Slay Media Group Acquires “UNREQUITED,” the First Black LGBTQ+ Vertical Micro-Series

Gayes! Let's keep it a buck. People today are spending more time consuming media vertically on their phones.

As vertical short-form storytelling continues reshaping digital entertainment, Slay Media Group has officially acquired “UNREQUITED,” billed as the first Black LGBTQ+ vertical dramedy micro-series

Designed for mobile-first audiences and rapid binge consumption, vertical dramas have become increasingly popular among younger viewers accustomed to consuming entertainment through TikTok, Instagram Reels, and mobile streaming platforms.

The series that originally premiered back in March 2025 follows an introvert with a secret crush that starts blurring the lines of reality and fantasy.

According to Slay Media Group, the 52-episode series will be “ filled with messy love, emotional chaos, sharp humor, and the kind of chemistry you can’t fake.”

The company also praised Black LGBTQ+ creators for continuing to craft stories that are cinematic, layered, and unapologetically ours, describing UNREQUITED as more than just a series, but as “a glimpse into the future of queer storytelling: vertical, bingeable, emotionally rich, and made for us.”

Produced by Penjot Media Group, the series stars Todd Foolery as Liam Briggs, Dabag Baddie as Amber Davis, Davis Tefond as Dex, T. Ridley as Asher, Juss Thrasher as Dr. Riley Nelson, Reid H. Schmidt as Milton, Marilyn Fitoria as Maya, JD Powell as Jeff, and Christopher Rules as Tyler.

Filmed on location in Los Angeles, California, “ UNREQUITED” arrives as a breath of fresh air in the ever-growing vertical short-form series space. While audiences have seen a bevy of this content dominate social feeds in recent years, representation, particularly for Black and LGBTQ+ communities, has often remained limited.

At a time when diversity initiatives and inclusive storytelling continue facing political and corporate backlash, “UNREQUITED” places Black queer characters at the center rather than the margins

While “UNREQUITED” may be the first vertical short-form series of its kind, the idea certainly isn’t new. Today, some of the biggest companies are looking to cash in on the ever-growing short-form series industry.

Holywater — often described as a “Netflix for vertical content” — has made major strides in the vertical short-form space, catching the attention of major studios. FOX Entertainment recently took an equity stake in the company with plans to produce more than 200 vertical series,

NBCUniversal’s Peacock is also licensing vertical microdramas from platforms like ReelShort while testing original productions catered to users on mobile devices.

Last year, Oscar-winning producer Bill Block launched GammaTime, a new micro-drama streaming platform. Joining him at the company as chief revenue officer is former Google Gaming vet Slava Mudrykh, and short-lived vertical streaming network Quibi vet Alex Montalvo, who’ll serve as chief content officer.

By October, the platform had already raised $14 million in funding from lead investors Vgames and Pitango, with additional backing from Alexis Ohanian, Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, and Traverse Ventures.

With major industry players entering the vertical short-form content space, “UNREQUITED” joining Slay Media Group has arrived at the perfect moment.

As Hollywood and digital platforms continue to race toward the future of mobile-first entertainment, “UNREQUITED” stands as both a cultural milestone and a reminder that Black queer audiences remain insatiable for stories that see them fully.

Episodes 1–18 are now streaming exclusively on the official Instagram account of Slay Media House.