Loki director Kate Herron responds to criticism of the show's level of bisexual representation from Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies. Davies has a history of creating groundbreaking LGBTQ+ programs for British television, including the 1999 series Queer as Folk, which was adapted for American television in 2000 and has another reboot coming to Peacock later this year. Davies also brought the linked LGBTQ+ series Cucumber and Banana as well as the critically acclaimed AIDS drama It's a Sin to airwaves in 2015 and 2021. His other shows have also included LGBTQ+ characters like Doctor Who's pansexual Captain Jack Harkness, played by actor John Barrowman.
As somebody who has spent a large portion of his career uplifting LGBTQ+ stories, Davies took out his frustrations about representation on Disney+'s Loki, which premiered season 1 in 2021. Episode 3 of the series involved Loki coming out as bisexual, with the show's central romance focused on his relationship with a female-presenting version of himself. The moment confirmed what many viewers had longed believed about the character, partly due to his portrayal as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in the comics. Shortly after the Loki episode, Davies called the bisexual reveal scene in part “a ridiculous, craven, feeble gesture towards the vital politics and the stories that should be told.”
While speaking with Variety at Loki's FYC Emmy event, Herron shared her reaction to Davies' comments. The director, who has also helmed episodes of the Netflix series Sex Education and Daybreak, herself identifies as queer. Read Herron's full quote below:
I don’t disagree that there should be bigger stories being told, but — and I think he has a right to his opinion — I’m very proud of what we did in the show. Russell is a hero of mine, but like I’ve said, I hope that we did at least open the door and that more stories will come.
The way that Loki's bisexuality was represented in the series reflects Disney's complicated relationship with the LGBTQ+ community. The company, which owns Marvel Studios, recently ended up in hot water regarding CEO Bob Chapek's response to the controversial "Don't Say Gay" bill in Florida, including the company's funding of several politicians who worked in support of the bill. In the wake of this controversy, it was revealed that the company had asked its subsidiary Pixar to cut a same-sex kiss from the upcoming film Lightyear, which was later reinstated.
Although Herron was the director on every episode of Loki season 1, she's opted not to return to the series. Season 2 will bring on Moon Knight co-directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead to helm the bulk of the episodes instead. It remains to be seen if, under their watchful eye as well as an impending potential regime change at Disney, Loki will further explore the bisexuality of its central character in a more robust way.
Source: Variety
