Russell T Davies has launched a scathing critique of the bisexual representation in Marvel’s Disney Plus TV series Loki.
The It’s A Sin and Queer as Folk writer addressed the issue in a recent video panel on the state of queer representation in television.
Midway through the first season of Loki, which aired earlier this year, it was revealed that Tom Hiddleston’s character, Loki, was in fact bisexual. The scene in question saw Loki’s interdimensional counterpart Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) ask about his romantic history, saying: “You’re a prince. Must’ve been would-be princesses... or perhaps another prince?”
“A bit of both,” Loki replies. “I suspect the same as you.”
However, the rest of the season made no explicit reference to the character’s bisexuality or gender fluidity.
Speaking about the series, Davies said: “I think huge, clanging warning bells are ringing as the giants rise up with Netflix and Disney Plus especially.
“I think that’s a very great worry. Loki makes one reference to being bisexual once, and everyone’s like, ‘Oh my god, it’s like a pansexual show.’ It’s like one word.
“He said the word ‘prince,’ and we’re all meant to go, ‘Thank you, Disney! Aren’t you marvellous?’ That is pathetic. It’s a ridiculous, craven, feeble gesture towards the vital politics and the stories that should be told.”
Loki’s executive producer Kate Herron previously acknowledged that the moment was a “small step”.
“From the moment I joined @LokiOfficial it was very important to me, and my goal, to acknowledge Loki was bisexual,” Herron wrote on Twitter. “It is a part of who he is and who I am too. I know this is a small step but I’m happy, and heart is so full, to say that this is now canon in [the Marvel Cinematic Universe].”
Loki can be watched now on Disney Plus.
