ELISE and ERYKA - The Tunnel S2 - Lesbian Interest UK TV Series

Elise and Eryka

The UK TV crime series The Tunnel has a lesbian interest storyline between Elise and Eryka that spans the entire 8 episodes of Season 2. Elise, a commander with the French police begins working with Karl from the English police to investigate a missing persons incident in the Eurotunnel. Their investigations lead them to Eryka, a research assistant for a high profile human rights activist who is killed in a plane crash.

Elise who is socially challenged being on the autism spectrum finds it hard to form relationships with people. She has a photographic memory and a penchant for the truth. She is also driven to find those responsible for the two cases she is working on and will leave no stone unturned to get there.

Clémence Poésy as Elise Wassermann

Eryka is much more of a closed book having grown up in a cult based settlement in Chile. Of German extraction she is cultured, can speak most European languages and reads novels in Russian. She also has a connection with Elise in that she too has lost a twin at an early age.

Eryka: I just feel that there is some kind of connection maybe because we both ...
Elise: No I felt that too.

Laura de Boer as Eryka Klein

In the course of the investigation Elise and Eryka discover that their unresolved grief relating to the death of their twin is eased by talking about it with each other. They form a deep connection despite Elise's conflict about her feelings for Eryka and that Eryka is under suspicion for terrorist activities.

Erkya: I never had the chance to talk about my brother. And I think it is the same with you and your sister. But I don't want to cause you any problems so if you change your mind your mind about our friendship call me.

 

If you change your mind about our friendship give me a call

Elise grapples with her emotions as she has not experienced being in love before and its destabilizing effects. 

Elise: I have never been in love before.
Eryka: You should try it. It's nice.
Elise: No I hate it. It's like a virus.

Elise tells Eryka that her feelings are not particularly physical but Eryka challenges her with "are you quite sure about that?" They share their first kiss at this point in episode

Elise and Eryka Share Their First Kiss

Elise's colleague and close friend Karl remains suspicious of Eryka. He quickly recognizes that the pair are sleeping together and challenges Elise on her ability to remain impartial in the investigation. Her response is to increase her efforts doublefold to reassure him that her ability to do her job has not been compromised.

Pablo Neruda Poem (Everday You Play) Excerpt as Quoted in the Last Episode
A long time I have loved the sunned mother-of-pearl of your body.
Until I even believe that you own the universe.
I will bring you happy flowers from the mountains, bluebells,
dark hazels, and rustic baskets of kisses.
I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.

When Elise discovers that Eryka is involved she still pursues the relationship with Eryka leading her to say to Karl "I don't know who I am anymore". Karl normalizes her feelings by telling her that she is in love and that love has us do crazy things.

The Elise and Eryka love story is intense. Both actresses give convincing performances and the overall quality of the series makes for an enjoyable watch.

To find out more about the The Tunnel (2013-2018) TV series on IMDb

Starring: Clémence Poésy as Elise Wassermann and Laura de Boer as Eryka Klein

TV Series: The Tunnel, Season 2

Country of Origin: UK

Genre: TV Show / Drama

Language: English and French

Subtitles: English and Spanish

Runtime: 30:00 minute clips

Where to Watch the Series: Amazon Prime

Related Links
The Tunnel TV series on Wikipedia
Other Featured TV series of Lesbian Interest

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WENDY and JACK - Lesbian Interest Storyline from Australian TV Show Rake (2016)

Wendy and Jack TV Couple Storyline

There was a short lesbian interest storyline in Rake (2010-2018), an Australian TV series about Wendy, a psychiatrist and long suffering ex-wife of Cleaver who reunites with Jack her old girlfriend from university days. Cleaver who is threatened, spies on them and tries to intervene. Jack who is a high-flying political consultant makes a deal with Cleaver that she will support his campaign for a seat in Senate if he backs off.

Powerful dialogue and acting make the scenes from this LGBTQ+ storyline an absorbing watch.

Read more about Rake (Wendy and Jack) on IMDb

Caroline Brazier - as Wendy Greene

Tasma Walton - as Jack Claymore

Richard Roxburgh - as Cleaver

Country of Origin: Australia

Genre: Drama

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Portuguese

Runtime: Multiple short clips in a Wendy and Jack video playlist on YouTube

Release Date: 2016

Director: Rowan Woods

Creators: Richard Roxburgh and Peter Duncan

Other Links
Rake (2010) on Wikipedia
Other Featured TV Series of Lesbian Interest

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ZARA and EVE from IT'S A DATE (2013) - Australian Lesbian TV Couple

Zara and Eve are two LGBTQ characters from the lesbian interest storyline from Season 1 of the Australian romantic comedy / dramedy TV series It's a Date, (IMDb 7.4) that first aired in 2013. In an episode entitled Do Opposites Attract? Zara and Eve meet on a blind date and discover very quickly that they are poles apart in terms of their values and beliefs and therefore struggle to find common ground.

The happy-go-lucky Zara (Kate Ritchie) is the perfect foil for the more serious, politically minded and intense Eve (Nadine Garner). Both actresses give compelling performances in their respective roles. You can't but cheer them on to sort it out when you see that they are just not getting each other. 

Eve: "I hope you don't mind me ordering but one of us had to make a decision."

There are plenty of funny moments when confusion and miscommunication abound for this couple. Right off the bat Zara introduces herself as Zara like the Spanish chain store only to receive a blank stare from Eve because she has never heard of it. Only a few minutes later Zara believing Eve is a barrister asks if she has been in court that day only to find that Eve is in fact a barista.

When the subject of ex-girlfriends comes up Zara makes light of dying of boredom in Hobart while Eve is trying to tell her about one of scariest moments of her life when her ex almost died because of a peanut allergy.

Barrister or Barista Confusion

Then there is the subject of out or not out. As an out and proud lesbian herself Eve is surprised to learn that Zara is not out to her family and challenges her about living a lie. Zara counters with I'm out to the people I want to be out to. 

"You're Not Out" Nadine Garner as Eve challenges Zara

The blind date appears to be well and truly unravelling when Zara and Eve disagree on the subject of marriage. Eve is pro gay marriage and is happy about the move around the world towards greater inclusivity and equality. Zara, on the other hand, has never had a relationship longer than one month and points out that 50 percent of marriages in Australia end in divorce. Zara states that she can't see "what all the fuss is about" when it comes to marriage and that marriage is not on her radar. Don't miss the Gwen Stefani reference who designed the #loveislove LGBT merchandising about that time.

At this point each of our characters thinks they have the other pegged. Eve has a crack at Zara about consumerism while Zara counters with the statement "you're a parody" and goes on to identify the 5 speed bicycle, food co-op and no TV set as stereotypical.   

Just as each are ready to kill their matchmaker for setting them up in the first place the scales tip. Eve reveals that she would like to be a contestant on The Voice, a singing competition but does not have the confidence to go through with it. Next thing they are in the "girls dunnies"and Eve is singing her heart out to sterling rendition of Burn For You.

Eve kisses Zara in the bathroom of It's a Date (2013) 

Like all good stories the characters are changed by the encounter they have had with each other. Zara has moved to a greater comfort level around telling her family about being gay while Eve has grown the confidence to sing in public. While the couple don't have the traditional happy ending that romcoms deliver both walk away from the experience with mutual respect and empathy. And the acknowledgment that each of them is great in her own special way.

Zara: "You surprised me."
Eve: "I surprised me too."

As with all good stories our characters must develop and change because of their experiences and that is the case here where by the end we see Zara makes a shift toward greater  in comfort level herself about the issue.

Zara: "You're great."
Eve: "You're great too."

The Zara and Eve story is funny, quirky and moving all at the same time. All Zara and Eve scenes are available to watch in one video on the Lesbians Watch YouTube channel


Read more about It's a Date TV series on IMDb

Kate Ritchie as Zara

Nadine Garner as Eve

Country of Origin: Australia

Genre: Drama / Romance / Comedy

Language: English

Subtitles: English

Runtime: 12 minutes video

Release Date: 2013

Director: Jonathan Brough

Creator: Peter Helliar, Kate Langbroek

Other Links

It's a Date TV Series on Wikipedia
Other TV Shows of Lesbian Interest / LGBTQ Interest 

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LAYLA and JACKIE from KICK (2007) - Australian Lesbian Interest TV Couple

The love story between Layla and Jackie is a lesbian interest storyline running through the Australian romantic comedy / dramedy TV series Kick, (IMDb 6.6) that originally aired in 2007. Layla and Jackie are instantly attracted to each other after meeting at the university fencing club and it doesn't take long before they become fencing partners and start going out for coffee.

Layla has never had a girlfriend before but knows that her family would not approve of her dating a woman. She tries to keep her world separate and does not tell Jackie about the familial pressure she is under to meet Middle Eastern cultural expectations including getting engaged. Instead she tries to compartmentalize her life however the cracks show up early on when Jackie who describes herself as "forward" turns up unexpectedly to the karaoke party in Layla's street.

Layla and Jackie are more than fencing Partners in Kick (2007)

As Layla and Jackie become closer Layla is conflicted between wanting to pursue the relationship with Jackie and not disappointing her family. It becomes increasingly difficult for Layla to keep certain aspects of her life secret and eventually Jackie learns the truth about the plans that Layla's family have for Layla.

At this point Jackie tries to force the issue by demanding that Layla be true to herself and her family about her sexuality. Layla must then decide what she wants most: to keep her family happy or to continue dating Jackie.

Layla and Jackie  make eyes at each other when Layla says "she's interested"

Romi Trower as Jackie in Australian TV show Kick 2007

Nicole Chaumoun as Layla in Kick (2007)

The themes explored in the Layla and Jackie storyline are not new but their love story is dealt with more than enough sensitivity and humor to make it refreshing. Full marks to the writers who show Layla and Jackie navigating their dilemma in such a way that they reach a resolution that results in a happy ending for our characters, something that is uncommon in many lesbian interest story arcs. 

 

Layla and Jackie room mates on the fencing intensive in Kick (2007)

Layla and Jackie making eyes at each other in the TV show Kick (2007)

The Layla and Jackie love story can be watched from the very beginning on the #lesbianswatch YouTube channel.

Read more about Kick TV series on IMDb

Nicole Chamoun as Layla

Romi Trower as Jackie

Country of Origin: Australia

Genre: Drama / Romance / Comedy

Language: English

Subtitles: English

Runtime: 23 minute playlist in 3 parts edited version

Release Date: 2007

Director: Esben Storm

Creator: Esben Storm, Adam Bowen

Layla and Jackie say goodnight in Kick 2007

Layla and Jackie talk domestic bliss in Kick 2007

Layla and Jackie share a rare moment alone to be intimate with each other

Other Links

Kick TV Series on Wikipedia
Other TV Shows of Lesbian Interest / LGBTQ Interest

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MIRANDA AND CHLOE (2003) - Australian Lesbian TV Couple (Secret Life of Us)

The love story between Miranda and Chloe is one of the main storylines in Season 3 of The Secret Life of Us, (IMDb 7.6), an Australian twenty-something drama series that originally aired from 2001 - 2006. The relationship between Miranda and Chloe is a slow burn; initially there is nothing more than friendship as a relationship with Chloe is not on Miranda's radar having dated men exclusively in the past. However, pretty soon though Miranda and Chloe are spending a lot of time together outside of work: hanging out, having dinners, going to clubs and going on shopping trips.

By the end of episode 4 Miranda realizes that she is crushing on Chloe but for the time being it seems is hampered by her own inhibitions about being with a woman. Fortunately Miranda embraces her feelings and falls into Chloe's arms. Both women eventually declare their love for each other and its not too long before they move in together.

Miranda and Chloe's love story is dealt with both sensitivity and intelligence by the writers of this lesbian interest TV show. Most of the usual annoying tropes that dog LGBTQ+ story arcs are few and far between making this lesbian storyline an enjoyable watch.

The Miranda and Chloe love story is available to watch from the very beginning on the #lesbianswatch YouTube channel.

Read more about The Secret Life of Us TV series on IMDb

Abi Tucker - as Miranda

Nina Liu - as Chloe

Country of Origin: Australia

Genre: Drama / Romance / Relationships

Language: English

Subtitles: English

Runtime: 90 minute playlist

Release Date: 2003

Director: Cate Shortland, Kate Dennis, Ana Kokkinos, Daniel Nettheim

Creator: Judi McCrossin

Other Links

Secret Life of Us on Wikipedia
Other TV Shows of Lesbian Interest / LGBTQ Interest

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KATE and ERICA - UK TV Lesbian Couple from Dates (2013)

Erica is a lesbian character from the UK TV series Dates who goes to meet Kate in a bar for a first date. Although very attracted to Erica, Kate struggles to get past the fact that Erica dates men to keep her traditional Chinese family happy. The couple spend the night together and in the morning they are challenged to navigate where their relationship is heading given that Erica is not out.

Read more about Dates (Erica and Kate) on IMDb

Gemma Chan - as Erica

Katie McGrath - as Kate

Country of Origin: UK

Genre: Drama

Language: English

Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese and Italian

Runtime: 5.44 minute clip

Release Date: 2013

Director: Philippa Langdale

Screenplay: Jamie Chan, Bryan Elsley (creator)


Watch more of Erica on another date when she comes out as a lesbian


Related Links
Erica and Kate (2013) on Wikipedia
Erica from Dates (2013) - Lesbian Character from UK TV Show

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