10 Series Crossovers That Doubled Queer Representation
The landscape of television and streaming has experienced tremendous growth over the years. From spin-offs to prequels to series sharing the same production teams, Hollywood has embraced the idea of shared universes. This can often lead to entertaining crossovers, allowing characters on separate series to interact. When it comes to queer-inclusive series, this can double or even triple queer representation in the span of an episode. This week's listicle highlights 10 series crossovers that gave the spotlight to queer characters from two different series. Leave a comment below if we missed any of your favorites. Warning: Spoilers Ahead!
Dante's Cove
Episode 2x3 - "Come Together"
(The Lair crossover)
Here TV's supernatural queer drama Dante's Cove saw it's vampire-themed counterpart The Lair premiere in 2007. When Dante's Cove characters paid a visit to a racy nightclub in Season 2, they encountered the queer Colin (Dylan Vox), who would be revealed to be a vampire upon The Lair's premiere. Vox appeared in three episodes of Dante's Cove. Season 3 of the series would see another character from The Lair appear in the cove. This time it was gay lead Thom (David Moretti), who was featured in two episodes of the third season of Dante's Cove, with Thom filling in as manager of The Lair sex club in Colin's absence. While the appearances of Colin & Thom were pleasant nods to the sister series, their appearances in Dante's Cove were never referenced on The Lair.
Chicago Med
Episode: 10x4 - "Blurred Lines"
Here TV's supernatural queer drama Dante's Cove saw it's vampire-themed counterpart The Lair premiere in 2007. When Dante's Cove characters paid a visit to a racy nightclub in Season 2, they encountered the queer Colin (Dylan Vox), who would be revealed to be a vampire upon The Lair's premiere. Vox appeared in three episodes of Dante's Cove. Season 3 of the series would see another character from The Lair appear in the cove. This time it was gay lead Thom (David Moretti), who was featured in two episodes of the third season of Dante's Cove, with Thom filling in as manager of The Lair sex club in Colin's absence. While the appearances of Colin & Thom were pleasant nods to the sister series, their appearances in Dante's Cove were never referenced on The Lair.
Chicago Med
Episode: 10x4 - "Blurred Lines"
(Chicago Fire crossover)
Despite several crossovers between the Chicago dramas, it wasn't until Season 10 that queer characters from both series were present within the same episode. Episode 4 saw Chicago Fire's recurring police officer Dwayne Morris (Samuel B. Jackson) paying a visit to Gaffney Chicago Medical Center as he investigated a case that led to one of their patients being admitted, leaving him with questions for Nurse Maggie in one scene. Meanwhile, Chicago Med's recurring gay lawyer Peter Kalmick (Marc Grapey) appeared later, as his legal expertise was put into action for a scene with the hospital's Chief Administrator, Sharon Goodwin. Dwayne's Chicago Fire love interest, firefighter Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri), would pop up on Chicago Med later in Season 10 in a crossover episode not featuring Grapey.
Blood & Water
Episode: 4x1 - "Beware of Things Buried"
Despite several crossovers between the Chicago dramas, it wasn't until Season 10 that queer characters from both series were present within the same episode. Episode 4 saw Chicago Fire's recurring police officer Dwayne Morris (Samuel B. Jackson) paying a visit to Gaffney Chicago Medical Center as he investigated a case that led to one of their patients being admitted, leaving him with questions for Nurse Maggie in one scene. Meanwhile, Chicago Med's recurring gay lawyer Peter Kalmick (Marc Grapey) appeared later, as his legal expertise was put into action for a scene with the hospital's Chief Administrator, Sharon Goodwin. Dwayne's Chicago Fire love interest, firefighter Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri), would pop up on Chicago Med later in Season 10 in a crossover episode not featuring Grapey.
Blood & Water
Episode: 4x1 - "Beware of Things Buried"
(Élite crossover)
Season 4 of the Netflix teen drama Blood & Water began with a major crossover with the long-running teen drama Élite, revealing the two series were taking place in the same universe. Las Encinas student Iván (André Lamoglia) popped up in South Africa as part of an exchange program, leaving behind his love interest Joel (Fernando Lindez). The bisexual Iván embarked on a brief romance with leading lady Puleng before heading back to Spain after a three-episode stint. Blood & Water's resident pansexual character Chris (Arno Greeff) didn't share much screentime with Iván as he was busy with his own romantic drama, going into Season 4 attempting to keep up his romance with Wendy, while harboring the secret that he cheated on her in a fling with Puleng's gay cousin Lunga (Mpho Sibeko).
Arrow
Episode: 4x5 - "Haunted"
Season 4 of the Netflix teen drama Blood & Water began with a major crossover with the long-running teen drama Élite, revealing the two series were taking place in the same universe. Las Encinas student Iván (André Lamoglia) popped up in South Africa as part of an exchange program, leaving behind his love interest Joel (Fernando Lindez). The bisexual Iván embarked on a brief romance with leading lady Puleng before heading back to Spain after a three-episode stint. Blood & Water's resident pansexual character Chris (Arno Greeff) didn't share much screentime with Iván as he was busy with his own romantic drama, going into Season 4 attempting to keep up his romance with Wendy, while harboring the secret that he cheated on her in a fling with Puleng's gay cousin Lunga (Mpho Sibeko).
Arrow
Episode: 4x5 - "Haunted"
(Constantine crossover)
Matt Ryan traveled all over the DC Comics television universe for his role as bisexual antihero John Constantine. After his own self-titled series came to an end, Constantine paid a visit to Arrow, teaming up with Green Arrow himself Oliver Queen as part of flashbacks during one episode of Season 4. While Oliver & Constantine adventured in the past, back in the present, Oliver's right-hand gal Felicity was busy attempting to decode a message from another hero, Ray Palmer, leading her to enlist the tech genius of recurring queer character Curtis Holt (Echo Kellum). Both Curtis & Constantine would become major parts of the Arrowverse of shows, with Kellum becoming a fulltime cast member on Arrow in Season 5, while Constantine went on to join the Arrow spin-off series Legends of Tomorrow.
Abbott Elementary
Episode: 4x9 - "Volunteers"
Matt Ryan traveled all over the DC Comics television universe for his role as bisexual antihero John Constantine. After his own self-titled series came to an end, Constantine paid a visit to Arrow, teaming up with Green Arrow himself Oliver Queen as part of flashbacks during one episode of Season 4. While Oliver & Constantine adventured in the past, back in the present, Oliver's right-hand gal Felicity was busy attempting to decode a message from another hero, Ray Palmer, leading her to enlist the tech genius of recurring queer character Curtis Holt (Echo Kellum). Both Curtis & Constantine would become major parts of the Arrowverse of shows, with Kellum becoming a fulltime cast member on Arrow in Season 5, while Constantine went on to join the Arrow spin-off series Legends of Tomorrow.
Abbott Elementary
Episode: 4x9 - "Volunteers"
(It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover)
Abbott Elementary's need for volunteers led to more than they bargained for, in the form of the chaotic quartet from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia in Episode 9 of Season 4. Abbott's gay teacher Jacob (Chris Perfetti) found himself exasperated by the antics of the trouble-making group, which included gay character Mac (Rob McElhenney). The two characters shared a few interactions in group scenes around the school. A second crossover followed during the Season 17 premiere of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, featuring more "unseen footage" from the Philly four's time at Abbott Elementary, before the Abbott crew paid a visit to the iconic Paddy's Pub for the episode's final scene. Again, Jacob & Mac shared some screentime in group scenes, though there was no direct interaction between them.
9-1-1: Lone Star
Episode: 2x3 - "Hold the Line"
Abbott Elementary's need for volunteers led to more than they bargained for, in the form of the chaotic quartet from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia in Episode 9 of Season 4. Abbott's gay teacher Jacob (Chris Perfetti) found himself exasperated by the antics of the trouble-making group, which included gay character Mac (Rob McElhenney). The two characters shared a few interactions in group scenes around the school. A second crossover followed during the Season 17 premiere of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, featuring more "unseen footage" from the Philly four's time at Abbott Elementary, before the Abbott crew paid a visit to the iconic Paddy's Pub for the episode's final scene. Again, Jacob & Mac shared some screentime in group scenes, though there was no direct interaction between them.
9-1-1: Lone Star
Episode: 2x3 - "Hold the Line"
(9-1-1 crossover)
A Texas wildfire provided the backdrop for a crossover between the L.A. first responders of 9-1-1 and their sister series set in the lone star state. The team-up led to lots of screentime for 9-1-1: Lone Star's T.K. (Ronen Rubinstein) out in the field. The gay character shared several scenes with 9-1-1's Buck (Oliver Stark) as the two were paired in their efforts to fight back the fire and later rescue T.K.'s father, Owen. While Buck would not come out on 9-1-1 for several more seasons, the episode laid some groundwork, as a humorous scene between the two men at the end of the episode had T.K. misunderstanding Buck's motives towards him, leading T.K. to reveal that he already had a boyfriend. This left Buck confused, as he hadn't realized he appeared to be flirting. Sadly, T.K.'s love Carlos (Rafael L. Silva) did not appear in the episode.
Katy Keene
Episode: 1x10 - "Chapter Ten: Gloria"
A Texas wildfire provided the backdrop for a crossover between the L.A. first responders of 9-1-1 and their sister series set in the lone star state. The team-up led to lots of screentime for 9-1-1: Lone Star's T.K. (Ronen Rubinstein) out in the field. The gay character shared several scenes with 9-1-1's Buck (Oliver Stark) as the two were paired in their efforts to fight back the fire and later rescue T.K.'s father, Owen. While Buck would not come out on 9-1-1 for several more seasons, the episode laid some groundwork, as a humorous scene between the two men at the end of the episode had T.K. misunderstanding Buck's motives towards him, leading T.K. to reveal that he already had a boyfriend. This left Buck confused, as he hadn't realized he appeared to be flirting. Sadly, T.K.'s love Carlos (Rafael L. Silva) did not appear in the episode.
Katy Keene
Episode: 1x10 - "Chapter Ten: Gloria"
(Riverdale crossover)
Episode 10 of the Riverdale spin-off Katy Keene saw the New York characters getting a visit from Riverdale's Kevin Keller (Casey Cott). He arrived to pay a visit to his stepsister Josie, meeting her roommates, including his fellow gay Jorge (Jonny Beauchamp) in the process. The two queer characters shared very little interaction, as both were busy with their own storylines. While Kevin confronted a media agent over past sexual harassment, Jorge continued to deal with his love triangle, following up on the trio's threesome from the previous episode. Jorge attempted to keep his romance with firefighter Bernardo (Ryan Faucett) on-track, while dealing with Bernardo's rising interest in Jorge's ex, Buzz (Eric Freeman). Both storylines put focus on the gay male characters, making the most of Kevin's one-episode appearance.
Titans
Episode: 4x10 - "Game Over"
Episode 10 of the Riverdale spin-off Katy Keene saw the New York characters getting a visit from Riverdale's Kevin Keller (Casey Cott). He arrived to pay a visit to his stepsister Josie, meeting her roommates, including his fellow gay Jorge (Jonny Beauchamp) in the process. The two queer characters shared very little interaction, as both were busy with their own storylines. While Kevin confronted a media agent over past sexual harassment, Jorge continued to deal with his love triangle, following up on the trio's threesome from the previous episode. Jorge attempted to keep his romance with firefighter Bernardo (Ryan Faucett) on-track, while dealing with Bernardo's rising interest in Jorge's ex, Buzz (Eric Freeman). Both storylines put focus on the gay male characters, making the most of Kevin's one-episode appearance.
Titans
Episode: 4x10 - "Game Over"
(Doom Patrol crossover)
Episode 10 of the fourth season of Titans featured a reunion between main character Gar and his former teammates on the Doom Patrol, including queer character Larry Trainor/Negative Man (Matt Bomer/Matthew Zuk). While Gar tried to figure out the force that caused him to be teleported into the presence of his former mates, his fellow Titans were dealing with their own crisis. The second storyline was pivotal for Tim Drake (Jay Lycurgo) as he looked to stop the latest threat from the villainous Sebastian Sanger, who unleashed an addictive video game that left users comatose, including Tim's boyfriend Bernard (James Scully). Tim was left distraught by Bernard's medical condition after finding him bleeding in his laboratory. Unfortunately, Tim did not share any scenes with Larry during the hour.
Legends of Tomorrow
Episode: 3x8 - "Crisis on Earth-X, Part 4"
Episode 10 of the fourth season of Titans featured a reunion between main character Gar and his former teammates on the Doom Patrol, including queer character Larry Trainor/Negative Man (Matt Bomer/Matthew Zuk). While Gar tried to figure out the force that caused him to be teleported into the presence of his former mates, his fellow Titans were dealing with their own crisis. The second storyline was pivotal for Tim Drake (Jay Lycurgo) as he looked to stop the latest threat from the villainous Sebastian Sanger, who unleashed an addictive video game that left users comatose, including Tim's boyfriend Bernard (James Scully). Tim was left distraught by Bernard's medical condition after finding him bleeding in his laboratory. Unfortunately, Tim did not share any scenes with Larry during the hour.
Legends of Tomorrow
Episode: 3x8 - "Crisis on Earth-X, Part 4"
(The Flash & Arrow crossover)
DC's television crossover event managed to tell a queer love story across several episodes thanks to a multiverse-bending adventure forcing heroes across multiple series to unite. Leo Snart/Citizen Cold (Wentworth Miller) and Ray Terrill/The Ray (Russell Tovey) joined the heroes, allowing the series to highlight the couple's romance. The duo first appeared together on The Flash, before jumping to Legends of Tomorrow, where they joined several other heroes, including the crew from Arrow, which included gay superhero Curtis Holt/Mr. Terrific (Echo Kellum). The three queer characters got to share screentime together as part of the larger team of heroes, led by Green Arrow and The Flash, for the episode which acted as the Part 4 finale to the Crisis on Earth-X storyline, seeing the trio of queer heroes help win the day.
Grey's Anatomy
Episode: 18x5 - "Bottle Up and Explode!"
DC's television crossover event managed to tell a queer love story across several episodes thanks to a multiverse-bending adventure forcing heroes across multiple series to unite. Leo Snart/Citizen Cold (Wentworth Miller) and Ray Terrill/The Ray (Russell Tovey) joined the heroes, allowing the series to highlight the couple's romance. The duo first appeared together on The Flash, before jumping to Legends of Tomorrow, where they joined several other heroes, including the crew from Arrow, which included gay superhero Curtis Holt/Mr. Terrific (Echo Kellum). The three queer characters got to share screentime together as part of the larger team of heroes, led by Green Arrow and The Flash, for the episode which acted as the Part 4 finale to the Crisis on Earth-X storyline, seeing the trio of queer heroes help win the day.
Grey's Anatomy
Episode: 18x5 - "Bottle Up and Explode!"
(Station 19 crossover)
A pipeline explosion led to a major crossover between the sister series. With his best friend and fellow first responder Vic injured in the explosion, Station 19's Travis (Jay Hayden) paid her a visit at Grey-Sloan Memorial, where he found Grey's senior resident Schmitt (Jake Borelli) attending to Vic's injuries. After she experienced a heart attack, both men worked to stabilize her. In the aftermath, Schmitt provided a listening ear and comforting words for Travis as he feared Vic would never recover emotionally given the death of her love interest in the explosion. Seeing Travis' great concern for his friend, Schmitt kept an eye on both Vic & Travis throughout the episode. This episode marked the first and only interaction between the gay main characters from both series, despite each making other crossover appearances between the two shows.
A pipeline explosion led to a major crossover between the sister series. With his best friend and fellow first responder Vic injured in the explosion, Station 19's Travis (Jay Hayden) paid her a visit at Grey-Sloan Memorial, where he found Grey's senior resident Schmitt (Jake Borelli) attending to Vic's injuries. After she experienced a heart attack, both men worked to stabilize her. In the aftermath, Schmitt provided a listening ear and comforting words for Travis as he feared Vic would never recover emotionally given the death of her love interest in the explosion. Seeing Travis' great concern for his friend, Schmitt kept an eye on both Vic & Travis throughout the episode. This episode marked the first and only interaction between the gay main characters from both series, despite each making other crossover appearances between the two shows.
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