“We need levity right now”- Hannah Pilkes Prioritizes Queer Representation Post Netflix’s 'Leanne' Release

Published 08/03/2025, 1:24 PM EDT

Actress, comedian, and now director Hannah Pilkes is boldly reshaping the meaning of a modern multi-hyphenate. From sharing the stage with comedy powerhouses like Meg Stalter and Paul F. Thompkins to stealing scenes on Dropout and Comedy Bang Bang, Pilkes has cemented her place with a style that is wildly original, deeply strange, and character-rich. Her newest venture, Leanne, which premiered on July 31, pushes her even further into the spotlight, and now, her powerful revelation about queer representation has taken over.

Following the release of Leanne, Hannah Pilkes is not just making people laugh, she is making a statement. Her focus on queer visibility is turning heads and sparking vital conversations.

Hannah Pilkes uses her rising platform to advocate for the communities that need it most

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In an interview with The Pink News, Hannah Pilkes spoke candidly about the dual need for levity and representation in today’s cultural landscape, stating, “We need levity right now, and we also need representation of the people that feel under fire.” She emphasized that many communities are facing pressure, and visibility can be a powerful response. Acknowledging her own privilege, Pilkes reflected on the gratitude she feels for being safe while using her platform to help shift the cultural needle forward.

Hannah Pilkes further added that she feels genuinely thankful to be in a place where she can openly embrace her identity, saying it means a great deal to stand proudly as a queer individual on screen. For her, even that simple act carries weight. She hopes that her visibility, however subtle, can spark progress and contribute, however slightly, to shifting perspectives in a more inclusive, compassionate direction. And while Pilkes is drawing attention for her powerful advocacy, her Netflix project is commanding just as much spotlight, proving she is making waves both on and off screen.

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Hannah Pilkes’ Netflix project Leanne has sparked major buzz since its release, thanks to a bold, offbeat storyline that has left viewers hooked and critics eager to decode its layers.

Plot twists and personality collide in Hannah Pilkes' Leanne

Leanne is a 2025 American sitcom developed by Susan McMartin, Chuck Lorre, and Leanne Morgan, which premiered on Netflix on July 31. The series features Leanne Morgan alongside Kristen Johnston, Celia Weston, Blake Clark, Ryan Stiles, Graham Rogers, and Hannah Pilkes. It follows a Southern grandmother whose world turns upside down when her husband walks out after thirty-three years of marriage. With humor, grit, family support, and an endless supply of jello salad, she begins to rediscover herself.

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Leanne has earned an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and with its heartfelt storyline, many viewers are wondering if it mirrors real events. While it feels personal, the show is not actually based on Leanne Morgan’s life. In reality, Morgan has been happily married to Chuck Morgan since 1993, and the couple shares three children. As fans dig into the private lives of the cast, what truly captured attention was Hannah Pilkes’ powerful advocacy for queer representation, leaving a lasting impact beyond the screen.

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What do you think about Hannah Pilkes’ advocacy for queer representation? Let us know in the comments below.

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Yusra Miraj Khan

797 articles

Yusra Miraj Khan is an Entertainment Journalist at Netflix Junkie. Specializing in Taylor Swift and the British Royal Family, she transforms modern mythologies into high-ranking, reader-first narratives. Since joining in early 2025, Khan has penned over 500 articles, known for their sharp decoding of Easter eggs and PR silences.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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