Peacock's 'Queer as Folk' Reimagining Gets June Premiere Date, First Photos

The doors of Babylon open on June 9, as Peacock's Queer as Folk reimagining launches that day.

From creator, writer, executive producer, and director Stephen Dunn, Peacock's Queer as Folk will explore a diverse group of friends, this time in New Orleans, whose lives are transformed after a tragedy. The original Queer as Folk, from Russell T. Davies, was set in Pennsylvania.

"Like most queer '90s kids, I had a unique relationship with the original Queer as Folk," Dunn said in a statement. "Growing up, I was desperate for any sort of connection with people like me. It was the first time I really felt seen. The show offered a new paradigm — one where we could accept and celebrate queer love, families, and communities on a global stage. It was truly iconic. I am honored that Russell T. Davies, the creator of the original series, entrusted me to continue this legacy."

"I wanted to create a new groundbreaking version of this show for this moment. Our new Queer as Folk is set in New Orleans — one of the most unique queer communities in North America — and I am immensely proud that the new series is comprised of an electric ensemble of fresh characters that mirror the modern global audience," he continued. "If there's one person who is able to see Queer as Folk and feel less alone, or who now feels more supported and seen, our job is done. In the true spirit of the original, our show doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of our community, but above all else, the series is about people who live vibrant, vital, unapologetically queer lives."

In addition to Dunn, the series is executive produced by Jaclyn Moore, who also serves as writer; Davies; Brian Dannelly, who also directs; Lee Eisenberg; Emily Brecht; Nicola Shindler; and Louise Pedersen on behalf of All3 Media International. 

"I'm very proud of what we achieved in 1999, but in queer years, that was a millennium ago," Davies said in a statement. "As a community, we've radicalized, explored, opened up, and found new worlds — with new enemies and new allies — and there was so much to be said. Stephen pitched a brand new version of Queer as Folk with so much imagination, insight, and crucially, joy, that I simply couldn't resist. I thought it was about time the title belonged to a whole new generation. The 2022 show is more diverse, more wild, more free, more angry — everything a queer show should be."

Added Moore: "I believe deeply in the power of storytelling to make people feel seen, but all too often I feel as though queer and trans representation in art is limited to extremes. We are either shown as saintly heroes bravely surviving a bigoted society or two-dimensional queer-coded villains that feel airdropped in from some previous era. With Queer as Folk, we aimed to depict queer characters who live in the messy middle. People who are complicated. Who are funny and caring and flawed and sometimes selfish, but still worthy of love. Still worthy of narrative. As a trans woman, I'm excited to take steps to move past telling stories that seem to just be arguing for our basic humanity. My hope is that Queer as Folk is one such step." 

Get to know the new cast and their characters through official descriptions released by Peacock, as well as some first-look photos, below:

Devin Way is Brodie, who is described as "a charming and sometimes chaotic commitment phobe who finds a reason to stay in New Orleans after tragedy rocks his community."

Fin Argus is Mingus, called "a cocky high schooler whose confidence belies their lack of real world experience."

Jesse James Keitel is Ruthie, who is a a transgender, semi-reformed party girl "struggling to grow up."

CG is Shar, a non-binary professor who is "navigating the rocky transition from punk to parenthood."

Johnny Sibilly is Noah, described as "a successful lawyer  who is not  as put together as he seems."

Ryan O'Connell is Julian, who is described as "a pop culture nerd with cerebral palsy who is more than ready for some independence." O'Connell also serves as a writer and co-executive producer on the series.

Guest stars for the new drama series include Kim Cattrall as Brenda, who Peacock calls "a martini-soaked, high society southern debutant with trailer park roots"; Juliette Lewis as Judy, "a single mom who is more of a friend than a parent to her teenager"; Ed Begley Jr. as Winston, "an emotionally distant father" (but it is not yet confirmed whose father he is); Armand Fields as reigning drag queen and drag scene matriarch Bussey; Chris Renfro as Daddius, described as "a fun-loving hedonist who is always the life of the party"; Eric Graise as Marvin, who is called "a jaded barfly"; Sachin Bhatt as Ali, described as "an empathetic sex worker"; Benito Skinner as Jack Cole Jordan, "a self-aggrandizing influencer"; Nyle DiMarco as grad student Leo; Lukas Gage as personal trainer Eric; Megan Stalter as aspiring singer Megan; Olli Haaskivi as George, who the network describes as "a friend from the mall" but doesn't specify whose friend; and Calvin Seabrooks as Taylor, who is described as a "reluctant dinner party guest," although whose party and why he's reluctant to be there remains to be seen.

The original Queer as Folk earned a 61 Metascore from critics and was beloved by awards voting bodies, as well, earning multiple BAFTA Award nominations and a GLAAD Award, to name a few.