If you’re like me, Heated Rivalry has left you in a daze. Instead of focusing on work and trying to make a living, I find myself daydreaming about a weekend at the cottage, practicing my Russian, and replaying “I’ll Believe in Anything” on loop. Yeah, I’m not well.
And I think most of you who just finished Heated Rivalry are probably feeling the same way. We’re having some hardcore withdrawals, and it ain’t healthy. The good news is that Heated Rivalry has been renewed for two more seasons! The bad news is that we might have to wait until 2027 for the second season (but I literally can’t wait that long, I’m barely making it through the day as it is.) Luckily, there are some other hot, steamy queer shows out there to hold us over until we get more Shane, Ilya, and Scott on our screens (and in our hearts).
This list will specifically focus on sultry, sumptuous guy-on-guy stuff (or Boy’s Love, BL, M4M, yaoi, MM – however you like to call it). For those who are looking for some other types of queer action, check out shows like The L Word (2004), Lip Service (2010) or Twenties (2020). But for some hunky man action, check out the list below for six more shows that’ll keep you… erm, stimulated until we get another season of Heated Rivalry.
Queer as Folk (2000-2005)
Based on the short-lived British show of the same name, Queer as Folk pushed tons of boundaries. The series follows the day-to-day lives of a group of queer friends in Pittsburgh during the early 2000s, from being in the closet to gay dating, dealing with homophobia, and navigating a time when the AIDS crisis was coming to a close, thanks to modernized medicine, but not fully over yet.
While parts of the show feel dated now, America’s regression toward bigotry has sadly brought renewed relevance to the series. But, most importantly, Queer as Folk never shied away from fearlessly depicting nudity and sex. Because it aired on Showtime, it was able to get away with lots of nudity and naughty scenes that revolutionized television. If you love great ensemble shows like Sex and the City (1998) or Girls (2012) but want a great queer twist, check out Queer as Folk. Also, for more sexy action, check out Peacock’s 2022 reboot.
Mary & George (2024)
Did you love the 2023 gay rom-com Red, White and Royal Blue? Well, what if I told you there was a miniseries starring Royal Blue alum Nicholas Galitzine, where he plays a young man who seduces King James to gain royal favour and riches? And, what if I told you it’s all based on the true story of King James VI & I and his lover, George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham? Oh, and did I mention that Julianne Moore plays George’s brilliantly conniving mother?
On top of its oh-so-juicy plot, Mary & George is loaded with hot, thumpin’, bumpin’ sex scenes, and fans who loved seeing Galitzine’s rump in Red, White and Royal Blue will get more of that sweet, sweet cake, along with tons of full-frontals, too. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Galitzine even admitted he once shot four different sex scenes with four different partners in one day while making Mary & George. If that doesn’t sell the show, I don’t know what will. If you like steamy period dramas like The Tudors (2007) or Spartacus (2010), this is the show for you.
Fellow Travelers (2023)
Set during the 1950s Lavender Scare, Fellow Travelers sees two closeted government employees begin a ravenous affair that slowly turns into a tender romance. Even better, the two leads are Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey. The show has some seriously hot and raw hunk-on-hunk action that will definitely fog up your glasses.
But on top of that, it tells a truly gripping story about what the LGBTQ community had to go through during an era of immense persecution and bigotry. If you love captivating queer period dramas like It’s a Sin (2021), or are just riding the Jonathan Bailey train like the rest of us, you need to watch Fellow Travelers.
Now Apocalypse (2019)
Queer auteur Gregg Araki is known for his deliciously horny indie films like The Doom Generation (1995) and Kaboom (2010). But in 2019, he also created the series Now Apocalypse, about a group of trendy twentysomethings in LA who bang anyone within arm’s reach. The show is full of hard abs, oiled bods, kinks… and an extraterrestrial lizard who might be the harbinger of the apocalypse.
Now Apocalypse stars hot studs like Avan Jogia, Beau Mirchoff, and Tyler Posey, and the entire series is drenched in neon technicolor, bold outfits, and quirky charm. Come for the studs, stay for the seriously absurd and hilarious story. If you love series like Overcompensating (2025), but want it with some hardcore levels of zany kitsch and untamed camp, you gotta watch Now Apocalypse.
Unconventional (2025)
Following the lives of two queer millennial siblings in their 30s, Unconventional was the first full-length scripted series from the rising LGBTQ streaming platform Revry. The show is available to stream on numerous platforms (including free ones like Pluto TV!) But for the full, uncensored version, you’ll have to watch on Revry. And if you’re reading this list, I’m guessing that’s the version you’ll want to watch.
Plus, gay icon Kathy Griffin and Emmy-winner Beau Bridges even have supporting roles. If you love niche queer series like Noah’s Ark (2005) or EastSiders (2012), this is the show for you.
Looking (2014-2016)
HBO’s Looking came out during a very strange time for the gay community. During the show’s run, gay marriage was legalized, the community transitioned away from the AIDS epidemic and into the era of PEP and PrEP, as apps like Grinder became commonplace. It’s sorta like Queer as Folk for a more modern audience.
Looking portrays a group of queer friends living in San Francisco during these transitional years and follows their exploits with love, friendship, and hookups. The show doesn’t shy away from steamy sex scenes, and it includes everything from threesomes to cruising and more. The series also has a pretty robust cast, including Jonathan Groff, Russell Tovey, and future White Lotus (2021) star Murray Bartlett.
