September’s streaming lineup is bringing axes, animation, camp classics, and plenty of horror to carry us into spooky season.
The month’s biggest queer release is undoubtedly Netflix’s Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, which reimagines the infamous accused killer’s life through a story of repression, desire and female rage. Elsewhere, queer favorites Sarah Paulson, Stephanie Hsu and Poppy Liu return to our screens, American Horror Story begins another terrifying chapter, and so much more.
Here are the new and returning titles Gayety readers should have on their radar this September.
Netflix
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story
Lizzie Borden is ready to take her swing.
Ella Beatty stars as the woman accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe in 1892. The new season of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s true crime anthology explores the relationship between a repressed Lizzie and the family’s rebellious maid, Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, played by Vicky Krieps.
According to Netflix, the two women escape their oppressive home through “a fantasy of sex, power and revenge” before a pair of gruesome murders transforms Lizzie into an American legend.
The stacked cast also includes Rebecca Hall, Charlie Hunnam, Billie Lourd and Jessica Barden.
DANG!
Stephanie Hsu and Poppy Liu are lending their voices to a dysfunctional animated family in Netflix’s new adult comedy.
The series follows underachieving siblings Andrew and Eunice, whose accomplished older sister, Ruthie, unexpectedly moves in with them after her seemingly perfect life falls apart. While Andrew and Eunice attempt to help Ruthie embrace being a mess, she tries to teach them how to be adults.
Hsu, Liu, Andrew Law and Noël Wells lead the voice cast. Come for the queer talent and stay for the reminder that nobody actually has their life together.
Queer Favorites and Cult Classics
Beginning Sept. 1
Netflix is also adding several older favorites with lasting queer appeal.
Cruel Intentions brings Sarah Michelle Gellar’s deliciously manipulative Kathryn Merteuil and the movie’s infamous kiss back to streaming Sept. 1. Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley returns the same day in Alien and Aliens, two genre classics with enduring queer and feminist legacies.
All three seasons of Party Down join Netflix on Sept. 22. The cult workplace comedy features a beloved ensemble that includes queer stars Jane Lynch and Megan Mullally, along with Jennifer Coolidge, Adam Scott and Ken Marino.
Also arriving throughout the month are Ready or Not, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Unfriended, Smile 2, Prom Night and Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Season 2.
ABC, Disney+ and Hulu
Dancing With the Stars Season 35
Sept. 15 on ABC and Disney+, next day on Hulu
The ballroom is about to get much gayer.
Bisexual reality star Sarah Jane Nader is competing alongside professional dancer Hailey Bills, forming the franchise’s second all-female partnership and only its third same-sex celebrity-pro pairing.
Bisexual Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn is also joining the cast. Glenn made history in 2022 as the first openly queer woman to win the U.S. women’s figure skating championship.
Other competitors include Harry Shum Jr., Julia Stiles, Jenna Dewan, Tatyana Ali, Ciara Miller and Giada De Laurentiis.
Wicked
Sept. 21 on Hulu
If you are still holding space for the lyrics of “Defying Gravity,” Hulu has you covered.
The blockbuster musical starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey arrives on the platform Sept. 21. The story follows the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda before they become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
American Horror Story: 13
Ryan Murphy’s long-running horror anthology returns just in time to ruin everyone’s sleep schedule.
Details about the new story remain limited, but American Horror Story has spent more than a decade mixing camp, carnage and queer characters into some of television’s wildest seasons. The 13th installment kicks off with a three-episode premiere, making it an easy pre-Halloween binge.
NBC and Peacock
The Traitors: New Blood
Sept. 17 on NBC, Sept. 18 on Peacock
Alan Cumming is opening the doors to his castle once again, but this time, the reality stars are staying home.
The Traitors: New Blood introduces 22 everyday Americans competing in a game of strategy, deception and dramatic roundtables. Hidden among the Faithful are a group of Traitors who secretly “murder” their competitors while attempting to avoid banishment.
The contestants, whose professions range from astrophysicist to funeral director, will compete for a prize worth up to $250,000. Cumming returns as host and executive producer, complete with the extravagant wardrobe that has made him one of reality television’s most fabulous figures.
The Paper Season 2
The staff of the Toledo Truth Teller is reporting for another season.
The Office spinoff follows a struggling Midwestern newspaper and the volunteer reporters attempting to keep it alive. Season 2 picks up after the team’s big night at the Ohio Journalism Awards as they search for their next major story.
Oscar Nuñez returns as Oscar Martinez, the openly gay accountant introduced on The Office. The cast also includes Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Alex Edelman and Ramona Young.
Whether you are looking for queer reality stars, forbidden desire, female rage or unapologetic camp, September has plenty worth adding to your watchlist.
