Two decades later the cult hit TV series QUEER AS FOLK gets reborn

Russell T.Davies‘ groundbreaking TV series ‘Queer As Folk’ is about to get a reboot. And it’s not a moment too soon. This classic 1999 British television series chronicled the lives of three gay men living in Manchester’s gay village around Canal Street, was so successful it spawned an American version too. Although we look back very fondly on the program now, and at the impact, it had in both countries, it wasn’t without its critics from the LGBTQ community at the time. Its failure to address the AIDS pandemic was considered a major error and the program was widely criticized for this.

However now 23 years later that appears like water under the bridge. This new series being made by Peacock TV is being created by queer Canadian writer/director Stephen Dunn whose debut film was Closet Monster. The new QAF will explore a diverse group of friends in New Orleans whose lives are transformed in the aftermath of a tragedy. It gets the support from Davies who said “I’m very proud of what we achieved in 1999, but in queer years, that was a millennium ago! As a community, we’ve radicalized, explored, opened up, and found new worlds – with new enemies and new allies – and there was so much to be said. Stephen pitched a brand new version of Queer as Folk with so much imagination, insight, and crucially, joy, that I simply couldn’t resist. I thought it was about time the title belonged to a whole new generation. The 2022 show is more diverse, more wild, more free, more angry – everything a queer show should be.”

Filmed in LA & New Orleans the new series will star Devin Way, Fin Argus, Jesse James Keitel, CG, Johnny Sibilly,and Ryan O’Connell who will also serve as a writer and co-executive producer on the series. The star-studded roster of Guest Stars includes Kim Cattrall, Juliette Lewis, Ed Begley Jr.Armand Fields, Chris Renfro, Eric Graise, Sachin Bhatt, Benito Skinner, Nyle DiMarco, Lukas Gage, Megan Stalter, Olli Haaskivi, Calvin Seabrooks.

Stephen Dunn says “Like most queer ‘90s kids, I had a unique relationship with the original Queer as Folk. Growing up, I was desperate for any sort of connection with people like me. It was the first time I really felt seen. The show offered a new paradigm – one where we could accept and celebrate queer love, families, and communities on a global stage. It was truly iconic. I am honored that Russell T. Davies, the creator of the original series, entrusted me to continue this legacy.

I wanted to create a new groundbreaking version of this show for this moment. Our new Queer as Folk is set in New Orleans — one of the most unique queer communities in North America – and I am immensely proud that the new series is comprised of an electric ensemble of fresh characters that mirror the modern global audience. If there’s one person who is able to see Queer as Folk and feel less alone, or who now feels more supported and seen, our job is done. In the true spirit of the original, our show doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of our community, but above all else, the series is about people who live vibrant, vital, unapologetically queer lives.”