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) Out Euphoria star Hunter Schafer has joined the cast of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Schafer will play Tigris Snow, the cousin of Coriolanus Snow and an old acquaintance of Cressida and Plutarch, who will mature into the autocratic ruler of the dystopian world. In more casting news, out Only Murders in the Building star Nathan Lane has been added to the voice cast of the Apple TV+ animated musical feature Spellbound. The fantasy musical centers on Princess Ellian, who embarks on a dangerous quest to save her family after a mysterious spell transforms them into monsters. Lane will play one of the Oracles of the Sun and Moon that Ellian seeks out in order to break the spell on her parents and save the entire kingdom.
Hunter Schafer is heading to Panem. The #Euphoria star has joined the cast of “#TheHungerGames: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” as Tigris Snow. https://t.co/P5HHm0gWVL pic.twitter.com/JWNudBswkP
— Variety (@Variety) June 22, 2022
2) Peacock has released the official teaser trailer for the upcoming slasher horror They/Them. Set at a conversion therapy camp, the film follows camp director Owen Whistler (Kevin Bacon) and his staff as they attempt to force the LGBTQ campers to become straight and cisgender. As the camp’s methods delve into psychological torment, a mysterious killer begins to claim victims– leaving the campers, led by trans and non-binary character Jordan (out non-binary actor Theo Germaine), to team up, rebel, and protect each other. Additional out actors include Austin Crute, Monique Kim, Anna Lore, Cooper Koch, Darwin del Fabro, and Quei Tann. Watch They/Them August 5 on Peacock and check out the teaser below! In more queer film news, Riverside Entertainment has announced the coming-of-age LGBTQ drama Remy & Arletta. Based on a true story and Micaela Wittman’s bestselling novel of the same name, the film follows two teens struggling to define their co-dependent relationship.
3) The documentary Jeannette, by out director Maris Curran, debuts today at Frameline, the world’s longest-running and largest showcase of queer cinema. Jeannette provides an intimate portrait of Jeannette Feliciano, a queer body-builder, single mother, and survivor of the Pulse Nightclub massacre, in order to examine the impact of mass shootings on individual survivors and communites as a whole. Watch Jeannette in the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival (Frameline46) digital screening room until June 30; purchase your tickets here!
Excited to see @MarisCurran‘s award-winning doc Jeannette at the top of @SFC_Datebook‘s must-see list: https://t.co/34cqHjp1iC
JEANNETTE screens as part of @framelinefest this Friday at 1:30pm at @Castro_Theatre: https://t.co/CNEfr3LwW4 and online June 24-30. #Frameline46https://t.co/EQpxB3mI7X
— Frankly Speaking Films (@FrankSpeakFilms) June 14, 2022
4) Out RuPaul’s Drag Race star Scarlet Envy has set to star in the short film Only Worn Once. The film follows recent divorcée Darcy and her daughter, who sell Darcy’s wedding dress to an 18-year-old getting married to a much older man– leading to a blow-out fight with Darcy’s ex, Don. In other short film news, out Search Party star Sam Pancake has been added to the cast of Fanatic, which follows two failed boy band members who reunite for one last chance at financial success.
Is it me?! Am I officially a movie star?! Gag! https://t.co/eFaNtlSUEz
— Scarlet Envy (@ScarletEnvyNYC) June 22, 2022
5) The Stranger Things four volume two trailer has been released, featuring lesbian character Robin Buckley. Season four of the critically acclaimed supernatural drama series begins six months after the Battle of Starcourt, which brought terror and destruction to Hawkins. Struggling with the aftermath, our group, our group of friends are separated for the first time– and navigating the complexities of high school hasn’t made things any easier. Check out the trailer below and watch the new season on Netflix July 1. In more TV trailer news, the trailer has been released for the second season of reality series MTV’s Following: Bretman Rock, following out Filipino-born online celebrity Bretman Rock. In the sophomore installment of the show, Rock works to save his fracturing relationship with his younger sister, Princess Mae, while navigating his mental health and booming career. Watch the trailer here and tune in to the new season June 27 on MTV YouTube.
6) A24 and HBO Max have announced the upcoming comedy Church Girls, lead and executive produced by Hacks breakout star Megan Stalter. The show is inspired by Stalter’s true-life experiences as a 20-year-old Christian closeted lesbian wrestling with her sexuality and faith in God, while coming-of-age in suburban Ohio. In other casting news, out Saved by the Bell star Josie Totah has been set to star in an upcoming Apple TV+ drama series inspired by Edith Wharton’s unfinished final novel The Buccaneers. The untitled program follows a group of young women, including Josie as Mabel Elmsworth, who explore London in the 1870’s to secure husbands, titles and much more!
7) Out Pose star Rhoyle Ivy King has been promoted to a series regular for the upcoming second season of All American: Homecoming. Season two will continue to explore the lives and struggles of students and athletes at a distinguished HBCU. King’s character, Nathaniel, is a genderfluid stylist and pre-law student at Bringston University. In more casting news, Spice Girls star Mel B has been set to judge season two of the drag singing competition Queen of the Universe, alongside returning judges Michelle Visage, Vanessa Williams and Trixie Mattel.
8) Today, out pop trailblazer Lil Nas X has released his new single “Late To Da Party”, featuring YoungBoy, off his upcoming sophomore album; check it out here! Queer artist Jessica Boudreaux has shared her new noir-pop track “Loves to Break” alongside a music video, off her newly released EP I Think My Heart Loves To Break. Watch the music video here and listen to her acclaimed EP here! In more music news, out alt-folk artist EVVAN has released a new single “Craving”, challenging the gender binary; listen here! MUNA, the band composed queer members Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson, has also released their new album Home by Now; stream it here and watch the music video for new song “What I Want” below. Out singer and drag queen Trixie Mattel released her “The Blonde and Pink Albums” today. Listen here! Additionally, out singer-songwriter Greyson Chance has released his new single “Palladium”, off his forthcoming album– listen to it here! Out singer Layke released her new single XOXO today; listen and watch the video here!
9) Skybound Comics has announced Clementine Book Two, the highly anticipated second installment of the young adult graphic novel trilogy by out award-winning writer Tillie Walden. Set in the world of The Walking Dead, Clementine and her new friends are rescued by an island community, but just as Clementine’s scars are finally beginning to heal, she discovers dark secrets that threaten to tear her new life apart. Buy Clementine Book One in comic shops today– or in bookstores June 28– in anticipation for the October 2023 release of Book Two!
10) The 2022 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival’s full program has been announced. This year’s 40th anniversary lineup includes over 200 films representing 29 countries around the world, with 42 world premieres– featuring previously mentioned films Jeanette and They/Them. The festival will be held from July 14-24 in multiple locations throughout LA and 55 films will be made available virtually; purchase your tickets today (update link Friday)!