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) New queer film Breaking Fast is out today on demand. The film, a gay romantic comedy set during Ramadan, follows Mo (out actor Haaz Sleiman), a Lebanese-American man who meets Kal (Michael Cassidy) and finds they have more than expected in common. The film is directed by out filmmaker Mike Mosallam. It is available on Apple and Google Play to watch now.
2) Animated short film and Oscar contender Kapaemahu is now available to watch online, from the GLAAD Media Award winning team who created the documentaries Kumu Hina and Leitis in Waiting. The short tells the story of the Mahu healers, four incredible beings who embodied spirits of men and women, who brought their healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii. They were beloved by the people for their powers and the four boulders in which they imbued their powers still stand in what is now Waikiki Beach. Their history has been hidden until now. Kapaemahu is available to watch below, for free for the next month.
3) Animated film The Mitchells Vs. The Machines, previously known as Connected, will become a Netflix release at some point in 2021 after Netflix acquired the rights to the Sony-produced film. The film stars out bi actress Abbi Jacobson as Kate Mitchell, who is forced to take a road trip to film school for family bonding, before there is a technological uprising.
4) The trailer has been released for new HBO docuseries The Lady and the Dale. The series will follow Elizabeth Carmichael, a trans woman who became a known figure for selling a fuel-efficient car in the 1970s. The series is co-directed by Nick Cammilleri and Zackary Drucker, an out trans filmmaker. Catch the show on HBO on January 31. In more TV news, queer graphic novel Heartstopper will be adapted into an eight-episode series for Netflix. The books tells the story of Charlie, an out gay teen at a British boarding school who develops feeling for Nick, a soft-hearted rugby player. Euros Lyn is set to direct the series.
5) Peacock’s Saved by the Bell has been renewed for a second season by the streamer. The show, a reboot of the classic ‘90s show, features Josie Totah, a trans actress playing trans character Lexi, one of the popular kids at Bayside High. The first season is available to stream on Peacock. Also renewed is Netflix’s Bridgerton, which features gay character Henry Granville, who will hopefully have a larger role in the Shondaland show’s second season.
6) The trailer for the next special episode of Euphoria has been released. The episode, which will be released tonight on HBO Max before airing on TV this Sunday, follows Jules, the queer trans teen played by trans actress Hunter Schafer, who co-wrote the episode as well. Watch the trailer below and catch the episode tonight or this weekend. TNT’s Snowpiercer, which features several queer characters in the ensemble, has been renewed for a third season. The second season is set to premiere Monday Jan 25 on TNT, and the first season is available to stream on HBO Max.
7) RuPaul’s Drag Race is launching another international offshoot, this time going to Australia and New Zealand. RuPaul’s Drag Race: Down Under will begin airing in 2021, with RuPaul and Michele Visage, and an unknown third judge, serving as the panel for the series. A trailer has been released for the extended tenth season of AMC’s The Walking Dead, picking up where the show left off after COVID delays. The Walking Dead includes queer characters Aaron, Yumiko and Magna in the ensemble. Watch the trailer below and catch the season on February 28.
8) Years and Years, the band fronted by queer singer and actor Olly Alexander, has released a cover of Pet Shop Boys’ “It’s a Sin” in honor of the release of Alexander’s new show of the same title, which premieres in the UK today. It’s a Sin, which tells the story of gay men in England during the early days of the HIV crisis, will premiere on HBO Max in the U.S. later this year, and the song is available to listen to here! Out bi singer Lauren Jauregui also has a new song out to day, a remix of her song “Lento,” featuring out singer Pabllo Vittar. Listen to “Lento (Brabo Remix)” here.
9) The Critics’ Choice Award nominees for television were announced on Monday. Among the nominees are LGBTQ-inclusive series Better Call Saul, Lovecraft Country, Perry Mason, This is Us, Better Things, The Flight Attendent, Ramy, Schitt’s Creek, What We Do in the Shadows, Mrs. America, I May Destroy You, Unorthadox and Bad Education. Out actors Harvey Guillén, Dan Levy, Alex Newell, Andrew Rannells, and Tessa Thompson all received nominations, as well as specials from Andy Cohen, Fortune Feimster, and Hannah Gadsby. The winners will be announced on March 7 on The CW. See the full list of nominees here!