'Arthur' character Mr Ratburn comes out as gay and gets married in new season

The premiere episode of season 22 is titled 'Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone'.

Mr Ratburn

'Arthur' character Mr Ratburn has come out as gay. Source: PBS

School teacher Nigel Ratburn is officially a married man.

In a win for on-screen representation in children's TV, this week’s premiere of Arthur season 22 has seen longtime character Mr Ratburn come out as gay and get married.

The episode, titled 'Mr Ratburn and the Special Someone', sees Arthur and co express that it's "wrong" for Mr Ratburn to get married - because “teachers don’t get married!”
“When they go home, they sharpen pencils, eat kale and dream up homework assignments," Buster argues.

"They don’t even sleep! They just go into low-power mode and watch documentaries.”

The episode guest-stars Jane Lynch as Mr Ratburn's uptight and slightly abrasive sister, who the gang mistakes as Mr Ratburn's bride-to-be.

They are shocked and relieved to find out that their beloved teacher is actually marrying Patrick, who owns the local chocolate shop.

Congratulations to Mr. Ratburn, the gay icon we didn't know we needed!

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By Samuel Leighton-Dore


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'Arthur' character Mr Ratburn comes out as gay and gets married in new season | SBS Voices