The new Y2K coming-of-age BBC series filmed in South Wales
Fans of British dramas will be transported back to the early 00s, as the new coming-of-age BBC series, What It Feels Like For A Girl, will soon be on our screens. The eight part series is based on the memoir of the same name by writer and journalist Paris Lees.
The series starts in the new millennium and follow Byron, played by Ellis Howard, who is a teenage stuck in a small working-class town that hasn't been the same since the coal mine shut in the 80s.
The actor described the series, saying: "It's the story of someone who has grown up in a small town with people who aren't like them, dreaming of a life bigger and bolder" For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter.
READ MORE: Tom Jones played matchmaker for another huge Welsh singer
READ MORE: Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Wednesday, May 28)
The series, tackles gender identity, what makes a family, class, sexuality and friendship as Byron attempts to break free from the confinement of their small town, and instead embarks on a new vibrant life of partying in Nottingham's underworld.
Ellis said: "The show has a real bite to it and feels anarchic, punk and edgy, but also joyful and has a real lightness of touch and wit. The characters are misfits, punks, living on the fringes of society and use their acid tongues as a defence mechanism, giving the show wit and banter whilst also delivering a severe emotional punch.
"Hopefully, people will stay for the love and joy but will be heartbroken by the depths that the series goes to. It doesn't shy away from telling the truth; it has trauma and grasps the human experience. If you're looking at the series through a queer lens and perspective, those things are just magnified tenfold.
"As a queer person, not only are you wrestling with these things, but you're also wrestling with who you are, as well as experiencing them."
The actor, who is also queer, enjoyed playing the role of Byron as they so similarities and stark differences between their own life and the life of their character.
They said: "Byron finds themself in this mad queer space with a crazy eclectic gang of friends. It's an experience I didn't have growing up as queer, and it's one that I have found through filming and building a relationship with the cast."
The series was filmed in both South Wales and Nottingham, where the series is set. The author of the memoir, grew up in the city and the series is largely based on their life growing up queer in a traditional working class town.
Paris said: "At its core, the story is inspired by my life and all my unique past experiences. Growing up, my friends and I were the only openly out young people in Nottingham. Even in the past decade, things have changed drastically.
"Back then, we were on the outskirts of society, and people thought we were too young to be transitioning. This is ultimately a coming-of-age story, and like many coming-of-age tales, it's about the people we lose and gain along the way."
They continued: "As a working-class trans woman, I've never had the opportunity to tell my story in this way before. I've never seen a trans character represented in this way on British television. Someone cool, edgy, and imperfect. I'm not a perfect trans woman, and I don't want to be a role model. I'm a hot mess, and I have the right to be just as messy as anyone else.
"There's a reason why the trans community hasn't had a voice in television like this before, and I hope this series will resonate with anyone who feels marginalised or lives on the edge of society. I want this story to make people feel heard."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by P A R I S L E E S (@paris.lees)
The journalist and writer, said that she was thrilled that they cast Ellis as Byron and that something about the actor stuck out straight away.
Paris explained: "He brought a certain naughtiness to the role, which shines through in the series. Byron is such a complex character, going from being a schoolboy to a trans woman and everything in between; it is a challenging role. Byron is the central character, but Byron is also based on me, so getting the casting right was crucial. For me, Ellis was the perfect choice!"
All episodes of What It Feels Like For A Girl will be available on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Tuesday, June 3 , and air on BBC Three and BBC One from that night.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
26 minutes ago
- Associated Press
'Doctor Who' season finale surprises fans with an exit — and a familiar face
LONDON (AP) — A familiar face to 'Doctor Who' fans is rejoining the long-running British sci-fi series as Ncuti Gatwa exits the lead role after two seasons. In Saturday's season finale, Gatwa's Time Lord regenerated and fans got a glimpse of Billie Piper, who played the character Rose Tyler for 35 episodes between 2005 and 2013. Tyler was a companion to versions of the doctor played by Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant. Producers are keeping Piper's new role secret — for now. 'Just how and why she is back remains to be seen,' the BBC said in a statement after the finale aired. 'It's an honour and a hoot to welcome her back to the TARDIS, but quite how and why and who is a story yet to be told,' showrunner Russell T Davies said in a statement. Piper said 'Doctor Who' has provided some of her best memories and she couldn't pass up the opportunity to come back. 'It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return ... but who, how, why and when, you'll just have to wait and see,' she said. If Piper does indeed become the Doctor, she would be the third woman to fill the famous shoes. The Rwanda-born, Scotland-raised Gatwa, 29, was the first Black actor to helm the show, but he wasn't the first Black Doctor — Jo Martin played 'Fugitive Doctor' in several episodes. Gatwa took over the role from Jodie Whittaker in 2023. Whittaker was the 13th Doctor — and the first woman to play the central galaxy-hopping, extraterrestrial Time Lord who regenerates into new bodies. She took over from Peter Capaldi in 2017. 'Doctor Who' first aired from 1963 to 1989 and returned in 2005. In the U.S., new episodes air on Disney+.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Watch: Ncuti Gatwa bids farewell to 'Doctor Who,' Billie Piper is 16th Doctor
May 31 (UPI) -- Ncuti Gatwa has left the BBC/Disney+ sci-fi series, Doctor Who, after two seasons and former franchise co-star Billie Piper is taking his place as the 16th incarnation of the titular time-traveler. "You know when you get cast, at some point you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it," Gatwa said in a statement Saturday. "This journey has been one that I will never forget, and a role that will be part of me forever. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe." Piper played companion Rose to the versions of the Doctor played by Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant. "Billie once changed the whole of television, back in 2005, and now she's done it again! It's an honor and a hoot to welcome her back to the TARDIS, but quite how and why and who is a story yet to be told. After 62 years, the Doctor's adventures are only just beginning!" said show-runner Russell T. Davies.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
'Doctor Who' Pulls Shock Change as Lead Actor Makes Unexpected Exit
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Long-running sci-fi franchise Doctor Who will make a shocking change as lead actor Ncuti Gatwa exits the series after just two seasons in the lead role, with the BBC tapping fan-favorite Billie Piper to return once again, but this time as the is she? Why It Matters Doctor Who premiered in 1963 and ran continuously until 1989, at which point it went on hiatus before a major and high-profile revamp in 2005 led by writer Russell T. Davies. The franchise has remained fresh throughout its many iterations due to the main character, The Doctor, "regenerating" - i.e. turning into an entirely new person after fatal incidents that would normally kill them. Fourteen actors have held the role as a numbered Doctor, with David Tennant the only actor to play the role twice, as the Tenth and Fourteenth Doctors, and the late John Hurt playing the "War Doctor" in a special 50th anniversary special celebrating the franchise. Gatwa is the first non-white actor to hold the title role, following on from Jodie Whittaker's turn as the first female Doctor, and Jo Martin's four episodes as the "Fugitive Doctor," making her the second woman and first Black woman to hold the role, although not as the principle Doctor. What to Know The BBC announced Gatwa's departure from Doctor Who on Saturday following months of rumors that the actor would look to exit after just two seasons, marking the second-shortest stint in the role after Christopher Eccleston's one season as the Ninth Doctor, not counting Paul McGann, who was the Eighth Doctor in a TV movie, Hurt's "War Doctor," and Martin's "Fugitive Doctor." However, the more shocking element of the announcement is that Gatwa will be replaced by another returning face: Fan-favorite and former sidekick Billie Piper, who played the Doctor's companion Rose Tyler over two seasons, with two subsequent appearances. Piper will be the third woman to hold the role - if confirmed she is actually the Doctor. Piper made her debut in Saturday's finale in the current season, appearing at the very end as Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor regenerated. The BBC teased a mystery behind the major twist, writing in a press release: "Just how and why she [Billie Piper] is back remains to be seen..." The finale credits read: "Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor. Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor. And introducing Billie Piper," which leaves it a mystery as to whether she will actually be the Sixteenth Doctor, though fans may see this as a distinction without a difference depending how the show portrays it. Piper, a former pop star who later turned to acting, has enjoyed a successful career on TV and stage, including her headline-grabbing role as sex worker Belle de Jour in Secret Diary of a Call Girl. In a press release published on the BBC website, the agency wrote that "there is still uncertainty about when the drama will return," with no decision made on commissioning the next season until the current season ends its broadcast, which occurred on Saturday. Following a relatively lackluster run under head writer Chris Chibnall, the BBC sought to revive interest in the franchise by bringing back Davies as showrunner. Davies pulled Tennant back into the role as the Fourteenth Doctor for three TV specials, followed by Gatwa's tenure. The BBC co-produced the last two seasons of the show with Disney+, which also broadcast the show internationally and helped the show expand its budget. Discussions about whether that partnership will continue remain under discussion and "are likely to take some time," according to the BBC. "For a new series to be ready for 2026, production would need to get under way relatively soon. So at the moment a new series or a special starring Billie Piper before 2027 looks unlikely," the BBC wrote in its press release. The BBC directed Newsweek to the statement on its website when asked for comment on Saturday. Ncuti Gatwa attends the 2025 Met Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5 in New York City. Ncuti Gatwa attends the 2025 Met Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5 in New York People Are Saying Ncuti Gatwa in the BBC press release said: "You know when you get cast, at some point you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it. This journey has been one that I will never forget, and a role that will be part of me forever. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe. "The fans are truly the final character and beating heart of this show and I can't thank the Whoniverse, and the Whovians, enough for welcoming me in, and making this such a touching experience," Gatwa added. "I've loved every minute of it, but now is the time to hand over the keys to that beloved blue box and let someone else take control and enjoy it every bit as much as I have. I'll truly miss it, and forever be grateful to it, and everyone that has played a part in my journey as the Doctor." Russell T. Davies in the BBC press release said: "What a Doctor! Thank you, Ncuti! As his final words say, this has been an absolute joy, and the team in Cardiff and everyone who has worked on this show for the past few years, are so lucky to have been part of Ncuti's great adventure as he shoots off to stratospheric new heights." Billie Piper in the BBC press release said: "It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn't refuse, but who, how, why and when, you'll just have to wait and see."
