How Anne with an 'E' created a well established queer character without putting him under a trope:
Awae is a great show. If you disagree, gtfo of here, i don't even wanna KNOW what kind of taste you have. So yeah.
In the majority of tv shows created up to date (especially in recent times), representation is something that has become socially mandatory to have. Representation as in, having poc and queer characters. And many shows DO have representation, I'm not saying they don't. But the poc/queer characters aren't as well written, three dimensional or realistic like other white, straight characters on the show. They rarely have any depth, they only exist to fill in some social representation criteria and are stereotyped to a large extent.
(He is my favourite character but i BEG of the writers to give him a better storyline! >:-()
Mindy Chen from Em*ly in Paris
Feel free to add to the list!
So anyways, i went off track didn't i?
So yes, representation is very half assed. But only a handful shows were able to achieve the "three dimensional, interesting, deep queer character" thing. And one of them is Anne with an E.
Awae is the type of show with realistic representation. It is set in the late 1800s or something, in a period where black/queer people were severely frowned upon. And it challenges its own storyline by introducing a black and gay character, creating a scenario of how they would be treated. The show's queer characters on screen are Josephine Barry and Cole Mackenzie. Cole is shown to be a reserved, kind, respectful yet creative boy. He is also described to be handsome. He is trying to find himself, and his purpose in the world. He is a talented artist and sculptor. And he is a well developed character with realistic flaws and values. His storyline does not revolve around being gay and that was actually very refreshing.
Another queer character whom i did not mention is Mr Phillips. He isn't really confirmed to be gay but it is very much hinted at by Cole, as an explanation to why Mr Phillips hates him so much. He hates Cole for being gay, which is obviously homophobic and because of his homophobic beliefs, he can never fully embrace who he really is. I think that it's rather interesting. The show depicts that not all gay men are "soft flamboyant uwu babes <3".
I think that Cole should've stayed in the show longer, i really miss him so much :(
