The Absolute Best LGBTQ+ Actresses of the Last Five Years

The entertainment industry has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with a growing emphasis on authentic representation and diverse storytelling. LGBTQ+ actresses have been at the forefront of this shift, delivering acclaimed performances across various genres in both film and television. These performers have not only garnered prestigious awards but have also influenced the cultural landscape by bringing complex, queer characters to the mainstream. This list recognizes fifty individuals who have made a substantial impact on the industry through their work over the past five years.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart received her first Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Princess Diana in the 2021 film ‘Spencer’. She also starred in the holiday romantic comedy ‘Happiest Season’, which focused on a queer couple during the Christmas season. In 2024, she led the cast of the body-horror thriller ‘Love Lies Bleeding’, playing a gym manager who falls in love with a bodybuilder. Stewart continues to prioritize independent projects that explore diverse identities and challenging themes.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson starred in the titular role of the Netflix series ‘Ratched’, a prequel exploring the origins of the famous nurse from ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’. She also continued her long-standing collaboration with Ryan Murphy in ‘American Horror Story: Double Feature’ and ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’. In 2020, she played a lead role in the psychological thriller ‘Run’, which became a significant hit for Hulu. Paulson remains one of the most prolific and recognized LGBTQ+ performers in the television industry.

Hunter Schafer

Hunter Schafer gained international recognition for her role as Jules Vaughn in the HBO series ‘Euphoria’, which debuted in 2019. She made her transition to major film roles in 2023 with ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’, portraying Tigris Snow. Schafer also starred in the 2024 horror film ‘Cuckoo’ and is set to appear in several upcoming high-profile projects. Beyond acting, she has been a vocal advocate for transgender rights and has influenced fashion through her work as a model.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez made history in 2022 by becoming the first transgender actress to win a Golden Globe Award for her role as Blanca in ‘Pose’. Following the conclusion of ‘Pose’ in 2021, she transitioned to comedy with a lead role in the Apple TV+ series ‘Loot’. She also voiced the character Nightbird in the 2023 blockbuster ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’. Rodriguez has been recognized by ‘Time’ magazine as one of its Women of the Year for her contributions to the arts and advocacy.

Ariana DeBose

Ariana DeBose won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 adaptation of ‘West Side Story’. She became the first openly queer woman of color to win an acting Oscar for her performance in the musical. DeBose hosted the Tony Awards for three consecutive years starting in 2022, showcasing her background in musical theater. She also voiced the lead character, Asha, in the 2023 Disney animated feature ‘Wish’.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson reprised her role as Valkyrie in the 2022 Marvel Cinematic Universe film ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’, where the character was explicitly identified as the King of New Asgard. She also starred in and produced the 2021 period drama ‘Passing’, which explored themes of racial identity and hidden desires. Thompson continued her lead role as Charlotte Hale in the later seasons of the HBO series ‘Westworld’. She has been vocal about the importance of bisexual representation in big-budget superhero franchises.

Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza received critical acclaim for her role as Harper Spiller in the second season of ‘The White Lotus’, which aired in 2022. She also starred in and produced the 2022 crime thriller ‘Emily the Criminal’, playing a woman driven to illegal acts by student debt. Plaza joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the series ‘Agatha All Along’, portraying the character Rio Vidal. Her recent work has showcased a shift from deadpan comedy to more intense, dramatic performances.

Lily Gladstone

Lily Gladstone achieved widespread fame for her performance as Mollie Burkhart in the 2023 film ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’. She became the first Native American person to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress and received an Academy Award nomination for the role. Gladstone identifies as non-binary and uses she/they pronouns, often discussing the history of gender fluidity in Indigenous cultures. She also starred in the 2023 film ‘The Unknown Country’ and the 2024 series ‘Under the Bridge’.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe starred in the 2022 mystery film ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’, playing the dual roles of Andi and Helen Brand. She also appeared in the 2020 horror film ‘Antebellum’ and the second season of the Amazon series ‘Homecoming’. Monáe, who identifies as non-binary and pansexual, released her critically acclaimed album ‘The Age of Pleasure’ in 2023. Her work continues to blend activism with high-concept storytelling in both music and film.

Bella Ramsey

Bella Ramsey rose to global prominence for their role as Ellie in the 2023 HBO adaptation of ‘The Last of Us’. They received an Emmy nomination for the performance, which was praised for its emotional depth and loyalty to the source material. Ramsey also played the lead role in the 2022 medieval comedy ‘Catherine Called Birdy’, directed by Lena Dunham. They identify as non-binary and have spoken openly about their fluid relationship with gender.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo starred as the legendary Harriet Tubman in the 2019 biopic ‘Harriet’, for which she received two Academy Award nominations. She played the investigator Holly Gibney in the 2020 HBO miniseries ‘The Outsider’, based on the Stephen King novel. In 2024, Erivo took on the iconic role of Elphaba in the film adaptation of the musical ‘Wicked’. She has consistently used her platform to advocate for queer representation in the Broadway and film communities.

Emma Corrin

Emma Corrin gained international fame for their portrayal of Princess Diana in the fourth season of ‘The Crown’, winning a Golden Globe for the role. In 2022, they starred in ‘My Policeman’ and ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’, both of which explored themes of prohibited romance. Corrin joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2024 as the villain Cassandra Nova in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’. They identify as non-binary and have been a prominent voice regarding gender-neutral categories in acting awards.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg starred in the 2022 slasher film ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’, which became a cult hit for its satirical take on Gen Z. In 2024, they took on a dual lead role as Osha and Mae in the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘The Acolyte’. Stenberg has also lent her voice to animated projects, including ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ as Spider-Byte. She has been open about her identity as a gay woman and her commitment to intersectional feminism.

Indya Moore

Indya Moore is best known for their role as Angel Evangelista in the FX series ‘Pose’, which concluded its run in 2021. They appeared in the 2021 horror sequel ‘Escape Room: Tournament of Champions’ and provided voice work for the series ‘Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’. In 2023, Moore joined the cast of ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ as Karshon. They are recognized as a prominent non-binary and transgender advocate within the fashion and film industries.

Dominique Jackson

Dominique Jackson portrayed the formidable Elektra Abundance in ‘Pose’, delivering one of the show’s most iconic performances throughout its three-season run. Following the series, she appeared in ‘American Gods’ as an incarnation of Ms. World. Jackson also served as a judge on the reality competition series ‘Legendary’, which celebrates ballroom culture. She released her memoir and continues to work as a model and public speaker focused on transgender rights.

Angelica Ross

Angelica Ross starred as Candy Ferocity in ‘Pose’ before moving on to a lead role in ‘American Horror Story: 1984’. She made history in 2022 as the first openly transgender woman to play the role of Roxie Hart in the Broadway musical ‘Chicago’. Ross is also the founder of TransTech Social Enterprises, a company that provides vocational training for transgender people. Her career spans acting, tech entrepreneurship, and human rights advocacy.

Hari Nef

Hari Nef appeared in the 2023 global blockbuster ‘Barbie’, playing Doctor Barbie and contributing to the film’s diverse ensemble. She also starred in the HBO series ‘The Idol’ and the 2022 comedy-drama film ‘1Up’. In 2024, she was cast to portray the iconic actress Candy Darling in an upcoming biographical film. Nef has been a pioneer for transgender representation in mainstream fashion and prestigious television dramas.

Beanie Feldstein

Beanie Feldstein starred as Monica Lewinsky in the 2021 limited series ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’. She also headlined the 2019 comedy ‘Booksmart’, which featured a queer lead character and received critical acclaim. Feldstein fulfilled a career-long dream by starring as Fanny Brice in the 2022 Broadway revival of ‘Funny Girl’. She has often discussed her queer identity and her marriage to producer Bonnie-Chance Roberts.

Stephanie Beatriz

Stephanie Beatriz concluded her long-running role as Rosa Diaz on ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ in 2021, a character whose bisexuality mirrored Beatriz’s own. She provided the voice for the lead character Mirabel Madrigal in the 2021 Disney hit ‘Encanto’. Beatriz also starred in the 2021 film adaptation of the musical ‘In the Heights’ as Carla. More recently, she led the cast of the 2023 action-comedy series ‘Twisted Metal’.

Jasmin Savoy Brown

Jasmin Savoy Brown stars as the teenage Taissa Turner in the acclaimed Showtime series ‘Yellowjackets’. She also played Mindy Meeks-Martin in the 2022 and 2023 ‘Scream’ sequels, where her character was a prominent queer figure in the franchise. Brown appeared in the 2021 legal drama series ‘For the People’ and provides voice talent for various video games. She is an advocate for queer women of color in the horror and sci-fi genres.

Liv Hewson

Liv Hewson portrays the teenage Van Palmer in ‘Yellowjackets’, a character whose survival and romance are central to the plot. They also appeared in the Netflix series ‘Santa Clarita Diet’ and the 2019 romantic comedy ‘Let It Snow’. Hewson is non-binary and has been vocal about their decision not to submit for Emmy awards in gendered categories. Their work often highlights the importance of queer representation in ensemble casts.

Kimiko Glenn

Kimiko Glenn provided the voice for Horse in the 2021 Netflix animated series ‘Centaurworld’ and Izzy Moonbow in ‘My Little Pony: A New Generation’. She is well known for her role as Brook Soso in ‘Orange Is the New Black’, which explored queer themes throughout its run. Glenn has also been active in theater and recently appeared in the series ‘The Great North’. She has discussed her queer identity and the importance of Asian-American visibility in entertainment.

Asia Kate Dillon

Asia Kate Dillon continued their role as Taylor Mason in ‘Billions’, a character who was the first non-binary lead on American television. They also appeared as The Adjudicator in the 2019 action film ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’. Dillon has been a major figure in the push for gender-neutral acting categories at major award shows. Their work consistently challenges traditional gender norms within the industry.

Holland Taylor

Holland Taylor received an Emmy nomination for her role as Ellen Kincaid in the 2020 Netflix limited series ‘Hollywood’. She also stars as Cybil Richards in ‘The Morning Show’, playing a powerful media executive. Taylor has been in a long-term relationship with fellow actress Sarah Paulson since 2015. At over 80 years old, she remains one of the most respected and active LGBTQ+ veterans in Hollywood.

Lily-Rose Depp

Lily-Rose Depp starred as Jocelyn in the 2023 HBO drama series ‘The Idol’, a role that garnered significant media attention. She also appeared in the 2021 films ‘Voyagers’ and ‘Silent Night’. Depp has described her sexuality as fluid and has been involved in several high-profile projects in both French and English cinema. She continues to balance her acting career with her work as a prominent fashion house ambassador.

Maya Hawke

Maya Hawke rose to fame as Robin Buckley in the third season of ‘Stranger Things’ in 2019, a character who became a fan favorite after coming out as gay. She starred in the 2023 Wes Anderson film ‘Asteroid City’ and played Eleanor in the Netflix comedy ‘Do Revenge’. Hawke is also a musician and has released multiple albums including ‘Moss’ and ‘Chaos Angel’. She has frequently spoken about her connection to the LGBTQ+ community and her support for queer storytelling.

Rachel Sennott

Rachel Sennott achieved breakout success with the 2020 independent film ‘Shiva Baby’, which she also helped develop. She starred in and co-wrote the 2023 teen comedy ‘Bottoms’, a film centered on a queer fight club in a high school. Sennott also appeared in the 2022 horror-comedy ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ and the HBO series ‘The Idol’. She is recognized as a leading voice in a new generation of queer-focused comedic filmmaking.

Ayo Edebiri

Ayo Edebiri won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her role as Sydney Adamu in the FX series ‘The Bear’. She starred alongside Rachel Sennott in the 2023 queer comedy ‘Bottoms’ and voiced April O’Neil in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’. Edebiri has also written for several comedy series and is a frequent collaborator in the indie film scene. She has openly identified as queer and incorporates her identity into her comedic work.

Reneé Rapp

Reneé Rapp played Regina George in the 2024 film adaptation of the ‘Mean Girls’ musical, a role she previously played on Broadway. She starred as Leighton Murray in the Max series ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’, a character who navigates her queer identity throughout the show. Rapp is also a successful recording artist, having released her debut album ‘Snow Angel’ in 2023. she has been very open about her identity as a lesbian and her experiences in the industry.

Dove Cameron

Dove Cameron starred in the musical comedy series ‘Schmigadoon!’ starting in 2021, playing various roles across its two seasons. She gained significant musical success with her 2022 queer anthem ‘Breakfast’, which accompanied her public coming out. Cameron also appeared in the 2022 film ‘Vengeance’ and has been cast in various upcoming live-action projects. She has used her massive social media following to advocate for bisexual and queer visibility.

Niecy Nash-Betts

Niecy Nash-Betts won an Emmy for her role as Glenda Cleveland in the 2022 series ‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’. She also starred in ‘The Rookie: Feds’ and continued her work on the comedy-drama ‘Claws’. Nash-Betts surprised fans in 2020 by announcing her marriage to singer Jessica Betts, marking a new chapter of queer visibility in her life. She has since become a prominent figure representing Black queer love in the media.

Fiona Shaw

Fiona Shaw appeared in the 2022 ‘Star Wars’ series ‘Andor’ as Maarva Andor, receiving critical praise for her performance. She also played Carolyn Martens in the acclaimed series ‘Killing Eve’, which concluded in 2022. Shaw, a veteran of stage and screen, has been open about her marriage to economist Sonali Deraniyagala. Her recent work includes roles in ‘True Detective: Night Country’ and the film ‘IF’.

Abbi Jacobson

Abbi Jacobson co-created and starred in the 2022 series ‘A League of Their Own’, which significantly expanded the queer storylines of the original film. She also provided the voice for Princess Bean in the long-running Netflix animated series ‘Disenchantment’. Jacobson released a book of illustrations and has been active in producing queer-centered content. She announced her engagement to actress Jodi Balfour in 2022, further cementing her place as a queer icon in comedy.

Clea DuVall

Clea DuVall wrote and directed the 2020 queer holiday film ‘Happiest Season’, which broke streaming records for Hulu. She also provides the voice for Elsa in the animated series ‘HouseBroken’ and appeared in the series ‘The First Lady’. DuVall has been a staple of queer cinema since the 1990s and has transitioned into a prominent director and producer. Her work often focuses on normalizing LGBTQ+ experiences within traditional film genres.

Natasha Lyonne

Natasha Lyonne starred in and co-created the Netflix series ‘Russian Doll’, which released its second season in 2022. She also leads the cast of the Rian Johnson mystery series ‘Poker Face’, playing the human lie detector Charlie Cale. Lyonne has been a long-time supporter and icon within the LGBTQ+ community, often playing queer or queer-coded characters throughout her career. She made her directorial debut with various episodes of her own shows and continues to be a creative force in television.

Kate McKinnon

Kate McKinnon concluded her ten-year run on ‘Saturday Night Live’ in 2022, where she was the show’s first openly lesbian cast member. She played “Weird Barbie” in the 2023 ‘Barbie’ movie, which became the highest-grossing film of the year. McKinnon also starred as Carole Baskin in the 2022 miniseries ‘Joe vs. Carole’. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential queer comedians of her generation.

Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch has voiced the character of Sergeant Calhoun in the ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ franchise and appeared in the 2023 series ‘Party Down’. She won an Emmy for her recurring role as Sazz Pataki in ‘Only Murders in the Building’. Lynch continues to host the game show ‘Hollywood Game Night’ and has been active in various Broadway productions. As an openly lesbian actress for decades, she remains a pioneering figure in the industry.

Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes stars in the Netflix sitcom ‘The Upshaws’, which she also co-created and produces. She appeared in the 2022 series ‘History of the World, Part II’ and has released several stand-up specials, including ‘I’m An Entertainer’. Sykes was one of the hosts of the 94th Academy Awards in 2022. She is a vocal advocate for racial and LGBTQ+ equality, often incorporating these themes into her comedy.

Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin concluded her seven-season run on ‘Grace and Frankie’ in 2022, the longest-running original series on Netflix. She starred in the 2023 films ’80 for Brady’ and ‘Moving On’, reuniting with long-time collaborator Jane Fonda. Tomlin has been with her partner Jane Wagner for over 50 years and is a legendary figure in queer history. She continues to perform stand-up and remains active in environmental and social activism.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster received an Academy Award nomination for her role as Bonnie Stoll in the 2023 film ‘Nyad’. She also starred as Liz Danvers in the fourth season of ‘True Detective’, titled ‘Night Country’, in 2024. Foster won a Golden Globe for her performance in the 2021 legal drama ‘The Mauritanian’. Having been in the industry since childhood, she has become one of the most respected directors and actresses in Hollywood.

Golda Rosheuvel

Golda Rosheuvel gained international fame for her portrayal of Queen Charlotte in the Netflix series ‘Bridgerton’. Her performance was so popular that it led to the 2023 spin-off series ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’. Rosheuvel is an openly gay actress and has spoken about the importance of being a biracial, queer woman in a high-profile period drama. She has also appeared in the 2021 film ‘Dune’ as Shadout Mapes.

Emma D’Arcy

Emma D’Arcy stars as Rhaenyra Targaryen in the HBO fantasy series ‘House of the Dragon’, a role for which they received a Golden Globe nomination. They are non-binary and use they/them pronouns, becoming a prominent figure for non-binary representation in prestige television. Before their breakout role, D’Arcy appeared in the series ‘Truth Seekers’ and ‘Hanna’. Their portrayal of Rhaenyra has been praised for its complexity and emotional resonance.

Natalie Morales

Natalie Morales directed and starred in the 2021 film ‘Language Lessons’, which was shot entirely during the pandemic. She also appeared in the 2023 comedy ‘No Hard Feelings’ and the series ‘Dead to Me’. Morales has been open about her queer identity since 2017 and has become a prolific director of episodic television. She also provided voice work for the series ‘Rugrats’ and ‘The Morning Show’.

Alia Shawkat

Alia Shawkat concluded her lead role as Dory Sief in the series ‘Search Party’ in 2022. She appeared in the 2021 film ‘Being the Ricardos’ and the 2022 series ‘The Old Man’. Shawkat is bisexual and has been a fixture of the independent film scene for years. She is also an artist and has worked behind the scenes as a producer on various creative projects.

Samira Wiley

Samira Wiley continued her role as Moira in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, for which she has received multiple Emmy nominations. She starred in the 2021 film ‘Breaking News in Yuba County’ and provided voice work for ‘Blade Runner: Black Lotus’. Wiley is married to writer Lauren Morelli and has been a prominent face for LGBTQ+ rights. She often plays strong, queer characters who challenge systemic oppression in her television work.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox appeared in the 2022 Netflix series ‘Inventing Anna’ as Kacy Duke and the 2020 film ‘Promising Young Woman’. she hosted ‘E! Live from the Red Carpet’ and continues to be a major figure in fashion and transgender advocacy. In 2024, she starred in the dystopian film ‘Uglies’ on Netflix. Cox remains one of the most famous transgender women in the world, using her platform to highlight violence against the community.

Trace Lysette

Trace Lysette delivered a powerhouse performance in the 2022 film ‘Monica’, where she played a woman returning home to care for her dying mother. She was the first transgender actress to lead a film that competed at the Venice Film Festival. Lysette also appeared in the series ‘Transparent’ and ‘Hustlers’. Her work in ‘Monica’ received critical acclaim and signaled her rise as a leading dramatic actress.

Patti Harrison

Patti Harrison starred in the 2021 independent film ‘Together Together’, becoming the first transgender actress to lead a mainstream romantic comedy. She is a frequent performer on ‘I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson’ and appeared in the 2022 film ‘The Lost City’. Harrison also provided voice work for ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ and ‘Strange World’. She is known for her surreal comedic style and has broken many barriers for trans comedians.

Brigette Lundy-Paine (Jack Haven)

Brigette Lundy-Paine concluded their role as Casey Gardner in the Netflix series ‘Atypical’ in 2021, where their character explored their queer identity. They appeared in the 2020 film ‘Bill & Ted Face the Music’ as Billie Logan. Lundy-Paine is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, often discussing their identity in relation to their acting roles. They are also a member of the band Subtle Pride and remain active in the indie art scene.

Quintessa Swindell

Quintessa Swindell starred as Cyclone in the 2022 DC film ‘Black Adam’, marking their entry into the superhero genre. They also played the lead role in the 2021 series ‘In Treatment’ and appeared in the Netflix series ‘Trinkets’. Swindell is non-binary and has been vocal about the need for more diverse roles for gender-nonconforming actors. They also starred in the 2022 film ‘Master Gardener’ alongside Joel Edgerton.

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