The Love, Simon spinoff series Love, Victor will be moving from Disney+ to Hulu, and has already been renewed for a second season.
The spinoff series based on the big screen hit Love, Simon, which was based on Becky Albertalli’s young adult coming of age novel of the same name, also has a new title: Love, Victor.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney felt that the half-hour comedy featured more adult themes than it was comfortable featuring on family-focused Disney+. Those adult themes include alcohol use, marital issues (among the parents) and sexual exploration. Those themes were concerning for Disney+ execs who thought they might not resonate with families who watch the service with young kids.
News of its moving to Hulu caused many to wonder if “adult themes” was code for “too gay,” prompting Abertalli to offer additional context:
That said, I completely get why many of us are wary of phrases like “mature content” and “adult themes.” They’re so often used as homophobic dog whistles, and these concerns are so valid.
But in this case, I do hope you’ll give Disney the benefit of the doubt.
— Becky Albertalli Updates (@beckyalbertalli) February 25, 2020
So I hope you’ll take a chance on this beautiful show, with its brilliant, thoughtful actors, writers, and production team. They deserve it.
And reminder that I have zero control over these decisions made by major entertainment corporations.
Thank you so much for understanding.
— Becky Albertalli Updates (@beckyalbertalli) February 25, 2020
Love, Victor is set to debut during Pride month in June and will center on Victor, a new student at Creekwood High School, which is the same high school as the 2018 Fox 2000 movie starring Nick Robinson. The series will follow Victor on his own journey of self-discovery, facing challenges at home, adjusting to a new city and struggling with his sexual orientation.
The Love, Simon spinoff series comes from This Is Us executive producers/co-showrunners Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, who likewise wrote the movie. It just wrapped production on its 10-episode first season. Greg Berlanti directed the popular 2018 film, but will not return in any capacity on the series. In addition to being one of the most popular producers in the TV business, Berlanti is precluded from being involved with the new series due to his exclusive overall deal with Warner Bros. Television.
There’s no specific release date for the Love, Simon spinoff as of yet, though we do know that it will be sometime in June.