically, thanks to a suggestion by the character's actor [[Bex Taylor-Klaus]] who is also nonbinary.<ref name="Bentley">{{Cite web |title=Bex Taylor-Klaus Hopes Their Nonbinary 'Deputy' Character Will Save Lives |last=Bentley |first=Jean |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=14 February 2020 |access-date=23 April 2020 |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bex-taylor-klaus-deputy-binary-reveal-1279351 }}</ref> | *Bishop in the Fox drama series ''Deputy'' is nonbinary canonically, thanks to a suggestion by the character's actor [[Bex Taylor-Klaus]] who is also nonbinary.<ref name="Bentley">{{Cite web |title=Bex Taylor-Klaus Hopes Their Nonbinary 'Deputy' Character Will Save Lives |last=Bentley |first=Jean |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=14 February 2020 |access-date=23 April 2020 |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bex-taylor-klaus-deputy-binary-reveal-1279351 }}</ref> | ||
*The comedy-drama miniseries ''Fucking Adelaide'' (aka ''F*!#ing Adelaide'') features a [[genderfluid]] child, Cleo, played by nonbinary actor [[Audrey Mason-Hyde]].<ref name="Tedmanson">{{Cite web |title=How non-binary teenager Audrey Mason-Hyde is breaking down gender identity stereotypes, one label at a time |last=Tedmanson |first=Sophie |work=Vogue Australia |date=1 January 2019 |access-date=3 May 2020 |url= https://www.vogue.com.au/culture/lifestyle/how-nonbinary-teenager-audrey-masonhyde-is-breaking-down-gender-identity-stereotypes-one-label-at-a-time/news-story/9c213c8adcd6395a7ff8abf41592e4d3}}</ref> | *The comedy-drama miniseries ''Fucking Adelaide'' (aka ''F*!#ing Adelaide'') features a [[genderfluid]] child, Cleo, played by nonbinary actor [[Audrey Mason-Hyde]].<ref name="Tedmanson">{{Cite web |title=How non-binary teenager Audrey Mason-Hyde is breaking down gender identity stereotypes, one label at a time |last=Tedmanson |first=Sophie |work=Vogue Australia |date=1 January 2019 |access-date=3 May 2020 |url= https://www.vogue.com.au/culture/lifestyle/how-nonbinary-teenager-audrey-masonhyde-is-breaking-down-gender-identity-stereotypes-one-label-at-a-time/news-story/9c213c8adcd6395a7ff8abf41592e4d3}}</ref> | ||
* Mo, a main character on ''Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist'', is genderfluid.<ref>https://lezwatchtv.com/character/mo-3/</ref> | * Mo, a main character on ''Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist'', is genderfluid.<ref>https://lezwatchtv.com/character/mo-3/</ref> | ||
* In the fourth season of ''Degrassi: Next Class'', Yael comes out as [[genderqueer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/degrassi-next-class-yael-genderqueer/|work=TV Guide|date=7 July 2017|last=Gennis|first=Sadie|title=Degrassi: Next Class: [Spoiler] Comes Out as the Show's First Genderqueer Character!}}</ref> | * In the fourth season of ''Degrassi: Next Class'', Yael comes out as [[genderqueer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/degrassi-next-class-yael-genderqueer/|work=TV Guide|date=7 July 2017|last=Gennis|first=Sadie|title=Degrassi: Next Class: [Spoiler] Comes Out as the Show's First Genderqueer Character!}}</ref> | ||
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* In ''Love in the Time of Corona'', [[Tommy Dorfman]] plays the nonbinary hairstylist Oscar.<ref name="Ramos-Corona">{{Cite web |title='Love In The Time Of Corona': Freeform Sets Leslie Odom Jr., Nicolette Robinson, Tommy Dorfman, Rainey Qualley And 4 More For Limited Series Event |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |work=Deadline |date=29 June 2020 |access-date=17 November 2020 |url= https://deadline.com/2020/06/love-in-the-time-of-corona-freeform-leslie-odom-jr-nicolette-robinson-tommy-dorfman-rainey-qualle-gil-bellows-rya-kihlstedt-ava-bellows-l-scott-caldwell-1202972774/}}</ref> | * In ''Love in the Time of Corona'', [[Tommy Dorfman]] plays the nonbinary hairstylist Oscar.<ref name="Ramos-Corona">{{Cite web |title='Love In The Time Of Corona': Freeform Sets Leslie Odom Jr., Nicolette Robinson, Tommy Dorfman, Rainey Qualley And 4 More For Limited Series Event |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |work=Deadline |date=29 June 2020 |access-date=17 November 2020 |url= https://deadline.com/2020/06/love-in-the-time-of-corona-freeform-leslie-odom-jr-nicolette-robinson-tommy-dorfman-rainey-qualle-gil-bellows-rya-kihlstedt-ava-bellows-l-scott-caldwell-1202972774/}}</ref> | ||
* In season three, episode two of ''The Detour'', there is a nonbinary character named Sarah and a [[Two-spirit]] character called Big Poppa.<ref name="Haskoor-Detour">{{Cite web |title=‘The Detour’ Season 3 Is Tackling Gender Norms & Stereotypes Left And Right |last=Haskoor |first=Michael |work=Decider |date=11 February 2018 |access-date=17 November 2020 |url= https://decider.com/2018/02/11/the-detour-season-3-is-tackling-gender-norms-stereotypes-left-and-right/}}</ref> | * In season three, episode two of ''The Detour'', there is a nonbinary character named Sarah and a [[Two-spirit]] character called Big Poppa.<ref name="Haskoor-Detour">{{Cite web |title=‘The Detour’ Season 3 Is Tackling Gender Norms & Stereotypes Left And Right |last=Haskoor |first=Michael |work=Decider |date=11 February 2018 |access-date=17 November 2020 |url= https://decider.com/2018/02/11/the-detour-season-3-is-tackling-gender-norms-stereotypes-left-and-right/}}</ref> | ||
* Season 2, episode 5 of ''Batwoman'' introduced the nonbinary character Evan Blake, who is a friend of protagonist Kate Kane. Evan is played by Lincoln Clauss.<ref name="Batwoman>{{Cite web |title=Batwoman Writer Explains the Importance of the Show's New Nonbinary Character |last=Erao |first=Math |work=CBR |date= |access-date=27 February 2021 |url= https://www.cbr.com/batwoman-nonbinary-evan-blake-writer-coments/}}</ref> | * Season 2, episode 5 of ''Batwoman'' introduced the nonbinary character Evan Blake, who is a friend of protagonist Kate Kane. Evan is played by Lincoln Clauss.<ref name="Batwoman>{{Cite web |title=Batwoman Writer Explains the Importance of the Show's New Nonbinary Character |last=Erao |first=Math |work=CBR |date= |access-date=27 February 2021 |url= https://www.cbr.com/batwoman-nonbinary-evan-blake-writer-coments/}}</ref> | ||
* A nonbinary character named Alex plays a minor role in the drama series ''This Is Us''. Alex is played by nonbinary lesbian [[Presley Alexander]], and is the love interest of main character Tess. Alex first appears in the season five episode "Changes". | * A nonbinary character named Alex plays a minor role in the drama series ''This Is Us''. Alex is played by nonbinary lesbian [[Presley Alexander]], and is the love interest of main character Tess. Alex first appears in the season five episode "Changes". | ||
* The Peacock comedy series ''Rutherford Falls'' (2021) features a nonbinary character named Bobbie, played by nonbinary actor [[Jesse Leigh]]. The character was originally written as a gay man, but after Leigh auditioned in "glam-core" 1970s fashion, the show staff decided to make Bobbie nonbinary.<ref name="RutherfordFalls">{{Cite web |title=Jesse Leigh Is the Witchy, Nonbinary Bestie We All Need in Our Lives |last=Rudolph |first=Christopher |work=NewNowNext |date=22 April 2021 |access-date=25 April 2021 |url= http://www.newnownext.com/jesse-leigh-nonbinary-rutherford-falls/04/2021/ |quote=Bobbie was originally, I think, gay and male-presenting. So I went to the audition and I thought, I'm going to just make the character my own. And I did — I remember I wore bellbottoms, really cute, all '70s. I did a really cute winged liner and I was just myself; that's what I just wear on an everyday basis. So I show up in a little bit of glam-core, and they loved the character so much that they eventually ended up making Bobbie nonbinary. }}</ref> | * The Peacock comedy series ''Rutherford Falls'' (2021) features a nonbinary character named Bobbie, played by nonbinary actor [[Jesse Leigh]]. The character was originally written as a gay man, but after Leigh auditioned in "glam-core" 1970s fashion, the show staff decided to make Bobbie nonbinary.<ref name="RutherfordFalls">{{Cite web |title=Jesse Leigh Is the Witchy, Nonbinary Bestie We All Need in Our Lives |last=Rudolph |first=Christopher |work=NewNowNext |date=22 April 2021 |access-date=25 April 2021 |url= http://www.newnownext.com/jesse-leigh-nonbinary-rutherford-falls/04/2021/ |quote=Bobbie was originally, I think, gay and male-presenting. So I went to the audition and I thought, I'm going to just make the character my own. And I did — I remember I wore bellbottoms, really cute, all '70s. I did a really cute winged liner and I was just myself; that's what I just wear on an everyday basis. So I show up in a little bit of glam-core, and they loved the character so much that they eventually ended up making Bobbie nonbinary. }}</ref> | ||
* Kids' show ''Fruit Salad TV'' includes the nonbinary characters Shirley Shawn, Officer Beaples, and Bok.<ref name="Spadafore">{{Cite web |title=Conservatives Outraged After The Wiggles' New Kids' TV Show Introduces Non-Binary Unicorn |last=Spadafore |first=Sam |work=Comic Sands |date=24 August 2021 |access-date=25 August 2021 |url= https://www.comicsands.com/wiggles-nonbinary-unicorn-conservative-outrage-2654765310.html }}</ref> | * Kids' show ''Fruit Salad TV'' includes the nonbinary characters Shirley Shawn, Officer Beaples, and Bok.<ref name="Spadafore">{{Cite web |title=Conservatives Outraged After The Wiggles' New Kids' TV Show Introduces Non-Binary Unicorn |last=Spadafore |first=Sam |work=Comic Sands |date=24 August 2021 |access-date=25 August 2021 |url= https://www.comicsands.com/wiggles-nonbinary-unicorn-conservative-outrage-2654765310.html }}</ref> | ||
====2016==== | |||
*The Canadian magical-realism comedy series ''The Switch'' features a nonbinary character, Chris, who uses "zie/zir" pronouns, and works as an assassin. Chris is played by Amy "Robbin" Fox. | |||
====2017==== | ====2017==== | ||
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====2018==== | ====2018==== | ||
*On ''One Day at a Time'', Syd (played by Sheridan Pierce) is the nonbinary romantic partner of Elena. Syd uses [[singular they]] pronouns and is uncomfortable with binary-gendered terms such as "girlfriend".<ref name="Heim">{{Cite web |title=What is "non-binary"? Learn from our favorite TV characters|last=Heim |first=Bec |work=Film Daily |date=26 March 2020 |access-date=24 April 2020 |url= https://filmdaily.co/news/non-binary-tv-characters/}}</ref> | *On ''One Day at a Time'', Syd (played by Sheridan Pierce) is the nonbinary romantic partner of Elena. Syd uses [[singular they]] pronouns and is uncomfortable with binary-gendered terms such as "girlfriend".<ref name="Heim">{{Cite web |title=What is "non-binary"? Learn from our favorite TV characters |last=Heim |first=Bec |work=Film Daily |date=26 March 2020 |access-date=24 April 2020 |url= https://filmdaily.co/news/non-binary-tv-characters/}}</ref> | ||
====2019==== | ====2019==== | ||
* In season one, episode seven of the legal drama ''All Rise'' (titled "Uncommon Women and Mothers"), Emily's client is a homeless nonbinary youth named Jax, played by [[transmasculine]] actor JJ Hawkins.<ref name="AllRise">{{Cite web |title=All Rise Review: Uncommon Women and Mothers (Season 1 Episode 7) |last=Wyneken |first=Caitlin |work=Tell-Tale TV |date=5 November 2019 |access-date=27 October 2020 |url= https://telltaletv.com/2019/11/all-rise-review-uncommon-women-and-mothers-season-1-episode-7/}}</ref> Jax is misgendered during a court proceeding and their lawyer speaks up in objection, convincing the judge to enforce use of the correct [[they/them]] pronouns for Jax.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/CE-BHDBhtrE/ Instagram post] 10 September 2020</ref> | * In season one, episode seven of the legal drama ''All Rise'' (titled "Uncommon Women and Mothers"), Emily's client is a homeless nonbinary youth named Jax, played by [[transmasculine]] actor JJ Hawkins.<ref name="AllRise">{{Cite web |title=All Rise Review: Uncommon Women and Mothers (Season 1 Episode 7) |last=Wyneken |first=Caitlin |work=Tell-Tale TV |date=5 November 2019 |access-date=27 October 2020 |url= https://telltaletv.com/2019/11/all-rise-review-uncommon-women-and-mothers-season-1-episode-7/}}</ref> Jax is misgendered during a court proceeding and their lawyer speaks up in objection, convincing the judge to enforce use of the correct [[they/them]] pronouns for Jax.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/CE-BHDBhtrE/ Instagram post] 10 September 2020</ref> | ||
*The second season of ''Good Trouble'' has a nonbinary character named Joey played by Daisy Eagan. Joey, who uses [[they/them]] pronouns, is dating the lesbian character Alice, and asks to be called "partner" instead of "girlfriend".<ref name="Gilchrist">{{Cite web |title='Good Trouble' Tackles Coming Out as Nonbinary — While Dating! |last=Gilchrist |first=Tracy E. |work=The Advocate |date=17 July 2019 |access-date=20 June 2020 |url= https://www.advocate.com/television/2019/7/16/good-trouble-tackles-coming-out-nonbinary-while-dating}}</ref> | *The second season of ''Good Trouble'' has a nonbinary character named Joey played by Daisy Eagan. Joey, who uses [[they/them]] pronouns, is dating the lesbian character Alice, and asks to be called "partner" instead of "girlfriend".<ref name="Gilchrist">{{Cite web |title='Good Trouble' Tackles Coming Out as Nonbinary — While Dating! |last=Gilchrist |first=Tracy E. |work=The Advocate |date=17 July 2019 |access-date=20 June 2020 |url= https://www.advocate.com/television/2019/7/16/good-trouble-tackles-coming-out-nonbinary-while-dating}}</ref> | ||
* In the BBC comedy miniseries ''Don't Forget the Driver'', the character Bradley/Brad is nonbinary, and played by nonbinary actor [[Jo Eaton-Kent]].<ref name="DFTD">{{Cite web |title=Interview with Jo Eaton-Kent |author= |work=bbc.co.uk |date=2 April 2019 |access-date=13 July 2021 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/dontforgetthedriver/jo}}</ref> | |||
*In the drama ''David Makes Man'', the character Mx Elijah/Ms Elijah (played by nonbinary actor [[Travis Coles]]) is [[genderqueer]] and [[gender nonconforming]]<ref name="OWN">{{Cite web |title=Meet Mx. Elijah {{!}} David Makes Man |author=OWN |work=YouTube |date=8 August 2019 |access-date=20 June 2020 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtX0OwY5X4I}}</ref>, and according to Coles, has no pronoun preference.<ref name="DavidMakesMan">{{Cite web |title='David Makes Man' star Travis Coles on Ms Elijah and representation of Black queer people |author=MEAWW |work=YouTube |date=10 August 2019 |access-date=20 June 2020 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ItZzo2-0gA}}</ref> | |||
====2020==== | ====2020==== | ||
* The British comedy ''Maxxx'' has a nonbinary character named Roxx (played by Sonny Charlton), who uses [[they/them]] pronouns and is a romantic interest of Amit.<ref name="Maxxx">{{Cite web |title=Hulu's 'Maxxx' Features a Refreshing Nonbinary Romantic Interest |last=Henderson |first=Taylor |work=Pride.com |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=4 March 2021 |url= https://www.pride.com/tv/2020/8/05/hulus-maxxx-features-refreshing-nonbinary-romantic-interest}}</ref> | * The British comedy ''Maxxx'' has a nonbinary character named Roxx (played by Sonny Charlton), who uses [[they/them]] pronouns and is a romantic interest of Amit.<ref name="Maxxx">{{Cite web |title=Hulu's 'Maxxx' Features a Refreshing Nonbinary Romantic Interest |last=Henderson |first=Taylor |work=Pride.com |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=4 March 2021 |url= https://www.pride.com/tv/2020/8/05/hulus-maxxx-features-refreshing-nonbinary-romantic-interest}}</ref> | ||
* In the Hulu comedy series ''Shrill'', the character Em is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns. Em is played by [[E.R. Fightmaster]] who is also nonbinary and uses they/them as well.<ref name="Bradley-Shrill">{{Cite web |title='Shrill' Ends on Its Best Season Yet Thanks to a Heart-Bursting Queer Romance |author=Bradley, Laura |work=The Daily Beast |date=12 May 2021 |access-date=17 May 2021 |url= https://www.thedailybeast.com/shrill-ends-on-its-best-season-yet-thanks-to-a-heart-bursting-queer-romance}}</ref> | |||
* The drama series ''P-Valley'' follows several people who work at a Mississippi strip club named "The Pynk". The club's owner is Uncle Clifford, a nonbinary [[genderfluid]] person who uses [[she/her]] pronouns.<ref name="P-Valley">{{Cite web |title=P-Valley's Nicco Annan on Black queerness, serving looks, and why 'femininity is total strength' |author=Opie, David |work=Digital Spy |date=7 December 2020 |access-date=18 December 2020 |url= https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a33132271/p-valley-nicco-annan-uncle-clifford-katori-hall-interview/ |quote=And Uncle Clifford is a beautiful, black, non-binary queer who identifies with the pronoun 'she'. She's very gender fluid.}}</ref> Uncle Clifford is played by Nicco Annan, an out gay man.<ref name="esse_Meet">{{Cite web |title=Meet Nicco Annan: 'P-Valley's' Uncle Clifford Who's Giving Us Life |last=Penrice |first=Ronda Racha |work=Essence |date=27 July 2020 |access-date=18 December 2020 |url= https://www.essence.com/entertainment/meet-nicco-annan-p-valleys-uncle-clifford-whos-giving-us-life/ |quote='As a Black man and as a Black gay man, it's very seldom that I get the opportunity to tell such a rich, lush story that really means something and that I really feel speaks to my community and can uplift us," he says of ''P-Valley''. }}</ref> | |||
====2021==== | ====2021==== | ||
* BBC America's ''The Watch'' features Cheery Littlebottom, who is referred to by they/them and she/her pronouns and is played by [[Jo Eaton-Kent]] (who is trans and whose pronouns are also they/them and she/her). | * BBC America's ''The Watch'' features Cheery Littlebottom, who is referred to by they/them and she/her pronouns and is played by [[Jo Eaton-Kent]] (who is trans and whose pronouns are also they/them and she/her). | ||
* Nonbinary physician Dr. Kai Bartley (played by nonbinary actor [[E.R. Fightmaster]]) is a recurring character in ''Grey's Anatomy''. Dr. Bartley first appeared in the episode "Hotter Than Hell" (season 18, episode 3).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet 'Grey's Anatomy's First-Ever Nonbinary Doctor |last=Rude |first=Mey |work=out.com |date=28 October 2021 |access-date=1 November 2021 |url= https://www.out.com/television/2021/10/28/meet-greys-anatomys-first-ever-nonbinary-doctor}}</ref> | * Nonbinary physician Dr. Kai Bartley (played by nonbinary actor [[E.R. Fightmaster]]) is a recurring character in ''Grey's Anatomy''. Dr. Bartley first appeared in the episode "Hotter Than Hell" (season 18, episode 3).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet 'Grey's Anatomy's First-Ever Nonbinary Doctor |last=Rude |first=Mey |work=out.com |date=28 October 2021 |access-date=1 November 2021 |url= https://www.out.com/television/2021/10/28/meet-greys-anatomys-first-ever-nonbinary-doctor}}</ref> | ||
* [[Mae Martin]]'s character in ''Feel Good'' comes out as nonbinary in the season finale.<ref name="Dry-FeelGood">{{Cite web |title='Feel Good' Review: Mae Martin's Devastating Queer Comedy Levels Up in Season 2 |last=Dry |first=Jude |work=IndieWire |date=4 June 2021 |access-date=25 August 2021 |url= https://www.indiewire.com/2021/06/feel-good-review-netflix-queer-mae-martin-season-2-1234642428/ }}</ref>* In the live-action remake of ''Cowboy Bebop'', Grencia Mars Elijah Guo Eckener, nicknamed Gren, is nonbinary and played by nonbinary actor [[Mason Alexander Park]].<ref name="RomanoCB">{{Cite web |title=Cowboy Bebop live-action series officially makes anime character Gren nonbinary |trans-title= |last=Romano |first=Nick |work=Entertainment Weekly |date=19 November 2020 |access-date=19 November 2020 |url= https://ew.com/tv/cowboy-bebop-gren-nonbinary-mason-alexander-park/ |language=EN}}</ref> | |||
===Webseries === | ===Webseries === | ||