Joe Pickett (2021)

The series features a gay character, Randy Pope, whose relationship with a murder victim is integral to a significant plotline. Randy is portrayed with dignity, complexity, and agency, and his sexuality is handled respectfully without being a source of mockery or negative stereotyping. The narrative treats his grief and quest for justice empathetically.

In the adaptation of C.J. Box's novels, the character Nate Romanowski, canonically depicted as white in the source material, is portrayed by a Black actor. Similarly, Sheriff Vern Dunnegan, also a white character in the books, is played by a Black actor.

The series portrays Christianity as an integral part of the rural community, often aligning its narrative with virtues like justice, integrity, and compassion. While some characters may exhibit hypocrisy or moral failings despite their faith, the narrative consistently frames these as individual shortcomings rather than inherent flaws of the religion itself, often condemning such behavior.