Peacock's new Queer as Folk reboot features an extensive cast of new characters. Developed for a modern audience by Stephen Dunn, the series aims to revamp and resurrect the revolutionary representation of both the British and American versions of Queer as Folk that originally premiered in the late '90s and early '00s. The first iteration of the show was created by Doctor Who's Russell T. Davies, and aired on Channel 4 in the U.K. in 1999. Queer as Folk quickly made waves as one of the first shows on television to depict explicit gay sex and the intricacies of the queer club scene at the time.
Though the British series didn't last very long, an American version was soon created for Showtime starring Hal Sparks, Gale Harold, and the legendary Sharon Gless (Cagney & Lacey). It lasted for five seasons and gained an ardent following, largely made up of queer viewers who had never seen themselves represented on screen before Queer as Folk. The show greatly expanded the presence of LGBTQ+ characters on television and inspired other shows to do the same. Queer-centric content, such as The L Word, became increasingly prominent and visible, with Queer as Folk being firmly in the nexus of this new stage of representation.
Unlike The L Word: Generation Q season 1 and many other shows that have been revived in recent years, Peacock's Queer as Folk unfortunately does not include any of the actors or writers from the previous series. The streaming show instead introduces a new roster of cast and characters, and takes care to showcase diversity and intersectionality within the queer community in a way that the mostly white and binary U.K. and U.S. iterations of the show did not. Here is a full guide to the cast and characters of Peacock's Queer as Folk.
Devin Way as Brodie
Devin Way plays Brodie, a med-school drop-out who returns home to New Orleans after a long absence at the start of the series. Though he is keen to avoid admitting the reason for his return, Brodie attempts to mend fences with some of the people he left behind, including his parents, brother, and ex-boyfriend. Before playing Brodie on the Queer as Folk reboot, Devin Way appeared as Dr. Blake Simms on Grey's Anatomy and Station 19.
Jesse James Keitel as Ruthie
Actress Jesse James Keitel plays the role of Ruthie on Queer as Folk. She is a high school teacher, and one of Brodie's closest friends. She and her partner, Shar, are new parents to a set of twins, although Ruthie struggles to give up her more reckless impulses in order to be a mother. Keitel made history for her work on Blue Sky as ABC's first openly transgender series regular, and recently won the Human Rights Campaign's Equality Award.
Johnny Sibilly as Noah
Noah, played by Johnny Sibilly, is a successful lawyer - as well as Brodie's conflicted ex-boyfriend. After Brodie abruptly left him years ago, Noah is reluctant to let him back into his life, especially given the fact that he is now seeing Brodie's best friend, Daddius. Sibilly is known for playing Wilson on HBO's Hacks, as well as featuring in shows such as Pose and The Deuce.
Fin Argus as Mingus
Mingus is a 17-year-old high school student, skateboarder, and aspiring drag performer. With strong support from their mother and best friend, Mingus is ready to find out what the queer scene of New Orleans has to offer, while simultaneously harboring potent feelings for the older and more experienced Brodie. Fin Argus starred in the Disney+ movie Clouds with Neve Campbell and Sabrina Carpenter, and is a singer-songwriter and musician in addition to being an actor.
CG as Shar
Shar is a non-binary professor who is heavily pregnant with their and their partner Ruthie's babies at the outset of Queer as Folk. They seem to be more practical and responsible than Ruthie, and have a somewhat contentious relationship with Brodie despite the fact that they are carrying his baby. This is a breakthrough acting role for CG, who has not appeared on a show of this scale before.
Ryan O'Connell as Julian
Known for being the creator and star of Netflix's Special, Ryan O'Connell plays Julian on Queer as Folk, while also serving as a writer for two of this season's episodes and a co-executive producer for the series. Julian is Brodie's brother, though they do not have a very close relationship.
Eric Graise as Marvin
Marvin is a somewhat apathetic regular at Babylon, the hub of the Queer as Folk club scene. He is portrayed by Eric Graise, a distinguished actor, dancer, and theater performer who is also a prominent advocate for artists with disabilities as a bilateral amputee. He has previously appeared on shows such as Dynasty and Locke & Key.
Kim Cattrall as Brenda
Brenda is Brodie and Julian's mother, and is deeply unhappy in her marriage. She is played by a grounded and warm Kim Cattrall, best known for her iconic role as Samantha Jones in Sex and the City, though she has been exploring other projects after opting not to return for the Sex and the City follow-up series ...And Just Like That. Some of her recent projects include How I Met Your Father and Tell Me A Story.
Juliette Lewis as Judy
Judy is Mingus' very supportive and loving mother who encourages them to follow their drag dreams. The role is played by the accomplished and beloved actress Juliette Lewis, who has starred in films such as Cape Fear and What's Eating Gilbert Grape? More recently, she can also be seen on the critically acclaimed hit Showtime series Yellowjackets.
Queer As Folk Supporting Cast
Ed Begley Jr. as Winston Beaumont – actor and environmental activist Begley Jr. will feature as Brodie's father, Winston. Described as being emotionally unavailable and distant, the role provides a source of conflict in the drama.
Chris Renfro as Daddius Miller – Non-binary performer and entertainer Chris Renfro stars as the effervescent Daddius Miller. Although Renfro's film and TV credits are limited, they have also featured on the likes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Tom Swift.
Armand Fields as Bussey – As the reigning Babylon drag queen, Bussey is a dominant presence in the new Queer as Folk reboot. In addition to the Showtime series, Fields is probably best-known for their role as King in the series Work in Progress.