Joy and Zoey share a kiss in the series finale of Hallmark’s Good Witch. (Hallmark)
Hallmark original series Good Witch has broken new ground by featuring a same-sex kiss in its season finale, marking a new first for the typically conservative network.
The episode, which aired Sunday night (25 July), saw Joy (Kat Barrell) and Zoey (Kyana Teresa) share a heartfelt kiss, making it the first same-sex kiss in a Hallmark original series.
The incredible moment sent Good Witch fans into a frenzy on social media, with many sharing their emotional reactions to the powerful scene.
Teresa celebrated the scene on Instagram, writing: “If you’re not making history, you’re not doing it right.
“Thank you to everyone who helped this story become a reality and to everyone who rallied for it until the very end and beyond.
“It means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
Good Witch‘s positive LGBT+ representation can ‘change lives’
Barrell said positive representation has the power to “change lives”, adding that she is “beyond proud” of the stories they have told on Good Witch.
Tagging her acting partner, Barrell added: “So grateful for you, my love. You fill the world with positivity and beauty everywhere you go! You have the most gracious heart and I will treasure our time spent playing these characters.”
Sadly, Good Witch fans won’t get to see any more of Joy and Zoey, as the show bowed out on Sunday night following a seven season run.
Still, fans were overjoyed at getting some much-needed queer representation in the show’s final moments.
JOY AND ZOEY. I REPEAT, JOY AND ZOEY ❤️😍🥰 #goodies #goodwitch pic.twitter.com/YZzk69mmcT
— Good Witch Posts (@GoodWitchPosts) July 26, 2021
True loves kiss!
Be still my #TeamJoey Heart 😍😍😍#GoodWitch #GoodEarpers #Goodies pic.twitter.com/GHi60ccXns
— ✨JoJo✨ #BringWynonnaHome (@HaughtBarrell) July 26, 2021
Thank you @hallmarkchannel but you’ve left us in a place of wanting more. Perhaps a #TeamJoey movie?
‘Good Witch’ Series Finale Features First Same-Sex Kiss for a Hallmark Show https://t.co/TaFXULc9fl
— Purgatory Mercantile (@CaliEarper) July 26, 2021
WAKING UP TO A JOEY KISS? my rights #GoodWitch pic.twitter.com/NS1XV52F5e
— b⋆lost girl era (@earpslauren) July 26, 2021
The moment is a significant one for Hallmark. In 2019, the network faced international outcry when it bowed to pressure from conservatives and pulled an advert featuring lesbian brides.
Shortly afterwards, Hallmark’s parent company Crown Media reinstated the adverts as the controversy intensified.
Last December, Hallmark showed that it was committed to LGBT+ representation when it aired its original film The Christmas House.
The film starred Mean Girls‘ Jonathan Bennett as a gay married man trying to adopt a child with his husband.
Bennett and his husband also shared an on-screen kiss, making it the first same-sex kiss on the Hallmark Channel and the first in one of its original films.