Malec: How They Became The Most Powerful And Inspirational LGBTQ Love Story Ever Told On Television In Recent Years – And Why More Love Stories Such As This Need To Be Told
Malec – the fan abbreviation of the coupling between Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood, the LGBTQ coupling from Shadowhunters: Mortal Instrument, the TV series that was inspired by the book series by Cassandra Clare. The TV show, which originally aired between 2016 and 2019, was a spinoff series of the 2013 movie adaptation starring Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower. In the series, Malec is portrayed by Harry Shum Jr. as Magnus and Matthew Daddario as Alec. Personally speaking, Malec was the ONLY good thing about the show. In fact, the series was recognized for its positive LGBTQ portrayal by GLAAD Awards numerous times throughout its run, and rightfully so. The pairing challenged traditional views of gender roles and sexuality, showcasing a strong and loving relationship between two men. Additionally, their relationship provided a platform for exploring themes of prejudice and acceptance, as Magnus, a centuries-old warlock, navigated a world still grappling with Downworlder discrimination. Here, we break down Malec’s entire relationship from beginning to end, as seen in the series. We explore how they became the most powerful and inspiring LGBTQ+ pairing seen on TV in recent years. And we explain why more stories like theirs should be told in the future. Let’s discuss…