SYFY and USA Network's Chucky TV show has won over critics and fans alike, quietly proving itself as the most inclusive horror show on television. For several decades, the horror genre has been a beacon to the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups. Where mainstream franchises often left them behind, horror embraced and explored a sense of otherness they could more deeply relate to. Whether it be through subtext or something more overt, elements of horror and the general atmosphere—campily fun or otherwise—resonated with queer audiences and the like. In recent years, things have gone a step further, such as The Babadook becoming a gay pride icon.

The Child’s Play franchise itself has contributed to that fact since its 1988 debut. Though it originated as more traditional slasher fare, creator Don Mancini ultimately steered things in a more knowingly campy direction. That new tone first emerged in Bride of Chucky before really hitting its stride in 2004’s Seed of Chucky, where after merely writing each of the previous installments, Mancini also officially took over as director. As well as stepping up the meta-commentary, he recruited openly gay actor John Waters for a role, and introduced the character of Glen/Glenda, which Mancini has stated was inspired by his own struggles with sexuality during his youth. Seed of Chucky was rejected by studio execs at Universal, but the final product was warmly embraced by LGBTQ+ fans, who have continued to cite it as a source of inspiration and awakening to this very day.

Related: Why Chucky’s Origin Reveal Succeeds (Where Other Slasher Series Fail)

In terms of television, Chucky was far from the first to translate that style and formula to a wider audience. Since 2011, American Horror Story carved out a corner for campy fun and progressive characters on the small screen. Regardless, the results have been very hit or miss in recent years. Adding to that has been the absence of some fresh landmark characters like those that populated earlier seasons, with representations of several sections of society few and far between. That has quietly allowed the Chucky TV show to steal the crown from it and countless other horror shows increasingly occupying the television landscape. As well as delivering on expected bloody and campy thrills, Chucky 2021’s cast of new and returning characters offered representation from all across the proverbial spectrums in one season. For starters, there are are several prominent, Black, Asian, and Filipino-descended characters and actors without a trace of stereotypes. But it didn’t stop there. Here are all the ways Chucky became the most inclusive horror show on television.

Openly Gay Heroes

Zackary Arthur as Jake Wheeler in Chucky Episode 2

Played by Zackary Arthur, the main protagonist has been Jake Wheeler. From the very beginning of Chucky episode 1, “Death by Misadventure,” Jake has been openly gay. Despite ridicule from his peers and abusive pressure from his father, Jake remained true to that side of himself—right down to a pride flag in his room. Rather than simply coasting on that fact to keep Jake likable or sympathetic, Mancini had Jake briefly succumb to his pain and venture to the dark side. As such, not only did Chucky serve as kind of a Heathers movie remake, it gifted viewers a truly complex and nuanced gay hero. Add to that the character of Devon Evans (Björgvin Arnarson)—a young podcaster in Hackensack and an eventual love interest for Jake—and fans actually have two gay protagonists opposing Chucky.

The Central Romance

Zackary Arthur as Jake Wheeler and Björgvin Arnarson as Devon Evans in Chucky Episode 5

Once again demonstrating his commitment to not rest on his laurels, Mancini didn’t stop at simply having two of his main characters be gay. He made their relationship—an interracial one at that—core to the story. Initially a crush that Jake nursed from afar, he and Devon were brought together by the events of the Chucky television series. Despite the inherently traumatic nature of Chucky’s rampage, the episodes were blessed with a coming-of-age spin as their friendship grew and ultimately blossomed into romance.  Things culminated with an Internet-breaking first kiss in the Easter egg-packed Chucky episode 5, entitled "Little Little Lies". Given the same focus and care as heterosexual relationships on TV, it was treated equally as no big deal and given hugely emotional moments. As such, Chucky elevated itself, adding a lot of heart amid the carnage.

Genderfluid Character

Billy Boyd as Glen and Glenda in Seed of Chucky and Brad Dourif as Chucky

Voiced by Billy Boyd, the character of Glen/Glenda was first introduced in Seed of Chucky. The love child of Tiffany and Chucky, they initially lived life as a marionette before having their soul transferred into the bodies of human twins. Fans have since wondered what became of them. Though that question has remained up in the air, there was at least a reference to Glen/Glenda in the Chucky show. Though some believed them to be separate souls, Chucky episode 2 clarified that Glen/Glenda is simply one, genderfluid person. Given the lack of genderfluid representation on-screen, the reveal was one of the most celebrated parts of Chucky, with even the killer doll being more accepting of it than most. Fans have since become all the more eager for Glen/Glenda to actually appear, in one form or another.

Related: Is Miss Fairchild Glen/Glenda In Disguise? Chucky Theory Explained

A Wheelchair-Using Hero

Fiona Dourif as Nica in Chucky TV Show and Cult of Chucky

Played by Fiona Dourif, Nica Pierce emerged as the direct-to-video Curse of Chucky’s final girl after the rest of her family was picked off. A lifelong paraplegic, she proved to be a thoroughly modern hero, combating the threat from her wheelchair. Nica returned to do the same in the 2017 sequel Cult of Chucky. While it seemed as though her body may have been healed after being possessed by the killer doll, Nica’s Chucky episode 5 return countered that cliffhanger. Without the use of her legs, Nica has to once again rely on her wits way more than most heroes. Equally, wheelchair users the world over still have a representative horror protagonist to root for as Nica strives to escape the control of Chucky and the watchful clutches of his partner-in-crime Tiffany.

Caroline’s Potential Autism

Carina Battrick as Caroline Cross in Chucky episode 3

Another “friend to the end” that Chucky made was Caroline Cross (Carina Battrick). The two have shared several amusing scenes, including playing video games together between his murderous exploits. It hasn’t been expressly stated on the Chucky TV show but many have noticed signs that Caroline may be on the Autistic spectrum, making it all the more oddly touching that Chucky actually seems to care about Caroline. She’s heavily reliant on her daily routines and specific items or toys. Caroline was also shown to experience sensory overload including an aversion to being touched, and has an almost savant-level memory and drawing ability. Once again portrayed as the everyday thing it is, the respect and care that’s gone into the Chucky show’s depiction of Caroline has been understandably praised.

Tiffany’s Bisexuality

jennifer tilly, chucky

When Chucky possessed Nica during Cult of Chucky’s ending, Jennifer Tilly's Tiffany stated, “It works for me.” At the time, it could be construed that she was something akin to pansexual and would’ve accepted Chucky in any form he took. Spun off from the original movies, the Chucky series clarified, however, that Tiffany was more generally bisexual. The reveal came in the Chucky episode 5 flashbacks, when she happily frolicked with Delilah before fully connecting with Charles Lee Ray. As such, the Chucky show added another example of inclusive representation to its list, and through an already much-beloved character too.

Chucky’s Sexual Exploration

Fiona Dourif as Nica Chucky in Chucky Episode 5

Chucky episode 5 reveals that the killer doll has taken advantage of his new female form to broaden his own sexual horizons. In all previous Child's Play outings, Charles Lee Ray—the "Lakeshore Strangler" and Chucky's original human form—has seemed predominantly heterosexual. According to Tiffany, however, he'd been "expanding his palette," which was seemingly a nod to Chucky himself not being entirely heterosexual. That fact was made all the more clear when he expressed attraction to their male hostage. As such, Chucky himself may have realized that he too is bisexual, potentially extending the inclusive representation of the franchise even further.

Related: Every TV Show Based On A Horror Movie (So Far)

Junior’s Potential Asexuality

Teo Briones as Junior Wheeler in Chucky Episode 4

Some theories have suggested that Junior (Teo Briones) will become Chucky’s new protégé. Whether or not that ultimately comes to pass, some have also begun to suspect that Junior might actually be asexual. Of course, his discomfort and inability to engage with Lexy (Alyvia Alyn Lind) in that way could be simply because he is still extremely young. Given what’s been conveyed about his life, however, it would make a certain kind of sense. Dating and such could be another thing he’s simply felt pressured to do in the spirit of being the popular kid at school and everything that his father expects of him. Given that asexual characters have long been drastically underrepresented in media, it would certainly be crowd-pleasing and elevate the Chucky TV show’s inclusivity even further, should it turn out to be true.

Fiona Dourif as Charles Lee Ray

Blaise Crocker as Tiffany Valentine and Fiona Dourif as Charles Lee Ray in Chucky Episode 5

Whether they were able to see beyond the prosthetics or were entirely surprised, countless fans were blown away by Fiona Dourif playing Charles Lee Ray in Chucky flashbacks. It was not only a great way to maintain the legacy established by her father Brad Dourif—the original Charles/Chucky—but a huge leap forward in terms of the whole “best person for the role” debate that frequently rages. After decades of roles being whitewashed or taken away from those it should go to, it was refreshing to see the tide flow the other way and in a more positive fashion. With a pitch-perfect performance, Fiona Dourif showed that sometimes the best person for a cisgendered male role might just be a woman. As such, the Chucky TV show has proven itself just as inclusive behind the scenes as it has on-screen, doing for horror what the Arrowverse has done for superheroes. And that’ll likely only become more so as the adventures continue.

More: Every Child's Play and Chucky Actor That Plays Dual Roles