Thelma Bates, Hex

Thelma Bates (Jemima Rooper)

Thelma was introduced as a lesbian and in love with her best friend witch (and show protagonist) Cassie. In the first episode of the series, Thelma died but became a ghost and was unseen by most characters outside of “supernatural” ones. She helped Cassie as a ghost, until Cassie was killed off in the beginning of Season 2, and Thelma and Cassie’s ghosts shared a first and final kiss.

The rest of the season, Thelma became the main protagonist of the show, fighting Malachi, a witch and fallen angel and Cassie’s son. In an effort to hinder Thelma, Malachi caused the death of young lesbian Maya Robertson and positioned her to develop a ghostly emotional and sexual relationship with Thelma.

To weaken Malachi, Ella, Thelma’s ally, had to destroy Maya’s spirit, for which she and Thelma temporarily parted ways. In the series finale, and the final battle between good and evil, Thelma’s ghost escaped, but the world was ending. The show was cancelled after Season 2.

Appearances:

• 18 episodes.

Female love interests:

• Maya Robertson 💀 (Laura Donnelly, lesbian, recurring, 4 episodes)
• Cassandra "Cassie" Hughes 💀 (Christina Cole, straight, regular, 8 episodes)

Relationship story arc with a woman: Yes

No male love interests

Relationship story arc with a man: No

Male love interest after being identified as a lesbian? No

Filter Relationship Arc:

• Female (Recurring)

Storyline during sweeps? No

[1] A relationship story arc is defined as explicit, developed on screen, and lasting more than 3 episodes. It is listed as questionable or subtext if romance is only implied, mentioned instead of shown on screen, part of a dream sequence, or otherwise not explicit for the viewer.
[2] Sweeps episodes air in February, May, July and November, the periods when advertising rates are set. A character is marked as "sweeps" when there is a very limited number of episodes that address their sexuality, all air during sweeps period, and the storyline is otherwise ignore/dropped.