Ace Characters on the Screen

Being able to see yourself on the screen is an important part of the journey towards representation. Asexuality is one of those identities that is making slow but steady progress towards its appearance on TV and Film. Read Part 1 of this series: Ace Erasure on the Screen to learn more about why this matters. For the effects of this list, only asexual characters which are explicitly stated to be so within the show or movie will be considered. If you're wondering why, check out Part 2 of this series: Ace Representation: Canon, Coding, and... Assigning? Problematic ace representation is not included for obvious reasons although some of the characters included have faced a certain amount criticism.

1. Protagonists

Koizenu Futari (2022)

Type: Live-action TV Mini-Series (J-drama)

Length: 8 Episodes / 30 minutes each

Characters: Kodama Sakuko and Takahashi Satoru

This Japanese series centers on Sakuko and Satoru, two aromantic asexual people who move in together. Satoru is more understanding of his identity while Sakuko is only starting to learn about it and what it means for her life. Together they face prejudice and lack of understanding from their families and acquaintances, while forming a platonic bond with each other　and becoming each others family.

As the only full-length work with asexual and aromantic characters as the protagonists, it has generated a great deal of interest.

Ace and Anxious (2017)

Type: Live-action Short Film

Length: 13 minutes

Character: Emma

Emma reads that sex reduces stress and, in an attempt to reduce her anxiety, tries to find someone suitable for the job despite being asexual. This short shows the struggles of many asexual people forcing themselves into uncomfortable situations trying to fit into allonormativity but transmits the message of how that is not the way.

Infinito Enquanto Dure (2019)

Type: Live-action Short Film

Length: 18 minutes

Character: Danny

Two guys fall in love at a party but concerns begin to arise about their compatibility and where they can go from there since one of them is asexual. A sweet love story with the common concerns of an ace-allo partnership.

2. Supporting

Bojack Horseman (2014-2020)

Type: Adult Animated TV Series

Characters: Todd Chavez / Maude and Yolanda

Appearance: Seasons 01-06

Todd Chavez realizes he is asexual at the end of Season 03 and progresses through his identity and relationships until Season 06, when the show ended. Maude and Yolanda are two characters who make and appearance and are also asexual. It has faced some criticism since there seems to be an erasure of aromantic identities when discussing asexuality. It is a rather sexually charged series, which should be considered before watching it.

Sex Education (2019-present)

Type: Live-action TV Series

Character: Florence

Appearance: Season 02

Florence appears throughout Season 02 but struggles with her asexuality and learns about it from a talk with Jean Millburn in Episode 04. On one hand, it has been celebrated for bringing up the identity in such a sexually charged show that also tries to educate about different identities and issues. The scene between those tw0 characters was really moving and hit home to many with the experience. It even distinguished between and marked the independence between sexual and romantic attraction. On the other hand, it has been criticized for being tokenistic. Florence took relevance during that episode and asexuality was explained. After that, she faded into the background. The character did not return for Season 03.

Run On (2020)

Type: Live-action TV Mini-Series (K-drama)

Character: Park Maeyi/May

Appearance: Full Series

May is the female protagonist's best friend. She is described multiple times as asexual. When she starts dating another character, her asexuality is questioned the male protagonist but she explains romance is not out of the question. Overall a sweet and funny character that balances out the leads.

Sirens (2014-2015)

Type: Live-action TV Series

Character: Valentina 'Voodoo' Dunacci

Appearance: Seasons 01-02

Valentina 'Voodoo' Dunacci is portrayed as a very chill and sure of her identity as a romantic ace character. Many issues come from the comments of the characters around her and the failing of her relationship because of her partner's obsession with her asexuality.

Shortland Street (1992-present)

Type: Live-action Soap Opera

Character: Gerald Tippett

Appearance: 2007-2010, 2012

Gerald Tippett is considered the first legitimate asexual character on mainstream TV, after a couple that are not considered a good representation. His storyline goes through a failed relationship and him thinking he has health issues that cause his lack of interest until arriving at the conclusion he is asexual, joining an asexual support group.

Emmerdale (1972-present)

Type: Live-action Soap Opera

Character: Liv Flaherty

Appearance: 2016-present

Liv's exploration of asexuality begins in 2018, when she starts to test if she truly feels that type of attraction towards anyone. Her journey includes accepting herself, sharing it with others, and, more recently, concerns over how it affects or doesn't her relationships.

Everything's Gonna Be Okay (2020-2021)

Type: Live-action TV Series

Character: Drea

Appearance: Season 01 and 02

Drea's asexuality comes up during Season 02 of the show and is explicitly stated in episode 5. It is a sweet storyline of the couple making things work and communicating openly as to what they are comfortable and uncomfortable with. However, the episode unfortunately defines asexuality as when a person doesn't want to engage in sex. Although this is true of many asexual people, the orientation is in regards to whether or not, or how regularly, someone feels sexual attraction NOT whether they want to have sex or not. While this is true for this specific ace character, not making the distinction spreads a wrong definition of asexuality.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2016-2022)

Type: Live-action TV Series

Character: Esperanza "Spooner" Cruz

Appearance: Season 06 and 07

Spooner has a very straightforward realization/coming out moment with Zari. She opens up about not feeling that way for anyone during an attempted game of 'f*ck, marry, kill', even going as far as suggesting her encounters with aliens might have messed her up. Zari is quick to intervene suggesting asexuality. Spooner's click upon hearing about the term was very well received, resonating with many ace experiences when everything made sense after researching the term for the first time. Unfortunately, the show has been cancelled and we won't get to see this evolved into a fully-fleshed storyline nor add onto her character development.

Slasher (2016-present)

Type: Live-action TV Series

Character: Amy Chao

Appearance: Solstice (Season 03)

In episode 4, Amy takes center stage and is confronted with the possibility of her asexuality by another character and researches it on her own. Her take on sexuality also causes issues with her partner, potentially leading them both to play a role in a murder from a year ago. Due to the nature of the show, Amy, like most other characters, meets a gruesome end. Keep in mind, the show and this episode are full of triggering situations so is best avoided if you are not into gore.

3. Bit

Sex Education (2019-present)

Type: Live-action TV Series

Character: Steve

Appearance: Seasons 01-03

During the protest in Episode 8 of Season 03, Steve appears holding a sign that states he might be demisexual. Hopefully this will be further explored in Season 04 although after his break-up with Aimee it has yet to be seen whether he will stay as present within the show.

Faking It (2014-2016)

Type: Live-action TV Show

Character: Brad

Appearance: Season 02 and 03

During Season 03 Episode 8, Brad yells out he is asexual while everyone is sharing their own labels.

Cobra Kai (2018-present)

Type: Live-action TV Show

Character: Unnamed high school student playing sports

Appearance: Season 04 Episode 6

Johnny is trying to get girls interested in Miguel. This girl's response to his questions about whether she finds Miguel attractive is "I'm asexual" and she just keeps on running.

Grace and Frankie (2015-2022)

Type: Live-action TV Show

Character: Unnamed lawyer

Appearance: Season 07 Episode 2

At court, Grace says what she asked was for her and Nick to redefine their relationship. Nick asks the court if anyone knows what that means to which his lawyer replies she does and another lawyer replies he's asexual.

That's it!

Hopefully as time goes on we'll continue to see a surge of representation on the screens as we continue to advocate for more diversity and inclusion of all sorts. If you have any other characters that *explicitly* state their asexuality on-screen and I missed, be sure to let me know!

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Be sure to check out Part 1: Ace Erasure on the Screen and Part 2: Ace Representation: Canon, Coding, and... Assigning?