The TV series Elite has become one of the most popular shows on Netflix in recent years, mainly because of its many gay storylines. This is why we decided to write an article about the best LGBT characters in the Elite TV series.
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Elite TV Series Overview
Elite is a Spanish teen drama set at the exclusive private school, Las Encinas, where the children of Spain’s elite social class study alongside a few scholarship students from less privileged backgrounds. The series typically uses a non-linear narrative structure, combining a thrilling murder mystery or a major criminal event (which often serves as the framework for the season) with flashbacks to the students’ complex lives, relationships, and conflicts. It quickly gained international attention for its high-stakes drama, sexual fluidity, explicit content, and its commitment to exploring “hot-button” social issues like classism, drug use, familial expectations, and sexuality.
Our list of the best LGBT Characters in the Elite TV series
Elite features queer characters prominently in its storylines. However, the depth and complexity of these characters change from season to season. When ranking characters in a high-stakes drama like Elite, we consider their complexity, narrative impact, and the strength of their internal struggles, as well as our personal opinions.
Here is our ranking of eleven characters, along with an exploration of how the most influential ones shaped their seasons.
Polo
Polo Benavent Villada is the main antagonist in the first three seasons. His story shows a tragic struggle with insecurity and identity. He drives the main plot and highlights how wealth and privilege can help or harm vulnerable people.
Polo starts in a heterosexual relationship with Carla, but his sexual awakening begins when Christian joins them in a throuple. As he explores relationships with men, he realizes he is likely bisexual. He acknowledges this in Season 3.
Polo is both a victim and a villain. He is easily manipulated by Carla and Cayetana, which evokes sympathy despite his actions. In Season 3, he attempts a painful redemption arc, seeking forgiveness and taking responsibility before his tragic death. This quest for redemption adds to his portrayal as a tragic character. It prompts discussions about guilt, privilege, and mental health. His downfall resonates with fans, making his death a poignant end to a troubled character.
Ander Munnoz
Ander Muñoz is a key character in the show for four seasons. He faces challenges with his health, identity, and his essential relationship with Omar, making him a deep and relatable character. At first, he appears as a wealthy and popular tennis player, but he hides a serious internal struggle. His parents expect him to be a perfect athlete. This pressure contrasts with his conflicts about his sexuality, depression, and the need to fit in. His journey isn’t just about coming out; it’s also about his inner battles. His relationship with Omar helps him face his true self, and later, his leukemia diagnosis brings up themes of life, identity, and the wish to live honestly. This adds to his complexity. His bond with Polo also shows his loyalty and emotional growth. Ander represents how the Elite often reveal the hidden struggles behind an affluent lifestyle. He stands out as a character, that’s why we placed him so high among the best LGBT characters in the Elite TV series!
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Patrick Blanco Commerford
Patrick, who appears in Season 4, is one of the three children of the new principal, Benjamín. He is very charming and loves enjoying life, always seeking attention. He uses his personality and sexual freedom to connect with others.
He impacts the lives of characters like Ander and Omar by pushing them to face their feelings and limits. Patrick’s journey focuses on his quest for fun and the loneliness that comes from shallow relationships. He is clear about what he wants, especially in romantic matters, unlike many others at Las Encinas who hide their true feelings.
Patrick lives for the moment, which can help him ignore the pressures at school. However, his need for pleasure can also lead to impulsive actions and hurtful decisions. He often struggles with commitment and being open with his emotions. This fear leads him to sabotage deeper relationships, especially with Iván.
Rebeca
Rebeca, or “Rebe,” is a popular character known for her depth and the theme of class conflict and morality. She is the daughter of a drug trafficker and arrives at Las Encinas as a “new money” outsider. Rebe is vibrant, loud, and street-smart, which sets her apart from her wealthy classmates. Her most significant strength is her loyalty to her friends, especially Samuel. She is the friend who will fight for you and keep everyone grounded in a chaotic environment. In her relationship with Mencía, she tries to protect her from self-destructive behavior. However, her family’s criminal connections sometimes put her friends in danger. Fans appreciate Rebeca’s working-class background and genuine personality, making her one of the most loved characters in the series.
Mencía
Mencía is an interesting character, especially when compared to her structured family life. She rejects her father’s privilege and control and shows chaotic energy through her rebellious behavior. Her story reveals the darker side of the wealthy Blanco family as she searches for her identity outside her father’s expectations.
Her relationship with Rebeca, known as “RebeNcia,” is a key reason for her popularity. Their passionate dynamic contrasts Mencía’s vulnerability with Rebeca’s loyalty. Mencía values her independence and resists control from her family and society, while navigating her intense emotions and relationships. She recognizes her flaws and struggles with stability and trust, which complicates her bond with Rebeca and often leads to fights. Although she rebels, her financial dependence on her family keeps her tied to their toxic influence, creating ongoing tension in her life.
Iván Carvalho
Iván is a strong lead in the later seasons, playing a tragic character shaped by family trauma and key mysteries in Seasons 5, 6, and 7. He often feels overshadowed despite having the traits of a leading man, as he mainly reacts to the chaos around him. Iván is the son of a famous soccer player, Cruz Carvalho. Growing up, he moved constantly, which created a deep need for genuine connections, contrasting with his carefree father.
In his relationship with Patrick, Iván wanted true love and added emotional depth to their turbulent dynamic. After Patrick left and Iván faced a near-fatal accident, he shifted to a focus on emotional recovery, seeking a more stable relationship with Joel. Although sometimes overshadowed, Iván is popular with audiences, who find his story heartbreaking, especially regarding his father’s influence and his toxic relationship with Patrick. Fans praise actor André Lamoglia for bringing Iván to life in a way that feels complete, even if painful.
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Omar
Omar gained popularity in the early seasons as a sympathetic and good-hearted character. He contrasted sharply with the wealthy students and became a fan favorite for his loyalty and vulnerability, especially in Seasons 1-3. His character faced significant challenges due to being gay, coming from a conservative Muslim family, and dealing drugs.
More importantly, the romance between Omar and Ander, known as “Omander,” was a key part of the show. Fans loved their opposites-attract dynamic and their struggles to make their relationship work. However, after Omar’s central conflict about coming out was resolved and he supported Ander through his cancer diagnosis, his role changed. He became a stable support for others, but in a drama like *Elite*, this stability seemed “boring.”
As grief and trauma took over after Ander’s health worsened, Omar’s character started to feel dull. “With Ander gone, Omar lacked a strong storyline or direction in later seasons, making it hard for viewers to connect with him. That’s why we didn’t place him higher among the best LGBT characters in the Elite TV series.
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Héctor Krawietz
Héctor Krawietz brought a new energy to the later seasons and was a strong rival for Iván. Introducing him earlier could have increased the show’s teshow’s. As the Vice-President of the Alumni Club, Héctor was a mature, external threat, different from the usual Las Encinas student drama. He showed the predatory side of the adult elite, using manipulation rather than brute force like past student antagonists.
This change refreshed the story, with Héctor focusing on security and opportunity instead of passion. While Iván’s chaotic and emotional, Héctor’s Héctor’ss subtle and appealing, addressing Joel’s needs. His thoughtful manipulation made him a clever and effective enemy, forcing Iván to face issues like classism.
Héctor’s Héctor’sonstrated that money and power can be the most harmful forces at Las Encinas, even when used charmingly. However, his lack of personal background limits his overall impact.
Cruz Carvalho
Cruz was a flawed parent who felt compelled to explore his sexuality, even when it harmed his son, Iván. Fans had mixed opinions about him. Many thought he cared more about partying than being a father. His lifestyle created instability for Iván, who needed more security. A significant plot point was Cruz’s relationship with Patrick, which many saw as selfish since Iván had feelings for him. This led to a lot of debate among fans. Some enjoyed the chemistry between Cruz and Patrick, while others thought it was manipulative and toxic. Cruz’s character was believable in the show. Still, his story showed his internal struggle with identity at the cost of Iván’s. Eventually, Cruz admitted his mistakes and tried to be a better father. His journey added depth to his relationship with Iván, making it a significant part of the story.
Joel Castellano
Joel, introduced in Season 7, comes from a working-class background and is emotionally sensitive and decent. Unlike many students at Las Encinas, he looks for stability and survival instead of wealth or ambition.
He enters Iván’s liIván’sn. Iván is recovering emotionally after Patrick leaves and after his near-fatal accident. Joel gives Iván a calmer relationship, which contrasts with the chaos of the elite lifestyle. His financial struggles and relatable insecurities make viewers sympathetic to him.
However, some viewers criticize Joel for being passive. He often avoids conflict and can be manipulated easily. While this helps Iván heal, some may find his quiet nature less exciting compared to other dramatic characters on the show.
Nico
Nico, introduced in Season 6, was the show’s first transgender male character, providing important representation. However, his character often took a back seat in the main story. While his relationship complexities were real, they did not engage viewers as much as those of other characters.
Viewers had mixed feelings about Nico. Some appreciated his inclusion, while others were frustrated with his storyline. His supportive family contrasted with the conflicts faced by earlier characters like Omar.
Many found Nico unconvincing due to the way his conflicts were presented, often seeming simple. The suggestion that he had a crush on Ari before his transition felt forced, as he had not been a significant character before this. This led to confusion, with some believing he was included to attract transgender viewers rather than being a fully developed character.
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