The Bold and the Beautiful has come under fire following a controversial twist in its first gay male love story. What began as a landmark step toward inclusivity is now sparking debate among viewers over how the show is portraying sexuality and representation.
A Historic Romance Turns Complicated
To celebrate its 37th season, the long-running CBS soap introduced actor Harrison Cone as Deke Sharpe on September 16. Deke’s romance with Remy Forrester, played by Christian Weissmann, marked the show’s first-ever gay male relationship — a milestone praised by fans and critics alike.
However, recent episodes hint that Deke may be developing unexpected feelings for Electra, Remy’s former love interest. Spoilers suggest that Deke and Electra have been bonding over work and shared personal struggles, leading to speculation that their connection could evolve into something more.
Fan Reactions: “It Feels Like the Writers Are Moving Too Fast”
The new direction has divided fans. Many took to social media to voice concerns that the storyline undermines the show’s long-awaited representation of gay men on daytime television.
One viewer wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I’m confused by Deke’s sexual orientation as depicted in the show. People who identify as bi or pan don’t typically move from living with one partner to immediately connecting with someone else – it feels like the writers are moving way too fast.”
Another fan added, “I’ll be annoyed if they break Remy and Deke up permanently. They made a big deal about the show’s first gay couple — they can’t just toss them aside this quickly.”
Others pointed out inconsistencies, noting that Deke explicitly came out as gay in an emotional scene with his father, Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan). “Deke literally came out as gay in a scene with his dad,” one viewer argued. “Not once has he referred to himself as bi. This is just fan speculation because viewers think he has chemistry with Electra.”
Concerns About Representation
Critics of the twist argue that using bisexuality as a dramatic plot device risks trivializing authentic LGBTQ+ representation. They fear that the storyline may reinforce outdated tropes about “changing” sexuality for the sake of soap opera drama, rather than exploring fluidity with nuance and care.
Some fans have also drawn comparisons to The Bold and the Beautiful’s groundbreaking Maya Avant storyline in 2015, which featured Karla Mosley as the first transgender regular character to marry on American daytime TV. Many see the current plot as a step backward from that progressive milestone.
What’s Next for Remy and Deke?
As speculation grows, the fate of Remy and Deke’s relationship remains uncertain. While some fans hope the show will reaffirm Deke’s identity and strengthen the couple’s bond, others brace for another dramatic breakup that could alter the show’s legacy of representation.
New episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful air weekdays on CBS and stream weeknights on Paramount+.