This is a list of dramatic television series (including web television and miniseries) that premiered in the 1960s–2000s which feature lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender characters. Non-binary, pansexual, asexual, and graysexual characters are also included. The orientation can be portrayed on-screen, described in the dialogue or mentioned.
1960s
ShowNetworkCharacterActorNotesYearThe Asphalt Jungle ABC Miss Brant Virginia Christine Miss Brant is a repressed lesbian, and serial killer who kills girls who give themselves up to boys. Broadcast in 1961. The show was inspired by the 1950 film The Asphalt Jungle. 1961The Eleventh Hour NBC Hallie Lambert Kathryn Hays Dr. Starke (Ralph Bellamy) treats Hallie, a lesbian and an unstable actress, who has fallen in love with the female director of the play she is appearing in. 1962–1964The Alfred Hitchcock Hour NBC Nurse Betty Ames T. C. Jones Nurse Ames is a transvestite serial killer who preys specifically on nurses, in episode "An Unlocked Window". Broadcast in 1965. 1962–1965The Bold Ones: The Lawyers NBC Barry Goram Morgan Sterne Barry is gay, and worked for Gubernatorial candidate Stephen Patterson (Craig Stevens). When Stevens discovers that Barry is gay, he forces him to resign to avoid a scandal. Barry gets revenge by framing Patterson for murder. 1968–1972 The Bold Ones: The New Doctors NBC Jack Melino Robert Hogan Fourteen year old Cory Melino (Ron Howard) discovers that his divorced father Jack is gay, when he makes a surprise visit to his house. Jane Wyman has a guest role as Dr. Amanda Fallon, who scolds the mother and grandfather (Jim Davis) for hiding this information from Cory, in episode "Discovery at Fourteen" 1969–1973Valerie DeMarco Donna MillsValerie and Eleanor are in a lesbian relationship. Valerie is a nurse, while Eleanor is earning her degree in clinical psychology. Eleanor Hildy Brooks Medical Center CBS Dr. Annie Claymore Lois Nettleton Dr. Claymore is a lesbian and a psychiatrist called in to handle a heart patient, Tobi, who is not taking her medicine. Tobi's boyfriend believes that Dr. Claymore is out to convert his girlfriend, in episode "Impasse". In his book Alternate Channels, author Steven Capsuto cites Annie Claymore as "American TV's first productive, happy lesbian character." 1969–1976Dr. Ben Teverly Paul Burke A gay research scientist becomes the target of a smear campaign. Dr. Gannon (Chad Everett) defends Teverly against the smears, by reminding his colleagues that "it was a homosexual who painted the ceilings" of the Sistine Chapel. N.Y.P.D. ABC Bert Gaffer James Broderick Bert is a closeted construction worker, who agrees to cooperate with the police to catch a gang of blackmailers who are robbing and targeting homosexuals, with threats to out them unless they pay money to them. 1967–1969 Charles Spad John Harkins Charles is an openly gay businessman and activist, who also agrees to help the police with the gang of blackmailers. When he is initially asked to help, Spad makes it clear to them that "just because I'm a homosexual...doesn't mean I know every other one in the country".The Wednesday Play BBC One Robin Fletcher Nicol Williamson A cosmopolitan London couple, Peter and Cathy Young (Alfred Lynch and Glenda Jackson), find their outwardly charmed lives upended by Robin, a troubled homosexual friend. Broadcast in 1965. 1964–1970
1970s
ShowNetworkCharacterActorNotesYear Angels BBC Ken Hastings Michael Howarth Ken is gay and fighting to save the hospital from closing. Paul is his lover. 1975–1983PaulMichael Troughton Baretta ABC Tommy Rankin Barry Miller Tommy is a 14-year-old gay street hustler, who witnesses the murder of his friend. Baretta befriends him and investigates the murder. 1975–1978The Baxters Syndication Gay teacher actor unknown Fred Baxter (Larry Keith) learns that one of Jonah's (Chris Petersen) teachers is gay. Homophobic neighbor Jerry Johnson (Chuck McCann) circulates a petition demanding that the teacher be fired. 1979–1981Bronk CBS Sara Mitchell Julie Sommars Sara is the first female officer assigned to patrol duty in Bronk's (Jack Palance) department. Sara is accused of being a lesbian after an arrest of a female. The series was created by Carroll O'Connor, who was also the executive producer. 1975–1976Days of Our Lives NBC Sharon Duval Sally Stark Sally is a housewife who realizes she is bisexual and in love with a female friend. 1976–1977Executive Suite CBS Julie Solkin Geraldine Brooks Julie is in an abusive marriage with her husband, and comes out as lesbian to her best friend Leona (Patricia Smith). Leona responds to Julie that she likes her too, and then feeling upset about this, walks into traffic with Julie right behind her. Consequently, Julie is hit by a truck and dies. 1976–1977Family ABC Flora Jessup Blair Brown Miss Jessup is a lesbian teacher who gets Buddy (Kristy McNichol) interested in reading. Stacey (Helen Hunt) bullies Buddy for being a teacher's pet. Stacey's mother (Joyce Van Patten) outs her at a school board meeting and tries to get her fired, but nobody cares because Miss Jessup is the best teacher anybody has ever had. 1976–1980 Lou Grant CBS Mike Tynan Joe Penny Mike is a gay detective that investigates a fire at a gay bar. 1977–1982M*A*S*HCBSGeorgeRichard ElyGeorge is a patient in the hospital with bruises from a beating. He explains to Hawkeye that the soldiers in his unit beat him up for being a homosexual.1972-1983Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law ABC Meg Dayton Kristina Holland Meg writes for a lesbian newspaper, and is the ex-roommate of Ann Glover (Meredith Baxter), a collegiate diving superstar. When Ann is accused of trying to seduce a 15-year-old student, Meg testifies on her behalf. It turns out that her accuser was in such a panic over her own feelings for Ann, she lied about Ann, in episode "Words of Summer". Meg was the first young adult character to state unequivocally that she was a lesbian on a TV drama. The character of Ann was inspired by Babe Didrikson Zaharias. 1971–1974 Play for Today BBC One Lewis Duncan Anton Rodgers Lewis is a gay writer of romantic novels, and Richie is his young on-off boyfriend. Lewis writes an article on gay issues under the pseudonym of "Zippy Grimes", and the article is a great success. Several fans write letters in support and when he meets some of these fans, he is forced to come out. Broadcast in 1979. 1970–1984Richie Nigel HaversKim Jane Lapotaire Kim is a motorbike-riding artist, who seduces seventeen-year-old debutante Niki, into a brief lesbian relationship. Broadcast in 1976.Niki Lynne FrederickStephen Piper / Susan Paul Henley Stephen is a young, pre-transition bank clerk. She is bullied and belittled by her volatile mother (Sylvia Kay), a teenage girl-next-door, and a homophobic colleague. Susan is British TV drama's first transgender lead character. Broadcast in 1979. Police Woman NBC Mame Fay Spain A trio of lesbians are stealing from and killing off residents in a nursing home. Pepper (Angie Dickinson) goes undercover as a nurse to expose the killing-and-stealing scheme, in episode "Flowers of Evil". 1974–1978 Janet Lynn LoringGladysLaraine StephensMarlena Patricia Crowley Marlena is a lesbian and a successful business executive, she was Pepper's roommate in college. Marlena is called on to testify on Pepper's behalf when she is accused of sexually molesting a female suspect, in episode "Trial by Prejudice". Prisoner Network Ten Franky Doyle Carol Burns Franky is a nicotine-stained lesbian biker who was imprisoned for armed robbery and murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. 1979–1986Sharon Gilmour Margot Knight Sharon is Judy's lover and a scheming, spoiled young woman who is imprisoned for drug dealing.Judy Bryant Betty Bobbitt Judy is an American ex-pat lesbian who deliberately committed a crime to join her lover Sharon in prison.Joan Ferguson Maggie Kirkpatrick Joan is a sinister and cold lesbian prison officer known to the prisoners as "the Freak".Terri Malone Margot Knight Terri is a bisexual young officer who temporarily became Joan Ferguson's live-in lover. The actor Margot Knight played two characters in this series, inmate Sharon Gilmour in 1980 and prison officer Terri Malone in 1985.Second City Firsts BBC Two Jackie Alison Steadman Jackie and Chrissie, two officers in the Women's Royal Army Corps, are in a lesbian relationship. The 1974 episode "Girl", featured the first lesbian kiss on British television. 1973–1978 Chrissie Myra FrancesThe Streets of San Francisco ABC Jackie Collins Devon Ericson Jackie and Tina are a lesbian couple. Jackie murders Tina's best friend out of jealousy. Jackie explains to Tina that the knife just slipped. 1972–1977Tina HarringtonJoanne NailTatort ARD Robert Karow Mark Waschke Robert is the first openly bisexual detective. 1971–Liz RitschardDelia MayerLiz is lesbian.Julia Grosz Franziska Weisz Julia is either lesbian or bisexual.Linda SelbLuise WolframLinda Selb is bisexual.Upstairs, Downstairs BBC Alfred HarrisGeorge InnesAlfred leaves Eaton Place to work as a footman for his lover, Baron Klaus von Rimmer, after their affair is discovered. In the third season, Alfred returns to Eaton Place seeking refuge after he murdered Von Rimmer. 1971-1975Baron Klaus von RimmerHorst Janson
1980s