Rebelde: repping the queers everywhere

If you’re into telenovelas, then chances are you know about Rebelde. An infamously popular Mexican show, Netflix recently negotiated the rights and released a “next generation” kind of version of the show. The first season is available to watch on Netflix right now and comprises eight episodes.

The original Mexican Rebelde was an incredibly popular show, so all eyes were on Netflix as it took over the storytelling ropes. You can read about our initial feelings about the Netflix release here, but mostly we were relatively happy with what Netflix did with this world. 

The original Rebelde was full of white-presenting characters and actors and really lacked diversity. The Netflix version addressed this issue head-on. The new Rebelde not only included in its cast Spanish trans actress Karla Sofía Gascón (Lourdes the school prefect), but it’s also full of queer characters, and honestly, that’s what kept us so fully engaged. Let us introduce you to all the major queer characters in Netflix’s new adaptation of Rebelde. 

Andi

Andi (Lizeth Selene) is the resident lesbian character. She’s not only gorgeous and talented (a girl who plays drums? Ultimate crush!), but also strong, determined, and very charismatic in that sarcastic way of hers. We’re gonna be honest, watching her gay panic when talking to her crush was perhaps our favorite scene of the entire season.

Luka

Luka (Franco Masini) is the main gay male character on the show and we love everything about this dude. An obscene, complete douchebag 98% of the time, the kid is walking around with some acute daddy issues. Because of this, we forgive the assholery. He just needs a hug and some friends, okay? 

Jokes aside, what we love about this character, in particular, is that his sexuality isn’t the most interesting part about him and his entire story arc has nothing to do with it. In fact, we didn’t see him interact romantically with anyone this season at all. 

It’s no secret that television seems to have a penchant for over-sexualizing male queer characters and their relationships, so the fact that Luka exists in this queer space without this being the driving force for his story was a breath of fresh air. 

Emilia

Emilia (Giovanna Grigio) is the bisexual representation we have been screaming for. Not only does she have a beautiful voice (and accent, she’s Brazilian *heart eyes*), but watching her journey as she explores her feelings for Andi is comforting, relatable, empowering in many ways, and honestly just made us swoon. 

A lot of young queer people go through what Emilia goes through this season when exploring their sexualities – surprise, shame, confusion, fear – so watching her find the courage to tell the entire school her true feelings for Andi was so beautiful. We may have come just a teensy weensy bit emotionally unstuck 🤏.

Dixon

Listen, some will say Dixon ( Jerónimo Cantillo) isn’t queer, but we beg to differ. He never labels himself as anything, and he clearly has a huge crush on MJ (who doesn’t? Honestly). However, he does tell Esteban (Sergio Mayer Mori) that “even he swings that way a bit [as bisexual]” when questioning him (Esteban) about his obsession with Luka, and for us, that’s as good as a confession goes.

We tuned in because we were already fans of the Mexican version of Rebelde but we stayed for all the queer content. Hats off to Netflix for giving this one to the gays!

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Rebelde is streaming exclusively on Netflix. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for all queer stuff!