Dane on Fate: The Winx Saga (Netflix)

[justinate]

Dane (played by Theo Graham - who Hollyoaks fans may recognize as Hunter McQueen) is on the main cast and one of the rare depictions of a bi male who is also a person of color. His character doesn't exist in the comics which inspired this series, so I guess it's a small positive step that they even created a bi male character for the show. But that's where the kudos end.

The show, like the comics, is focused on the girls so Dane is very much a second-tier character with little airtime and even lesser character development. It takes until the season finale before he says out loud that he's attracted to both sexes. Most disappointingly, for a character invented specifically for this 2020s series, he's depicted as having a crush on a guy who bullies him (Riven, played by Freddie Thorp) and eventually joins forces with him to bully an overweight girl. And of course, there's a homoerotic scene where Dane and Riven take turns doffing their shirts, getting very close to each other but without their lips ever actually touching.

The show was created with now-adult fans of the original animated series in mind, so they took a darker tone with the stories but apparently two guys actually locking lips is still off-limits? Maybe things will get better for Dane (and bi male/POC representation) if they secure a second season but given the poor reviews and fan criticism I won't hold my breath.

[dmagiclight]

I watched the first season I think it could get A second season but if the story doesn't improve I do not see A third

[mizuryuu]

I think they made the fairies way too powerful and I just don't see the point of the Specialists. They could at least give the Specialist heightened scenes or magical weapons.

For the Dane thing. Like you said, he was barely there, so I don't have much opinion on him. It really suck that they are trying to put him and his bully together as a thing.

[boz-ruh]

As much as I can remember, as a kid Riven was one of my favorite Winx characters. He was a troubled angst teen that acted destructively but was actually quite caring and protective (tho never lost his sneakiness, was still edgy and snarky) I wouldn't be surprised if he was bi. Musa (the fairy that all about emotions) was his girlfriend and she had a big role in his kinda redemption. Also his hair was burgundy I kinda wanted purple/burgundy Riven

[justinate]

Somewhat to my surprise, this show has been renewed for a second season. It'll have eight episodes (two more than season 1) and is expected to start filming later this year in Ireland. It's anyone's guess if the gay representation will improve though.

[mizuryuu]

Watched S1, and Dane was barely there and played such a trivial role that I would not watch S2 for him.

[justinate]

Still doesn't look like much of a presence for Dane, but he does share a gay kiss (in a threesome with a girl) in the trailer for season 2, which arrives on September 16.

[angelsblood13]

I think I watch it next, but only 7 episodes, not even 8, it is a pity. I liked the first Seasons. It is currently number One in Germany on Netflix.

[justinate]

Sadly their poor record of queer male representation continues. You know how bad it is when they just have a stunt double stand in as the gay love interest.

[Haru]

Fate: The Winx Saga - Cancelled by Netflix

www.spoilertv.com/2022/11/fate-winx-saga-cancelled-by-netflix.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=RSS

[angelsblood13]

I do not like the Second Season, all good stuff was not in Season 2, unfortunately only in Season 1. Not only the Gay Trio, but also the fairys, the underdogs girls, was better telled, story plots in Season 1. Season 2 was just to boring and grey and dark for my taste.

[justinate]

Since he signed up to reprise his Hollyoaks role weeks ago, Theo Graham must've known/guessed about the cancellation earlier, or maybe he was just tired of how badly his character was marginalized in season 2. I won't miss the show, which was the perpetrator of some of the most egregious queerbaiting of recent years.

[kevvoi]

The creator's plans:

tvline.com/2022/11/03/fate-the-winx-saga-cancelled-update-new-series-movie/

[overtherainbow]

This show was terrible. Riven never admitted to being bi or gay and Dane spent two seasons pining for the unobtainable straight guy.