11 must-see Sapphic and lesbian shows streaming on HBO Max

In the mood for a good old-fashioned sapphic binge-watch but feel like you've already seen everythingNetflix,Hulu, andApple TV+ have to offer? Well then, it's time to crack open that HBO Max menu — because if you haven't, we can assure you that there is plenty of top-tier lesbian content you’ve been missing out on.

From sweeping period romances toanimated love stories, tohilarious comedies,coming-of-age dramas, sapphic superheroes, and even a lesbian love story at the end of the world, these are the must-see shows about queer women you can watch on HBO Max right now.

All film and series descriptions are courtesy of HBO Max.

Gentleman Jack

Synopsis: Halifax, 1832. Anne Lister (Suranne Jones) shakes up her shabby ancestral home, determined to restore its fortunes and find herself a wife. Society will talk.

Why you need to binge it: Well, for one it’s a lesbian period romance that isn’t a huge bummer, plus it's a rare one that centers around a butch.

The Sex Lives of College Girls

Synopsis:The Sex Lives of College Girls follows four college roommates as they arrive at New England’s prestigious Essex College. A bundle of contradictions and hormones, these girls are equal parts lovable and infuriating as they live out their new, free lives on campus.

Why you need to binge it: First of all, Reneé Rapp stars in a queer role. Second of all, so does Ruby Cruz. But more important is how much queerness is woven into the fabric of this show, which depicts both sapphic discovery and exploration with authenticity.

Control

Synopsis: Former lovers Natalia (Adrianna Chlebicka) and Majka (Ewelina Pankowska) explore their personal feelings to reconcile their turbulent past.

Why you need to binge it: This Polish series may have flown under your radar, but today that changes! While some of the shows on this list include queer storylines and characters, which make them worth watching, this one is all about centering the sapphics. Plus, since it began as a web series, which makes for a a short and sweet binge.

Patria

Synopsis: Patria tells a story – over three decades – of the Spanish Basque Country threatened by the separatist terrorism of ETA, through the eyes of two families divided by the violent conflict.

Why you need to binge it: Here’s another foreign series that you may have missed. While the series focuses more broadly on the impact of the Basque conflict on its cast of characters, Arantxa, portrayed by Loreto Mauleón, is one of its most compelling characters.

Harley Quinn

Synopsis: Harley Quinn has finally broken things off with the Joker and attempts to make it on her own as the criminal Queenpin of Gotham City.

Why you need to binge it: Nothing will scratch your itch for a chaotic lesbian love story like this hilarious and cheeky animated series. The love story between Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, despite the madcap vibes of everything and everyone around them, is incredibly sweet and grounded — you know, for an animated series about a bunch of comic book villains.

The Girls On the Bus

Synopsis:The Girls On The Bus invites viewers to hit the campaign trail alongside four female journalists, each of them different in their reporting styles and personalities. The story centers on Sadie McCarthy (Melissa Benoist), a journalist who romanticizes a bygone era of campaign reporting and scraps her whole life for a shot at covering a presidential candidate for a paper of record. Sadie joins the bus and eventually bonds with three female competitors, Grace (Carla Gugino), Lola (Natasha Behnam), and Kimberlyn (Christina Elmore). Despite their differences, the women become a found family with a front-row seat to the greatest soap opera in town - the battle for the White House.

Why you need to binge it: The cast of this series is enough sapphic cred alone! Melissa Benoist and Carla Gugino? Yes, please. And yet even with those two on board, it's queer Iranian-American actress Natasha Behnam as the Gen-Z influencer Lola Rahaii, who steals the show.

Hacks

Synopsis: ThisJean Smart-led comedy series explores a dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance (Smart), a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old (Hannah Einbinder).

Why you need to binge it: Ok, this is probably one that has at least been on your radar. But if for some reason you haven't taken the plunge, get in there because the water is... ghey as hell. Yes, there are sapphic characters played by out actors and queer romance abounds, but truly every single thing about this show is just infused with queerness in the best and messiest ways possible. It’s brilliant.

I Hate Suzie

Synopsis: When a phone hack exposes her most compromising photos, a former teen pop star embarks on a tumultuous journey of self-discovery.

Why you need to binge it: Not only does the series feature geeky sapphic fave Billie Piper as the titular Suzie, but it also gives her a bisexual bestie. Leila Farzad stars as Naomi Jones, Suzie’s closest friend and manager helping her to navigate the phone leak fallout. She is complex and her plotline doesn't revolve around her romantic life, rather it's a rich and nuanced portrayal of female friendship.

The Last of Us

Synopsis:The Last Of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel (Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.

Why you need to binge it: Chances are you've heard of this one — and with good reason. Even sapphics who normally eschew horror films should give this one a shot. Ramsey turns in a stellar performance as queer teen Ellie whose love stories are pivotal to the plot and her character growth without ever feeling forced. And don't even get us started on that Bill and Frank episode.

Batwoman

Synopsis: Kate Kane follows in the footsteps of her missing cousin, Bruce Wayne, and protects the streets of Gotham City as Batwoman.

Why you need to binge it: Lesbian superhero. Do we need to say more? Fine, how about two lesbian superheroes, both played by out actors? Ruby Rose and Javicia Leslie both donned the Batwoman mantle (with a little Wallis Day in between).

Betty

Synopsis:Betty follows a diverse group of young women navigating their lives through the predominantly male-oriented world of skateboarding, set against the backdrop of New York City.

Why you need to binge it: Baby dykes on skateboards? Of course, this is a must-watch!