From casting curveballs to political backlash, the untold stories behind the groundbreaking US series…
When Russell T Davies’ Queer As Folk debuted in the UK on February 23, 1999 – and even more so when its North American adaptation hit Showtime on December 3, 2000 – it didn’t just push the envelope. It ripped it open and rewrote what LGBTQ+ storytelling could look like on television. Whether you grew up watching Queer As Folk as it originally aired, clutched onto the DVDs or just discovered it on streaming, one thing is certain: the show changed television. It wasn’t perfect – but it was fearless. And sometimes, that’s exactly what queer storytelling needs to be.
Gritty, raw and unapologetically sexual, Queer As Folk wasn’t about assimilation: it was about liberation. But for all its visibility and shock value, there’s still so much about the show that fans may not know. From behind-the-scenes secrets to cultural ripple effects, here are 20 surprising facts that you might not know about Queer As Folk.
1. It was almost called something else entirely
Before settling on Queer As Folk – a title derived from the Northern English expression “there’s nowt so queer as folk” – the creators tossed around other names. One early contender for the American version? Liberty Street, named after the Pittsburgh nightlife strip where the gang hangs out. Ultimately, the producers stuck with the original, a cheeky nod to its British roots.
2. The word “queer” sparked internal debate
Even among cast and crew, the word “queer” was polarizing. Some feared it was still too loaded. But others insisted that reclaiming it was the point – and the title stayed.
3. The UK version only had 10 episodes
Though the British original is often hailed as iconic, it was surprisingly short-lived – initially running for only eight episodes, with a two-part follow-up in 2000. In contrast, the US version ran for five seasons (from December 3, 2000, to August 7, 2005) and 83 episodes, building a broader narrative arc and deeper character development. This longevity allowed the show to tackle everything from HIV stigma to marriage equality.
4. Pittsburgh wasn’t really Pittsburgh
Despite the Steel City backdrop, the US version of Queer As Folk wasn’t filmed in Pittsburgh at all – it was shot in Toronto. Local bars, lofts and warehouse spaces stood in for Liberty Avenue haunts. This was mostly due to tax incentives and budget constraints, but it also allowed for more creative freedom.
5. The pilot was nearly too hot for TV
Showtime reportedly had cold feet after seeing the pilot episode, which featured explicit gay sex scenes – unprecedented at the time. Producers Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman were adamant about keeping the show real, and after some heated negotiations, they got their way. The result? A pilot that shattered taboos and set a new bar for queer visibility across North America.
6. The show was eventually banned in several countries
Due to its graphic content and LGBTQ+ themes, Queer As Folk was banned from airing in parts of Asia and the Middle East. Fans reportedly often smuggled in DVDs.
7. Gale Harold wasn’t gay – and that caused a stir
When Gale Harold was cast as Brian Kinney, the sexually aggressive ad executive who became the show’s lightning rod, he faced scrutiny for being a straight actor in a gay role. But Harold leaned into the part with full conviction, often stating that acting is about transformation. Over time, even critics praised his portrayal as one of the most nuanced creations in queer TV history.
8. Hal Sparks was also straight – and had never seen the UK version
Hal Sparks (who played Michael Novotny) had never watched the original Queer As Folk before auditioning. He said he wanted to play Michael as “everyman gay” – sweet, loyal and relatable.
9. Brian and Justin’s love story wasn’t in the original plan
Writers didn’t plan to make Brian and Justin the emotional core of the show. But the chemistry between Gale Harold and Randy Harrison was too undeniable to ignore.
10. Randy Harrison was still in college when he was cast
Harrison, who played Justin Taylor, landed the role right out of the University of Cincinnati’s theatre program. It was his first major TV gig.
11. Michelle Clunie originally auditioned for Lindsay
Clunie, who played Melanie Marcus, originally read for the role of Lindsay. Producers saw a fiery energy better suited to Melanie’s character and switched her over.
12. The crew included tons of LGBTQ+ writers and directors
To ensure authenticity, many writers, producers and directors were LGBTQ+. Their lived experience shaped the show’s realism and complexity.
13. A political firestorm was inevitable
Queer As Folk premiered during a turbulent time in North American politics. In Canada, a Liberal government was in office under Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, while George W Bush had just taken office in the United States, and the country was inching towards conservative cultural retrenchment. Advocacy groups from both the right and left had strong opinions: conservatives decried its explicit content, while some LGBTQ+ advocates debated whether it reinforced stereotypes. The producers stood by their vision, insisting that the show wasn’t about perfection – it was about truth.
14. The sex scenes had a secret weapon: a “sex choreographer”
Yes, that’s a real title. The actors worked with intimacy coordinator and choreographer John Scott to block out sex scenes down to the smallest detail. The goal? To make them realistic, safe and narratively driven – not gratuitous. The show’s signature realism wouldn’t have been possible without this behind-the-scenes orchestration.
15. Debbie Novotny’s shirts were actually vintage activist tees
Veteran actor Sharon Gless (of Cagney & Lacey fame) brought warmth and fire to her role as Debbie Novotny, Michael’s rainbow-flag-wearing mother. Many of the shirts she wore – bearing slogans like “PFLAG Mom” or “Hate Is Not a Family Value” – were borrowed from real LGBTQ+ activists. Costume designer Darren Brydges said they wanted her wardrobe to be “a love letter to queer resistance.”
16. Speaking of Sharon Gless…she joined the show without reading the script
Gless said yes to the role of Debbie Novotny without reading a single line. She trusted the producers and wanted to support the queer community.
17. The show spawned a queer fashion revival
The show’s clubwear, leather, androgynous tailoring and vintage tees became cult favourites. Retailers in the early 2000s reported upticks in mesh tops, tight jeans and Doc Martens, especially in gay nightlife districts. Brian’s power suits and Justin’s Y2K rave looks became early aughts fashion icons in their own right.
18. The 2022 reboot almost didn’t happen
Years after the original wrapped, fans were divided on the idea of a reboot. But creators of the 2022 Queer As Folk reimagining (set in New Orleans with a new cast and story) were adamant: this wasn’t nostalgia – it was evolution. The new series centred on queer characters of colour, people with disabilities and trans voices, echoing today’s more intersectional movement. Though it was cancelled after one season, the reboot was praised for updating the legacy for a new generation.
19. The 2022 reboot was inspired by the Pulse Nightclub tragedy
The creators of the 2022 Queer As Folk reboot drew heavily from the 2016 Pulse shooting in Orlando. The show opened with a similar fictional tragedy, reframing queer trauma through an intergenerational, diverse lens.
20. Queer as Folk helped make Showtime a player in prestige TV
Before Queer As Folk, Showtime wasn’t seen as a major player. The series’ success paved the way for later bold, niche hits like The L Word (2004–2009), Dexter (2006–2013) and Weeds (2005–2012).
Karen / 18 August 2025
Great review.