11 Rising Queer Actors We're Watching

With more LGBTQ+ stories being told on the big and small screens, queer Hollywood is certainly having a moment. We love seeing the inspiring new talent in thrilling TV shows and film so we're breaking down some of our favorite rising stars: Where we know them from, why they're doing amazing, and where we can see them shine next.

Yasmin Finney

One of the many delightful breakouts of Netflix success "Heartstopper," Finney embodies the role of Elle with a warmth that makes her performance unforgettable. She also made waves by being cast as a trans character named Rose in British sensation "Doctor Who," and made us all root for her even more when she said she'd like to be the first trans Bond girl.

Rhoyle Ivy King

Easily the scene-stealer of "All-American" spinoff show "All-American: Homecoming," King made history as The CW's first Black nonbinary character, Nathaniel. We look forward to joining Nate on campus again with Season 2, where King has been upped to series regular. In the meantime, King's social media is a wonderland of outfit pics from the "Homecoming" set and the glamorous events he's been invited to.

Amandla Stenberg

Known to many as Rue from "The Hunger Games," Amandla Stenberg has led ground-breaking teen films like "Everything Everything" and "The Hate U Give." This year, we can see her in satirical summer horror A24 film "Bodies Bodies Bodies" and celebrate their welcoming into the "Star Wars" family, where she's been cast in next year's series "The Acolyte."

Reneé Rapp

We know (and love!) Reneé Rapp as Broadway's Regina George, and wealthy closeted lesbian Leighton in HBO's "The Sex Lives of College Girls." Rapp recently dropped her first two original singles, "Tattoos" and "In the Kitchen" –both of them beautiful breakup ballads. Look out for her in Season 2 of "TSLOCG," where hopefully her character will have no use for songs about heartbreak.

Vico Ortiz

The Puerto Rican actor is best known as Jim in fan-favorite queer pirate show "Our Flag Means Death." Vico Ortiz has been making waves and winning hearts with their presence on screens, most significantly for audiences who hadn't seen the various intersections of their identities represented before, and certainly not so meaningfully. With the show now renewed for a second season, we can't wait to see where Jim goes next!

Jasmin Savoy Brown

She rocked our worlds with a striking combination of fierce and tenderness as a young Taissa in "Yellowjackets," and Jasmin Savoy Brown continues to do so with her sultry singing voice in the explicitly queer music videos she's been releasing since the wildly popular show aired. We'll see her return as both Taissa in Season 2 of "Yellowjackets" and Mindy Meeks-Martin in the upcoming slasher "Scream 6".

Hunter Schafer

We had to include "Euphoria" breakout Hunter Schafer here because, on top of her iconic TV role and career as a model, we'll soon have the privilege of seeing Schafer dive into the movie industry. She plays Tigris Snow in "The Hunger Games" prequel "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" and leads the secretive horror film "Cuckoo."

Kiersey Clemons

A beloved, familiar face in the world of indie films, and voice of the queer activist Derica in Prime Video comedy "Fairfax," Kiersey Clemons continues their charming, compelling work in the upcoming TIFF debut "Susie Searches." We're excited to hear them voice Eliza in the upcoming animated show "Praise Petey," and see them in the ambitious, as-yet-untitled Apple TV+ live action "Godzilla and the Titans" series.

Justice Smith

Justice Smith made a name for himself with creative projects both underrated and unmatched in quality ("The Get Down", "Detective Pikachu" and "Genera+ion" among them). It's a joy to see him continue to get roles that showcase his remarkable talent, consistently captivating performances, and luminous on-screen presence. We'll see him next in romance-thriller "Young Lust" alongside Nat Wolff, Apple TV+ con-artist film "Sharper" with Sebastian Stan and Julianne Moore, and blockbuster "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves."

Troye Sivan

"Boy Erased" actor and certified pop star Troye Sivan returned to our screens this year with coming-of-age film "Three Months," about a young boy finding love in unexpected places during the three-month waiting period for his HIV test results. We can't wait to see Sivan in the highly anticipated HBO show "The Idol" which comes (in the words of its teaser trailer) "from the sick and twisted minds of" musician The Weeknd and "Euphoria" creator Sam Levinson.

Hari Nef

We love everything about Hari Nef –especially her bold fashion game – and we could not be more thrilled that she'll portray trans icon Candy Darling in the upcoming biopic. It's a role that means so much to Nef, and we know that the film is going to be a true moment for the community. She also stars in The Weeknd's "The Idol," the much-talked-about Greta Gerwig "Barbie" movie, and she's a series regular playing a badass trans lawyer in the upcoming "L.A. Law" revival.