• Log in
    PoliticsBusinessA&ETransgenderBisexualityReligionFamiliesVoicesVideo
    OUTPrideOut TravelerPLUSADVOCATE CHANNEL
    SubscribeSubscriber ServicesEmail Newsletter Signup
    CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
    © 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
    All Rights reserved
    Advocate.comAdvocate.com
    Scroll To Top

    By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.

    Accept

    Who's Who in the New Queer as Folk: Peacock v. Showtime

    Advocate.com Editors

    Who's Who in the New Queer as Folk: Peacock v. Showtime

    Brian & Brodie or Justin & Mingus: Who's Who in the New Queer As Folk?

    QAF Tease

    In November 2000, the New York Times ran the headline "Cable TV Shatters Another Taboo; A New Showtime Series Will Focus on Gay Sexuality" as the groundbreaking show, Queer as Folk prepared to debut in the United States. Over the course of five seasons, viewers fell in love with the antics of Brian, Justin, Michael, Emmett, Ted, Debbie, Melanie, and Lindsay. Fast forward to June 9 of this year, and now 22 years later, a new cast of characters has joined forces in an extension to the modern struggles facing LGBTQ+ people. These young (and hot) queers and allies are taking turns on the small screen to show the world what life is like in today's Babylon.

    And while the characters are all distinctly different, fans of the Showtime version of Queer as Folk will certainly notice some parallels.

    At least we did. Do you agree?

    Related: Robert Gant on Queer as Folk, 20 Years Later

    Brian Kinney and Brodie

    Brian Kinney and Brodie

    Sex.

    Lots of it, whenever, whatever, with whomever. That was basically Brian Kinney's M.O. in the original series. Brian was cocky and had a cold exterior, but really, he was just a self-conscious over-achieving gay man, terrified of aging and being relegated to domestic life. He was a perpetual bachelor with a soft spot for his young (very young) plaything-turned-soulmate, Justin Taylor.

    Brodie is also all about that D and, like Brian, has an on-and-off-again very young love interest and like his 2000 counterpart, Brodie too is running away from something in his life that he's afraid of.

    Justin Taylor and Mingus

    Justin Taylor and Mingus

    During his teenage years, Justin lost his virginity and fell in love with Brian. His bright smile and bright disposition earn him the nickname "Sunshine." He briefly contemplates attending business school to appease his father but ultimately decides to study art to pursue a career as a visual artist instead. The relationship between Justin and Brian continues throughout the five seasons, culminating in a marriage proposal.

    Despite Justin's response, Brian suggests he pursue his art in New York, where he will succeed more.

    On the other hand, Mingus is also underage and infatuated with older man Brodie, the Brian of this series version. And the two also have a sexual relationship. Mingus's immaturity through his actions on the show harkens back to Justin's character from the previous U.S. version of Queer as Folk.

    Michael Novotny and Julian

    Michael Novotny and Julian

    Everybody loved Michael Novotny. What's not to love? He was the doting and loyal friend who saw the best in everyone and whose naivete was at the same time endearing as it was maddening.

    With Julian the audience again is invited to love a character who seems to be incredibly green and naive to gay life. But, just as with Michael, the viewer get surprised here and there with how much Julian actually does know.

    Emmett Honeycut and Noah

    Emmett Honeycut and Noah

    Emmett was unapologetically himself. Flamboyantly over the top, the outspoken, bold, and up-for-anything character was beloved by his circle, even if his antics would come with a bit of drama from time to time.

    Noah is introduced to the audience in a fit of drama. As a lawyer, Noah is professionally dissimilar from Emmett, who would find a new seeming adventure often, but the two drop everything for their friends as is evident when Noah uses his lawyering skills to get a friend out of trouble.

    Debby Novotny and Judy

    Debby Novotny and Judy

    The 2000 version of QAF featured the over-the-top PFLAG mother of the year to Michael Novotny, Debbie. The loud and colorful waitress at the local diner, popular with the LGBTQ+ community, went out of her way to celebrate all things gay. The love for Michael inspired Debbie to get up every day as she navigated her son's life while eventually needing to find a way to pursue a life of her own that didn't revolve solely around activism and allyship.

    Judy, like Debbie is super (perhaps overly) involved in her son's life. She wants the know it all: who did he sleep with, and does he need the good poppers? Judy meddles in Mingus's life out of love, just as Debbie did with Michael.

    Lindsey Peterson and Shar

    Lindsey Peterson and Shar

    Melanie and Lindsay have a strong relationship, but they have problems, like any committed couple. During its five seasons, the show dealt with infidelity twice. Both had affairs, but neither affair lasted more than one night, and both participants regretted it immediately. But, Lindsay's affair was treated as a much more severe offense for being with a man.

    Without spoiling anything, let's say that Lindsay and Shar have a lot in common: particularly the caregiver vibe. Shar and Lindsay care deeply for their families and won't tolerate anybody's bullshit.

    Melanie Marcus and Ruthie

    `

    Melanie was rebellious and had a thickheaded clarity to her nature. She's a strong woman and she speaks her mind. She demures to nobody.

    Ruthie also has an eff around and find out attitude.

    Honestly, both characters are not to be messed with lest one wish to find oneself having been taken down several notches. Both are not immediately drawn to parenthood, but over time each develops into the role.

    Latest Stories

    LGBTQ+ Athletes
    Sports
    Badge
    gallery

    27 LGBTQ+ Sports Legends Who Dominated Their Field

    January 13 2023 8:00 AM
    Queer Golden Globes
    Arts & Entertainment
    Badge
    gallery

    14 LGBTQ+ Golden Globes Nominees

    January 10 2023 6:02 PM
    Memoriam
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    In Memoriam: 21 LGBTQ+ Notables Who Died in 2022

    December 30 2022 6:21 PM
    Healey DeSantis Griner
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    The Biggest LGBTQ+ Stories of 2022

    December 30 2022 7:00 AM
    36 Pics of Inhibitions and Shirts Coming Off at Hebro's Jewbilee Party
    Photography
    Badge
    gallery

    36 Pics of Inhibitions and Shirts Coming Off at Hebro's Jewbilee Party

    December 29 2022 3:23 PM
    Queer Saints
    Religion
    Badge
    gallery

    30 LGBTQ+ Religious Saints Throughout History

    December 27 2022 8:01 AM
    best songs
    Music
    Badge
    gallery

    The 12 Best Songs By Queer Artists in 2022

    December 24 2022 11:44 AM
    LGBTQ+ Holiday Movies
    Arts & Entertainment
    Badge
    gallery

    15 LGBTQ+ Christmas Films to Make the Yuletide Even Gayer

    December 23 2022 2:41 PM
    Grindr
    Business
    Badge
    gallery

    Grindr Unwraps Its Sexy & Fun Top Trends of 2022

    December 23 2022 11:43 AM
    Queer Christmas
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    21 Movies That Queered Christmas

    December 23 2022 8:00 AM
    World AIDS Day ball
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    24 Photos of The Center Honoring HIV Awareness & NYC's Ballroom Scene

    December 22 2022 3:00 PM
    Provincetown Holly Folly
    Arts & Entertainment
    Badge
    gallery

    97 Cheery Photos of Provincetown's Holly Folly Holiday Bash

    December 19 2022 4:38 PM
    Crip
    Art
    Badge
    gallery

    Queer and Disabled Lives Beautifully Intersected

    December 18 2022 12:08 PM
    Advocate People of the Year luncheon
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    15 Images of Queer Joy at The Advocate's People of the Year Party

    December 08 2022 8:04 PM
    Susan Collins, Mitt Romney, and Todd Young
    Politics
    Badge
    gallery

    Who Are the 12 Republican Senators Who Voted for Marriage Equality?

    November 29 2022 6:40 PM
    sex work
    Sexy Beast
    Badge
    gallery

    26 Things Gay Sex Workers Want You to Know

    November 28 2022 10:29 AM
    Robert Giard
    Photography
    Badge
    gallery

    22 Photos of LGBTQ Writers, Artists, & Activists of the '80s and '90s

    November 28 2022 9:01 AM
    Queer Big Apple Corps Marching Band
    Voices
    Badge
    gallery

    Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Is Ready to Make Queer History

    November 24 2022 6:00 AM
    Club Q victims
    Crime
    Badge
    gallery

    Photos: Who Were the 5 Victims of the Club Q Shooting?

    November 21 2022 7:35 PM
    Trans Deaths in 2022
    Transgender
    Badge
    gallery

    Here Are the Trans Americans Killed in 2022 So Far

    November 20 2022 2:40 PM