These shows are giving us the nonbinary representation we NEED!
Nonbinary people are hugely underrepresented in media, but thankfully, that's been slowly changing on television over the last few years. At first, nonbinary characters started being introduced on cable shows like Billions, but now have spread all the way to kids shows, even on the Disney Channel.
In fact, a surprisingly large amount of kids shows feature nonbinary characters, with many of them being introduced just this year. Of course, there's still a ways to go, but it's still nice to see.
To celebrate, here are 18 TV shows with nonbinary characters (along with the nonbinary actors who play them)!
'Deputy' — Bishop
Bex Taylor-Klaus starred in on Fox's Deputy as Deputy Bishop, a stylish nonbinary cop sidekick to the show's lead Stephen Dorff. On this procedural show that blends classic Western-movie tropes with a modern cop show, Deputy Bishop is a smart and sarcastic driver in charge of the Sheriff's security detail.
'Madagascar: A Little Wild' — Odee the Okapi
Odee the nonbinary okapi made their debut in a Pride-themed episode of this kids show on Hulu and Peacock. The nonbinary character—a first for the Madagascar franchise—was voiced by nonbinary actor Ezra Menas.
'Fruit Salad TV' — Shirly Shawn the Nonbinary Unicorn
Australian kids entertainers The Wiggles recently got more diverse, including adding this nonbinary unicorn to their new YouTube show Fruit Salad TV. The nonbinary character uses they/them pronouns on the show and has their very own catchphrase: "Scrumptious."
'Steven Universe/Steven Universe Future' — Stevonnie and Shep
Critically-acclaimed Cartoon Network series Steven Universe, created by nonbinary writer and animator Rebecca Sugar, not only had the nonbinary gems, but Stevonnie, a nonbinary and intersex character. On Steven Universe Future, a new human nonbinary character, Shep, was introduced. They were voiced by Indya Moore.
'Craig of the Creek' — Angel
Craig of the Creek has had several nonbinary kids on it, including Merkid and Angel, pictured here. Angel is based on and voiced by Angel Lorenzana, a nonbinary storyboard artist and writer for the show. Craig of the Creek follows Craig Williams and his friends as they explore the wilderness, which is dominated by tribes of children.
'Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts' — Asher
Asher on this Netflix show is voiced by nonbinary comedian RB Butcher. This incredibly queer post-apocalyptic show doesn't make a big deal out of Asher's gender identity; instead, their friends accept that they're nonbinary without question.
'She-Ra and the Princesses of Power' — Double Trouble
Genderqueer actor Jacob Tobia voiced this groundbreaking nonbinary shapeshifter on the popular Netflix show. Introduced in season 4, Double Trouble is a mercenary who uses they/them pronouns.
'Big Sky' — Jerrie Kennedy
Jesse James Keitel became the first nonbinary actor to play a nonbinary series regular on primetime television when she was cast in the ABC crime drama Big Sky. Jerrie Kennedy was kicked out by their parents and forced into survival sex work on this show about a pair of investigators who team up to solve crimes in Montana.
'Danger & Eggs' — Milo
Milo was a nonbinary kid voiced by Tyler Ford on this much-too-short-lived Amazon series. The show is about a teenage girl who is always on the lookout for her next adventure and her anthropomorphic egg friend.
'The Owl House' — Raine Whispers
Raine Whispers, voiced by Avi Roque, is a nonbinary witch who used to date Eda on The Owl House and now is the leader of the Bard Coven. The show is also Disney's first-ever series with a bisexual protagonist. Roque not only voices a nonbinary character but is also trans masc and nonbinary in real life.
'One Day At A Time' — Syd
Sheridan Pierce played Syd, the nonbinary partner of Elena Alverez on this Latinx reboot of the popular sitcom. Elena comes out as a lesbian on the critically acclaimed Netflix, which focuses on her navigating young queer love with Syd.
'City of Ghosts' — Thomas
Trans child actor Blue Chapman voices Thomas, a nonbinary 7-year-old on this charming Netflix series. Thomas' gender identity is introduced matter-of-factly in the second episode when they say, "My name is Thomas, I use they and them for my pronouns."
'Star Trek: Discovery' — Adira Tal
Blu del Barrio made history when they played the first nonbinary character in Ster Trek history. Barrio was also the first out nonbinary actor to appear in the long-running franchise.
'Billions' — Taylor Mason
Asia Kate Dillon played Taylor Mason on Billions, becoming the first nonbinary main character in a major television series in North American TV history. Dillon didn't know how to put words to their feelings about their gender identity until they read Taylor Mason's character description. Since then, the actor has also identified as nonbinary.
'Feel Good' — Mae
Mae is the fictionalized version of the series' creator Mae Martin. Both Martin and their character came out as nonbinary. The semi-autobiographical drama follows Mae, a recovering addict and stand-up comedian, as they navigate a new relationship with a formerly straight woman.
'Grey's Anatomy' — Dr. Kai Bartley
ABC
Seasons 18 and 19 of the long-running show featured a nonbinary actor playing the first nonbinary character to ever appear on the show. For two seasons, E.R. Fightmaster portrayed Dr. Kai Bartley on Grey’s Anatomy, where their gender identity was treated as no big deal and just another facet of the character.
'Our Flag Means Death' — Jim Jimenez
HBO
Played by nonbinary actor Vico Ortiz, Jim Jimenez started the series wearing a fake beard in their quest to be a pirate. The whole show is extremely queer, and Ortiz’s character adds to the diverse ensemble cast. The show about gentleman Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) giving up his cushy life as a gentleman to become a pirate handles Jim’s gender identity with care and even gives them a sweet love story with a fellow pirate.
