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 new Netflix original film The Half of It drops today on the streaming platform. Directed, produced, and written by out filmmaker Alice Wu, the movie follows shy teen Ellie Chu who gets hired by jock Paul to write love letters to his crush, Aster, but things get complicated when Ellie begins having feelings for her as well. The film marks Wu’s return to film sixteen years after her hit Saving Face. The Half of It is streaming on Netflix now; watch the trailer below.
2) The documentary A Secret Love, which follows the decades-long relationship between Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel, also dropped on Netflix this week. The film follows the couple from when they met and fell in love in 1947 when Donahue was playing as a catcher for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League—the women’s pro organization that inspired the 1992 film A League of Their Own – through their lives together up to present time. Check out the trailer for the documentary below.
3) In The Heights, the film based Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical, announced a new date for its release: June 18, 2021. The movie was pushed from its summer 2020 date due to theater closures because of COVID-19. In the film, Carla (out bi actress Stephanie Beatriz) and Daniela are a couple, an update from the Broadway staged version. Watch the trailer below. Out actor and singer Ben Platt has announced the premiere date of his Netflix concert film, Ben Platt: Live from Radio City Music Hall. The concert film will be released on May 20 on Netflix.
4) A trailer has been released for the fifth and final season of She-Ra and The Princesses of Power. Created by out writer Noelle Stevenson, the show features several queer characters amongst the ensemble fighting to save their world. The season will be released on Netflix on May 15; watch the trailer below. Also from DreamWorks and Netflix, a trailer has been released for the second season of Kipo and The Age of Wonderbeasts, which will be released on Netflix June 21. The show, which follows a futuristic world where mutated animals have taken over and most humans live underground, includes Benson, an aspiring DJ who is gay. Watch the trailer here!
5) A clip has been released for Hulu’s Love, Victor, a spin-off sequel of the hit film Love, Simon. The show follows Victor, a teenager at the same Creekwood High School on his own journey of self-discovery. The clip below shows him with a fellow student and potential co-worker, Benji, that he may be crushing on. The first look premiered last Sunday during GLAAD’s Together in Pride livestream. Also in the Love, Simon-verse, author Becky Albertalli has announced Love, Creekwood, a new novella that follows the characters from the Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda novel and its sequel Leah on the Offbeat. It will be released June 30, while Love, Victor will premiere on June 19.
6) The first trailer has been released for Legendary, the upcoming HBO Max ballroom competition show. Eight houses will compete, with ballroom star Dashaun Wesley as the MC. It will be released on May 27 when HBO Max launches. The streaming service will also include an extended catalog of programming from WarnerMedia and will roll out more LGBTQ-inclusive originals over the coming months, such as series Search Party, Boys, Generation, and more.
7) A new Star Wars series has been announced for Disney+, to be helmed by out Russian Doll co-creator Leslye Headland. The show has been described as a “female-driven action thriller with martial arts elements and set in an alternate timeline from the usual Star Wars universe.” In more TV news, The Bold Type has announced that the second half of its fourth season will premiere on June 11. The show follows three women making their way in New York at Scarlet magazine, including bisexual character Kat. Watch a sneak peek of the new episodes below.
8) Pop TV’s One Day at a Time has announced that they will be producing an animated special episode, as the production was halted due to COVID-19 only a few episodes into the series’ fourth season. The special will revolve around Penelope’s conservative family coming to visit. In more TV news, a new trailer has been released for the fifth season of Showtime’s Billions. The show stars non-binary actor Asia Kate Dillion as Taylor Mason, a major player in the show. Watch the trailer below and catch the premiere May 3 on Showtime. Out writer and comedian Rebecca Drysdale will be the new head writer of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
9) Out actor Jeremy Pope, currently starring in Ryan Murphy’s Hollywood, has been cast in Murphy’s Pose for its upcoming third season. Another show from Murphy, The Politician, has announced that it’s coming back for its second season in mid-June. FX has ordered a pilot for the animated comedy Little Demon, whose cast includes out actress Aubrey Plaza. The show follows the daughter of the devil attempting to have a normal life. A full trailer has been released for Amazon’s second season of Homecoming, which stars out actress and musician Janelle Monáe as a woman who wakes up with no memory and ties to a mysterious organization. Watch the trailer below.
10) Shea Diamond has released a new song “I Am America,” as well as an accompanying video, which features several LGBTQ stars. The song is also the theme of HBO’s new drag series, We’re Here. Watch the video below. Out bi singer Halsey released a new track today with producer Marshmello, “Be Kind.” Listen to the song here. Out lesbian singer Hayley Kiyoko is featured on a new song from singer MAX, “Missed Calls.” Check out the song here!
11) Out singer Todrick Hall released a new album on Wednesday, Quarantine Queen. He also released a video for his single “Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrubs,” which includes celebrities such as Tiffany Haddish, Nicole Scherzinger, Peppermint, Bob the Drag Queen, and more. Watch the video below. Singer and drag queen Bebe Zahara Benet released a new album Broken English last week. Stream the album here. Out singer Victoria Monét has released a new single “Dive.” Click here to listen to the new song. Out artist Kehlani also released a new video for the track “F&MU” from her upcoming album It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, out May 8.
12) Out bi singer Lauren Jauregui has released a new single and video, “50 ft.” Listen to the song here and watch the video below. Out singer Tom Goss has released a new single, “Dancing in my Room,” as well as an accompanying music video. Watch the video here. Out bi singer mxmtoon released her new EP last week dawn. The EP is the first part of a two-part project, and is available to listen to here. The follow-up dusk will be released later this year. Pet Shop Boys, the duo containing out singer Neil Tennant, has released a new single, “I don’t wanna.” Listen to the single here. And finally, Bright Light Bright Light has released his latest single, “Sensation,” feat. Jake Shears. Listen to it here.