As far as LGBT-inclusive entertainment is concerned there is plenty for LGBT audiences to look forward to in the new year. Here GLAAD’s Entertainment Media Team bring you just a few of the exciting series and films to keep an eye out for in 2016.
About Ray:
This feature film follows Ray (Elle Fanning), a teenage transgender boy, and his dramatic family including his single mother Maggie (Naomi Watts), grandmother Dolly (Susan Sarandon) and her partner Frances (Linda Emond). The film follows Ray as he anxiously trys to get his parents’ permission to start hormone therapy before changing schools. But Maggie must confront her demons as Ray’s father (who has been long estranged from the family) is also required to sign the parental consent form. Originally titled Three Generations, The Weinstein Company acquired About Ray at Cannes in May with a deal that included a 500-minimum screen commitment. The retitled film was initially scheduled to be released in September this year, but was delayed and will likely arrive in theaters early in 2016.
Deadpool:
This highly anticipated antihero film is based off the Marvel character of the same name, hits theaters Feb. 12 in North America and Feb. 4 in the U.K. Ryan Reynolds stars as the darkly twisted and outrageous mercenary Wade Wilson/Deadpool who was subjected to an experiment designed to give him regenerative healing powers in an effort to cure his inoperable cancer. Deadpool then decides to use his new skills and identity to hunt down the men who ruined his life. Director Tim Miller told press this fall that Deadpool is pansexual, while comic series writer Gerry Duggan has called the character “omnisexual.” It’s yet to be seen how Deadpool’s sexuality will play out on screen, but the inclusion of a queer lead character in a major superhero movie is worth noting.
London Spy:
This espionage thriller/relationship drama starring out actor Ben Whishaw, is set to have its U.S. premiere Thursday, Jan. 21 on BBC America. The five-part original series by novelist Tom Rob Smith tells the story of Danny (Whishaw), who leaves his world of clubbing a nd youthful excess behind when his investment banker boyfriend Alex (Edward Holcroft) disappears. Danny finds himself drawn into the dangerous world of espionage as he works to uncover the truth about what really happened to Alex. The series aired in the UK this fall to positive reviews.
Looking:
Starring out actors Jonathan Groff, Russell Tovey and Daniel Franzese, HBO’s Looking will take viewers to San Francisco one last time in the form of a film giving audiences closure on the various characters. The TV show that centered on the lives of a group of gay men as they tackled careers, love, family and friendship ran for two seasons before being cancelled. “We’re really excited to take the next step in the stories, and I don’t know if I’d call it a wrap-up because I don’t think anything on Looking has a very tidy ending to it, but I think it’s a great final chapter that will send our characters off in their next direction,” series creator Michael Lannan said in an interview with The Advocate. The project is currently in in post-production after finishing principal photography and is expected to air early in 2016.
These are just a few of the LGBT-inclusive releases set for 2016, brought together by the GLAAD Entertainment Media Team. For more previews and trailers go here.
