Queer as Folk

Stuart Jones has got it all. He's rich, drop-dead gorgeous and always the centre of attention. He can be forgiven the arrogance because he's pretty close to perfection. His best mate Vince Tyler is funny, adorable and definitely a babe but, unlike his friend, has zero confidence in himself. Since time began, Vince has carried a torch for Stuart but his love remains firmly unrequited. They're both 29, hitting Canal Street every night, stalwarts of the scene but just starting to wonder where else their lives may be going. Then along comes Nathan Maloney. Young, wild and coming out with a vengeance, he crowbars his way into their world and once he arrives, nothing is ever the same again.

Queer as Folk (1999-2000) is a British national-television drama miniseries created by Russell T Davies for Channel 4. Stuart Jones (Aidan Gillen) is a rich, magnetic gay man who has everything he wants on the surface, while his best friend Vince Tyler (Craig Kelly) is funny and warm but quietly convinced he is nothing special, and has loved Stuart for years without saying so. Their nights revolve around the clubs and bars of Canal Street in a northern English city, where they are fixtures of the scene. Their settled routine is disrupted when Nathan Maloney (Charlie Hunnam) arrives, young, wild and newly out, pushing into their circle and forcing both men to confront what they want from their lives and their friendship. Across ten episodes split over two short seasons, the series moves through nightlife, romance, family pressure and the messy business of coming out, with a frank, unsentimental approach to sex and desire. Its tone blends witty banter and sharp humour with raw emotional honesty and an undercurrent of longing. Fans of the American Queer as Folk, Shameless and Looking will find kinship in its candid portrait of gay urban life and friendship.

Acclaimed for its frank, witty and emotionally honest portrayal of gay life and friendship in Manchester's clubbing scene, though its second season is viewed as less sure-footed.

• Queer as Folk (US)shared coming out storyline, male friendship at the core, gay nightlife and clubbing culture
• Shameless (UK)gritty northern english setting with working class realism and frank adult themes
• Lookingintimate character-driven drama about young adult identity and friendship in urban nightlife
• Skinscoming of age emotional honesty and romantic longing in a modern British setting

Created by

Russell T Davies

Release Date

1999-02-23

Episode runtime

32 min

Rating

8.2 / 10 (162)

What is Queer as Folk about?

Two gay best friends in their late twenties navigate nightlife, unrequited love and the arrival of a brash young man who upends their lives.

What is Queer as Folk like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Queer as Folk as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Queer as Folk violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Queer as Folk as mild.

What did critics think of Queer as Folk?

Acclaimed for its frank, witty and emotionally honest portrayal of gay life and friendship in Manchester's clubbing scene, though its second season is viewed as less sure-footed.

Which shows are like Queer as Folk?

Shows with a similar feel include Queer as Folk (US), Shameless (UK), Looking, and Skins.

How long is Queer as Folk?

Queer as Folk: 2 seasons, 10 episodes.

Is Queer as Folk still running?

No, Queer as Folk has ended.

Where can I watch Queer as Folk?

In United States, Queer as Folk streams on Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Revry, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Tubi TV, Amazon MX Player.