Simone Russell: Difference between revisions

| portrayer = Lena Cardwell<br />(1999–2001)<br />[[Chrystee Pharris]]<br />(2001–2004)<br />[[Cathy Jenéen Doe]]<br />(2004–2007)

| image = File:CathyJenéenDoePinkTop.jpg

| parentsfamily = [[TCRussell Russell]]<br>[[Evefamily (Passions)|Russell]]

| siblingsparents = [[WhitneyTC Russell]]<br />[[VincentEve ClarksonRussell]]

| grandparents = Reggie Russell (deceased)<br /> Warren Johnson (deceased)<br /> Ruby Lincoln (deceased)

| nieces/nephews = [[Crane family (Passions)|Miles Harris-Crane]]<br />UnnamedDiana Harris-Crane<br />UnnamedJJ nephewCrane

| relatives = Eve Johnson (great-grandmother; deceased)<br />[[Irma Johnson]] (great-aunt)

'''Simone Russell''' is a [[fictional character]] on the American [[soap opera]] ''[[Passions]]'', which aired on [[NBC]] from 1999 to 2007 and on [[DirecTV]] in 2007–08. A member of ''Passions''{{'}} [[Russell family (Passions)|Russell family]], Simone is introduced as the youngest daughter of [[Eve Russell]] and [[T. C. Russell]], and the younger sister of [[Whitney Russell]]. Her early appearances center on her [[love triangle]] with [[Chad Harris-Crane]] and her sister Whitney; the character later gains more prominence on the show through her experience coming out as a [[lesbian]] to her family, and her relationship with [[Rae Thomas]]. The network defended the show's treatment of Simone's sexuality as a serious commentary on the topic.

Simone's storyline made daytime television history when ''Passions'' became the first soap opera to show two women having sex. The character was also daytime television's first African-American lesbian. At the [[17th GLAAD Media Awards]], the show won [[GLAAD Media Award#Categories|Outstanding Daily Drama]], forand itsDoe portrayalaccepted ofthe Simoneaward on the show's sexual orientationbehalf. The show's representation of [[LGBTLGBTQ|lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender]] (LGBT) topics, and Doe's performance as Simone, received a mixed response from critics; Doeshe was the principal actress during the storylines focusing on the character's sexuality.

[[Sheraton Kalouria]], senior vice president of [[NBC]]'s daytime programming,<ref name="Kalouria12">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2000/scene/news/nbc-days-abc-s-kalouria-1117781385/|title=NBC's days ABC's Kalouria|last=Bernstein|first=Paula|date=May 9, 2000|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131182310/http://variety.com/2000/scene/news/nbc-days-abc-s-kalouria-1117781385/|archivedatearchive-date=January 31, 2016}}</ref> described the show's [[color-blind casting]] as part of an effort to build a diverse pool of characters that best reflected the various ethnic and racial groups living in the United States. Kalouria believed the show stood apart from other soap operas by including the African-American [[Russell family (Passions)|Russell]] family and the Hispanic [[Lopez-Fitzgerald family|Lopez-Fitzgerald]] family.<ref name="Background1">{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H74DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dqq=liz+sanbourne+passions+casting&sourcepg=bl&ots=kQw2SvsX0M&sig=6A_4zjJje4v2q6DaH-k1BZgU-E8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_sf_x3q7KAhVC5iYKHY8rBH84ChDoAQgqMAM#v=onepage&q=liz%20sanbourne%20passions%20casting&f=falsePA38 |title=Soap Opera ‘Passions’'Passions' Keeps Igniting Fervor Among Daytime Viewers |date=January 13, 2003 |work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |publisher=[[Johnson Publishing Company]] |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131182427/https://books.google.com/books?id=H74DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=liz%20sanbourne2Bsanbourne%20passions2Bpassions%20casting2Bcasting&source=bl&ots=kQw2SvsX0M&sig=6A_4zjJje4v2q6DaH-k1BZgU-E8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_sf_x3q7KAhVC5iYKHY8rBH84ChDoAQgqMAM |archivedatearchive-date=January 31, 2016 |deadurl=yes |dfurl-status=dead }}</ref>

<nowiki/>Over the course of the show, Simone was played by three actresses: Lena Cardwell (July 5, 1999 to April 16, 2001), [[Chrystee Pharris]] (April 17, 2001 to April 2004), and [[Cathy Jenéen Doe]] (July 23, 2004 to September 4, 2007).<ref name="CastPeople">{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/ps/whoswho/simone.php|title=Who's Who in Harmony|publisher=[[Soapcentral]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915034834/http://soapcentral.com/ps/whoswho/simone.php|archivedatearchive-date=September 15, 2016}}</ref> After watching Cardwell's audition for the role, producers Reilly and [[Lisa de Cazotte]] considered Cardwell the ideal choice for Simone.<ref name="Perfect">{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/ps/theactors/cardwell.php|title=About the Actors of PS|publisher=[[Soapcentral]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915034510/http://soapcentral.com/ps/theactors/cardwell.php|archivedatearchive-date=September 15, 2016}}</ref> NBC fired Cardwell in the winter of 2001, in a move described as "abrupt" in an article from [[Soapcentral]].<ref name="ByeByeCardwellSimone">{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/ps/theactors/cardwell.php |title=Lena Cardwell |publisher=[[Soapcentral]] |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.istoday/20161226222620/http://soapcentral.com/ps/theactors/cardwell.php |archivedatearchive-date=December 26, 2016 |deadurl=yes |dfurl-status=dead }}</ref> Cast members expressed disappointment at Cardwell's departure and the character's re-casting. [[Tracey Ross]], who portrays [[Eve Russell]], described Cardwell as being "very sincere, completely authentic and without malice" in her performance. [[Rodney Van Johnson]], who plays [[T. C. Russell]], viewed himself as "a father figure to her" and felt that their close relationship helped make the Russell family more authentic and relatable to viewers.<ref name="Cardwell">{{cite news|title=Russell Up|last=Latusek|first=Lori|date=2001|publisher=[[American Media, Inc.]]|work=[[Soap Opera Digest]]}}</ref> After leaving the show, Cardwell said she received a great deal of [[fan mail]] and that the experience "made [her] feel loved and appreciated."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lenacardwell2001.webs.com/biography.htm|title=Biography|publisher=Lena Cardwell's Official Website|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224234243/http://lenacardwell2001.webs.com/biography.htm|archivedatearchive-date=February 24, 2016}}</ref>

Pharris assumed the role in 2001,<ref name="CastPeople" /> but later decided to not renew her contract in order to pursue other projects.<ref name="Pharris3">{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=20040123&id=j4BaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jUkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3540,2383876&hl=en |title=Another Simone bites the dust in 'Passions' |last=Havens |first=Candace |date=January 23, 2004 |work=[[The Bryan Times]] |publisher=Christopher Cullis |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.istoday/20161226222713/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=20040123&id=j4BaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jUkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3540,2383876&hl=en |archivedatearchive-date=December 26, 2016 |deadurl=yes |dfurl-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ByePharrisAway">{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/ps/news/2003/1215-pharris.php |title=Pharris-Larkins out as Passions' Simone |last=Kross |first=Dan J. |date=December 14, 2003 |publisher=[[Soapcentral]] |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.istoday/20161226222927/http://soapcentral.com/ps/news/2003/1215-pharris.php |archivedatearchive-date=December 26, 2016 |deadurl=yes |dfurl-status=dead }}</ref> During an interview with ''[[The Christian Post]]'', she said that her time on ''Passions'' helped her to realize that her occupation as an actress could be used as a platform to advocate for Christianity.<ref name="ChristianPharris">{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/soap-opera-actress-chrystee-pharris-turns-career-into-ministry-recalls-praying-for-wiccan-on-set-exclusive-139647/|title=Soap Opera Actress Chrystee Pharris Turns Career Into Ministry; Recalls Praying for Wiccan On Set|last=Thomasos|first=Christine|date=May 27, 2015|work=[[The Christian Post]]|publisher=[[Richard Land]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226222853/http://www.christianpost.com/news/soap-opera-actress-chrystee-pharris-turns-career-into-ministry-recalls-praying-for-wiccan-on-set-exclusive-139647/|archivedatearchive-date=December 26, 2016}}</ref> Doe was hired for the third and final re-casting after moving to Los Angeles from New York, where she was primarily offered the role of "a runaway teenager, a prostitute, a drug dealer". Initially hesitant to assume a character already established by other actors, she became friendly with Pharris, who answered all of her questions about the character.<ref name="Doe1">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/features/passions/interviews/cjdoe/|title=Meet Passions Newcomer Cathy Jeneén Doe (Simone)|publisher=[[American Media, Inc.]]|work=[[Soap Opera Digest]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818225112/http://www.soapoperadigest.com/features/passions/interviews/cjdoe/|archivedatearchive-date=August 18, 2007}}</ref>

Simone was initially characterized by the show's official website through her "major crush on street-kid Chad Harris since he came to town".<ref name="Actors1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc.com/passions/background/pgv_passions_background.html|title=Show Background|publisher=[[NBC]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815053900/http://www.nbc.com/passions/|archivedatearchive-date=August 15, 2000}}</ref> Daniel R. Coleridge of ''[[TV Guide]]'' described Simone's early behavior as "bitchy to her older sister, who was nothing but kind to her",<ref name="TVGuide">{{cite web|url=http://www.sovo.com/2006/7-7/arts/feature/soap.cfm|title=All my gay children|last=Hudson|first=Zack|date=July 7, 2006|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|work=[[TV Guide]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103201356/http://www.sovo.com/2006/7-7/arts/feature/soap.cfm|archivedatearchive-date=January 3, 2008}}</ref> while [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']]'s Josef referred to the character as a "daredevil teen."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1999/tv/news/passions-goes-to-paris-adds-juliet-mills-to-cast-1117500106/|title='Passions' goes to Paris, adds Juliet Mills to cast|last=Adalian|first=Josef|date=May 6, 1999|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|language=en-US|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423210809/http://variety.com/1999/tv/news/passions-goes-to-paris-adds-juliet-mills-to-cast-1117500106/|archivedatearchive-date=April 23, 2016}}</ref> When assuming the role in 2001, Pharris said that her preparation consisted of consulting with her friends about Simone, Whitney, and Chad, and incorporating her own life experiences into her interpretation of the character.<ref name="Pharris1">{{cite web|url=http://www.chrysteepharris.com/home/www-juniorscave-com-interview/ |title=Chrystee Pharris |publisher=Juniorscave.com |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.istoday/20161226223103/http://www.chrysteepharris.com/home/www-juniorscave-com-interview/ |archivedatearchive-date=December 26, 2016 |deadurl=yes |dfurl-status=dead }}</ref> She commented that working closely with the producers allowed her to draw on her family background for her performance. While discussing the connection to her family, she stated that she used her father's temper as inspiration for playing Simone.<ref name="Pharris2">{{cite web|url=http://thesoapspiel.blogspot.com/2013/05/interview-with-beautful-ex-passions.html|title=Interview with the beautiful ex-Passions star Chrystee Pharris!!|date=May 15, 2013|publisher=The Soap Spiel|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224214248/http://thesoapspiel.blogspot.com/2013/05/interview-with-beautful-ex-passions.html|archivedatearchive-date=February 24, 2016}}</ref>

Simone was initially portrayed as one of the series' supporting characters, but gained more prominence during a storyline in which she [[Coming out|comes out]] as a lesbian. Kalouria defended the show's treatment of the character's sexuality as a serious commentary on the topic. During an interview about the storyline, he highlighted "sexual identity isn't a passing fancy" and "this is where [Simone] is...I can assure you we're not going to make light of this particular topic."<ref name="AfterEllen">{{cite web|url=http://www.afterellen.com/tv/4409-passions-goes-boldly-and-badly-where-no-soap-has-gone-before|title="Passions" Goes Boldly, and Badly, Where No Soap Has Gone Before|date=September 22, 2005|publisher=[[AfterEllen.com and TheBacklot.com|AfterEllen.com]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224211408/http://www.afterellen.com/tv/4409-passions-goes-boldly-and-badly-where-no-soap-has-gone-before|archivedatearchive-date=February 24, 2016}}</ref> During the story arc involving her girlfriend [[Rae Thomas]], Simone was noted for her naivety when approaching relationships and sex.<ref name="Naive">{{cite web|url=http://soaps.sheknows.com/passions/news/1433/passions-where-are-they-now-jossara-jinero/|title=Passions: Where Are They Now? Jossara Jinero|date=January 17, 2008|publisher=[[Soaps.com]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226223049/http://soaps.sheknows.com/passions/news/1433/passions-where-are-they-now-jossara-jinero/|archivedatearchive-date=December 26, 2016}}</ref> Simone's sexuality is initially regarded as "a badge of shame" by the series' characters.<ref name="AfterEllen" />

Introduced in the series premiere on July 5, 1999, Simone Russell is the youngest daughter of T. C. and Eve Russell, and the younger sister of Whitney Russell. The family lives in the fictional town of Harmony. Simone's early storylines concentrate on her reluctant participation in her friend [[Kay Bennett]]'s schemes to separate [[Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald]] from [[Charity Standish]], and her attraction to Chad-Harris Crane. Chad and Whitney hide their relationship from Simone to the point where Chad pretends to be Simone's boyfriend to keep her happy. After catching Chad and Whitney having sex, she ends the relationship with him and tells everyone in Harmony about his relationship with her sister. Disconnected from her sister, Simone becomes close friends with Kay's younger sister [[Jessica Bennett (Passions)|Jessica Bennett]] and Miguel's younger sister [[Paloma Lopez-Fitzgerald]], and turns to them for support. Simone acts primarily in a supporting role for these two characters' storylines, for instance advising Jessica to divorce her abusive husband [[Spike Lester]] and seek professional help for her drug addiction. She briefly dates John Hastings, the son of [[David Hastings (Passions)|David Hastings]]. At the time, John was mistakenly believed to be [[Grace Standish]]'s son and the half-brother of Kay and Jessica. Simone's relationship with John ends in 2004 when he moves to Italy with David and Grace.

Simone's storyline about coming out as a lesbian received mixed feedback. She was identified as "a character who broke down some barriers for the depiction of lesbians on daytime TV and earned the show awards and accolades from civil rights groups" by a writer from [[List of soap opera media outlets|Soaps.com]].<ref name="Remember">{{cite web|url=http://soaps.sheknows.com/passions/news/1226/whatever-happened-tothe-simones|title=Whatever Happened to...the Simones|date=October 15, 2007|publisher=[[Soaps.com]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215090238/http://soaps.sheknows.com/passions/news/1226/whatever-happened-tothe-simones|archivedatearchive-date=February 15, 2016}}</ref> ''[[The Atlantic]]''{{'}}s Aaron Foley saw the show's inclusion of a black, lesbian character as a sign of "America bec[oming] more comfortable with seeing blacks on screen" and viewers "bec[oming] more comfortable with risky, sometimes hilarious storylines".<ref name="First">{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/03/soap-operas-the-forgotten-birthplace-of-complex-black-characters-on-tv/388907/|title=The Unsung Legacy of Black Characters on Soap Operas|date=March 31, 2000|publisher=[[Atlantic Media]]|work=[[The Atlantic]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216051735/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/03/soap-operas-the-forgotten-birthplace-of-complex-black-characters-on-tv/388907/|archivedatearchive-date=February 16, 2016}}</ref> Damon Romine, media entertainment director of [[GLAAD]] (2005–2009), emphasized the show's ability to normalize [[LGBTLGBTQ|lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender]] (LGBT) topics for a wider audience, and opined that the introduction of gay characters made soap operas worth watching.<ref name="TVGuide" /> Simone's homosexuality was described as "the most real and moving story on the show" by Soapcentral{{'}}s Brandi Pine, who found T. C.'s negative reaction to be a realistic portrayal of a parent's difficult in accepting his or her child's sexual orientation.<ref name="Best2005">{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/ps/content/scoop/twoscoops/2005/051226.php |title=Best of 2005 |last=Pine |first=Brandi |date=December 26, 2005 |publisher=[[Soapcentral]] |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.istoday/20161226223518/http://soapcentral.com/ps/content/scoop/twoscoops/2005/051226.php |archivedatearchive-date=December 26, 2016 |deadurl=yes |dfurl-status=dead }}</ref> [[Sarah Warn]], former editor of entertainment website [[AfterEllen.com and TheBacklot.com|AfterEllen.com]], considered the storyline an improvement over a similar one used in ''[[All My Children]]''.<ref name="AfterEllen" /> Following the character's departure in 2007, Soaps.com identified Simone as a "charming and strong willed" character who would be remembered for "br[eaking] down some barriers for the depiction of lesbians on daytime TV".<ref name="StrongWill">{{cite web|url=http://soaps.sheknows.com/passions/news/1226/whatever-happened-tothe-simones|title=Whatever Happened to...the Simones|date=November 15, 2007|publisher=[[Soaps.com]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215090238/http://soaps.sheknows.com/passions/news/1226/whatever-happened-tothe-simones|archivedatearchive-date=February 15, 2016}}</ref>

Several [[Television criticism|television critics]] had a more negative response to Simone's storyline as a lesbian and to Doe's performance. Warn criticized Simone's relationship with Rae as poorly developed, believing her to be limited to "a one-dimensional character who happened to sleep with a girl", and argued that viewers never had the opportunity to "see this woman through her eyes" since the character's sexuality and past relationships with men, and her possible [[bisexuality]], were never addressed on screen. Warn also derided the lack of chemistry between Doe and Jossara Jinaro, who plays Rae.<ref name="AfterEllen" /> Herndon L. Davis of ''[[Windy City Times]]'' felt the representation of Simone as daytime's first African-American lesbian was overshadowed by the show's poor portrayal of Vincent Clarkson. Davis discussed Simone's story arc in his wider criticism of race in daytime television.<ref name="RaceBitterIssue">{{Cite web|url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/View-Racial-vs-gay-diversity-in-daytime-TV/21128.html|title=View: Racial vs. gay diversity in daytime TV – Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News Archive|date=May 1, 2009|publisher=Tracy Baim|work=[[Windy City Times]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214165003/http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/View-Racial-vs-gay-diversity-in-daytime-TV/21128.html|archivedatearchive-date=February 14, 2016}}</ref> Rae's death following the reveal of Chad's affair with Vincent was heavily criticized by Mike Perigard of the ''[[Boston Herald]]'', who believed that her removal was only written to maintain a low quota of gay characters on the show.<ref name="BostonHerald">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/2007/02/passions_exceeds_gay_quota_kills_character|title='Passions' exceeds gay quota, kills character|last=Perigard|first=Mark|publisher=Herald Media Inc.|work=[[Boston Herald]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709200914/http://www.bostonherald.com/2007/02/passions_exceeds_gay_quota_kills_character|archivedatearchive-date=July 9, 2016}}</ref>

Simone was the first African-American lesbian to be featured on daytime television.<ref name="RaceBitterIssue" /><ref name="Love">{{cite web|url=http://www.welovesoaps.net/2008/07/gaylesbianbisexual-television.html|title=History of Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Television Characters|last=Newcomb|first=Roger|date=July 7, 2008|work=[[We Love Soaps]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528222646/http://www.welovesoaps.net/2008/07/gaylesbianbisexual-television.html|archivedatearchive-date=May 28, 2016}}</ref> ''Passions'' also made history by becoming the first daytime television series to show two women having sex.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glaad.org/poc/coad/nominees/nominees06.php|title=GLAAD Media Awards Communities of African Descent Nominations|publisher=[[GLAAD]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060216150944/http://www.glaad.org/poc/coad/nominees/nominees06.php|archivedatearchive-date=February 16, 2006}}</ref> The soap opera won the award for Outstanding Daily Drama at the 17th GLAAD Media Awards for its portrayal of Simone's sexuality and her relationship with Rae,<ref>{{cite news|title=Industry Insider|date=February 13, 2007|work=[[Soap Opera Weekly]]|publisher=[[Source Interlink]]|page=4}}</ref> with Doe accepting the award on the show's behalf.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/actress-cathy-jenen-doe-who-plays-the-lesbian-character-news-photo/71175229|title=Actress Cathy Jenen Doe, who plays the lesbian character, Simone, on...|date=June 11, 2006 |publisher=[[Getty Images]]|language=en-US|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225203737/http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/actress-cathy-jenen-doe-who-plays-the-lesbian-character-news-photo/71175229|archivedatearchive-date=February 25, 2016}}</ref> Doe was also listed as a pre-nominee for the [[Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]] for the [[34th Daytime Emmy Awards]] alongside co-star Emily Harper, but was not chosen as one of the final nominees.<ref name="Emmys">{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/soapcentral/news/2007/0129-emmy_prenoms.php|title=Emmy Pre-Screening Nominations Announced|date=January 29, 2007|publisher=[[Soapcentral]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216155823/http://soapcentral.com/soapcentral/news/2007/0129-emmy_prenoms.php|archivedatearchive-date=February 16, 2016}}</ref><ref name="PrePrePre">{{cite web|url=http://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/527/daytime-emmy-prenominations |title=Daytime Emmy Pre-Nominations |date=February 2, 2007 |publisher=[[Soaps.com]] |archiveurlarchive-url=https://archive.istoday/20161226223252/http://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/527/daytime-emmy-prenominations |archivedatearchive-date=December 26, 2016 |deadurl=yes |dfurl-status=dead }}</ref>

{{portalPortal bar|Fictional characters|LGBT|Soap operas and telenovelasLGBTQ|Television}}

[[Category:FemaleAmerican female characters in television]]

[[Category:Fictional African-American peoplecharacters in television]]

[[Category:FictionalTelevision characters introduced in 1999]]

[[Category:Fictional LGBTLGBTQ characters in television]]