While a charming show filled with queer characters won’t fix the many issues plaguing our society, it will undoubtedly make you feel a little better to hang out with a cast of endearing, inclusive, authentic folks who use the power of haircuts to spread positivity, love and acceptance.Dove Hair and Unilever Entertainment partnered with Shaftesbury to produce The D Cut, a new series hitting Crave just in time to binge before the end of Pride Month. The six-episode show was inspired by the real-life story of a hairstylist from Montreal who ran a queer pay-what-you-can hair salon where clients could explore their gender identity and expression through hair. And anyone who’s suffered through a bad cut, poorly-conceived dye job or style that wasn’t a fit, you know that hair is a huge part of feeling like your inside matches your outside.In the series, superstar hairstylist D (Marie Marolle), fronts a salon that’s run out of an independent bike shop by an older woman everybody lovingly refers to as Mum (Marlee Walchuk). D’s friends, the pink-haired astrologer Quinn (Libby Osler) and fashionista photographer Liam (Vlad Alexis), spend their time watching D work her magic and pumping up anyone who steps into the salon—like the shy Viva (Amrit Kaur) who might just have a thing for the talented self-taught stylist.[video_embed id='-1'] Get your first look at 'The D Cut' [/video_embed]This heartwarming series is authentic and diverse as the people who made it, but that’s not all—here are eight reasons why The D Cut is a must-binge now that all six episodes are available on Crave.

1. It subverts LGBTQ2S+ stereotypes from the jump

We all know the “one gay character” trope mainstream TV shows often rely on and while there have been strides towards inclusivity in recent TV series and movies, it’s still super exciting when one gets it right. Even with its short runtime, The D Cut displays and embraces several diverse types of queer expression across multiple cultural backgrounds. As Quinn says to Viva at the salon: “You know, there’s no queer aesthetic you need to conform to, to fit in here.” Preach.

2. It’s as diverse behind the camera as it is on screen

The D Cut’s creators are as diverse as its cast, bringing with them a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences that add nuance and depth to the show. Director D.W. Waterson, known for her webseries That’s My DJ, creates projects that reflect her own LGBTQ2S+ experience and that of others she knows, particularly women of colour, who are often overlooked in the queer community. Writer Audrey Dwyer is a queer woman of colour herself, and uses her art (most notably her 2018 play Calpurnia which examines and reimagines To Kill a Mockingbird) to question dominant understandings of racism, allyship and classism. These are the people you want crafting queer stories.

3. It’s got several (yes, several) queer love stories

Admittedly, it wouldn’t be a must-watch young adult LGBTQ2S+ lifestyle series if there weren’t at least a few gay love stories. No spoilers, but we’ll just say you’re going to be “aww-ing” in every episode at the blossoming feelings bouncing around the bike shop and beyond.

4. It takes hair seriously

While some say “It’s just hair; it’ll grow back,” The D Cut understands just how important it is that your strands reflect who you are as do the people putting together the show.“I wanted to make sure my hair was just brushed out and we didn’t do anything because this is how Indian hair looks,” actress Amrit Kaur revealed in a behind-the-scenes featurette.“I felt like the first thing I wanted to do is connect with members of my community,” said writer Audrey Dwyer. And while textured hair is not explored in the series, Dwyer says she used her own hair journey as a Black woman for inspiration: “I examined my own relationship to my hair and some of my experiences. At the time, casting agents preferred straight hair so for me to go natural was a huge risk.”

5. It’s short and sweet but packs a punch

With each of the six episodes clocking in at less than 10 minutes, it’s hard to believe the amount of emotional weight this tight dramedy pulls. You’re emotionally invested in the first 90 seconds and it’s a total love affair from then on. Perfect for checking on D and the crew for a few minutes at a time during a quick “work break” or just sitting down and watching all six eps at once.

6. It serves major hair inspo

We’re not just talking, “Oh, I should get a blowout,” we’re talking, “Oh, I should chop off six inches, buzz one side, dye it blue and try out microbangs.” Some might not be brave enough to try the looks at home but maybe a drastic change is exactly what you’re looking for right now.

7. It’s got a loveable, unconventional fam at its centre

Like in any feel-good dramedy, the friends and Mum make up a (chosen) family that feels like a warm hug but also has its fair share of challenges and disagreements, like any bonded community. The love is strong nonetheless and it’s easy to feel an authentic connection between the characters that pulls you in.

8. It’s Canadian through and through.

From the first establishing shots, you can tell this show is shot in downtown Toronto (yep, the very first visual is a streetcar turning at Broadview and Queen). We love a show that’s proudly shot in the 6ix, rather than pretending it’s New York or some non-existent not-the-U.S. but-not-quite-Canada North American city.[video_embed id='1985411']BEFORE YOU GO: We're celebrating Pride from home with content that informs and entertains[/video_embed]