Latest news with #SecretDiaryofaCallGirl
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Ncuti Gatwa exits Doctor Who and regenerates into Billie Piper as fans left speechless
Ncuti Gatwa has left his role as the Fifteenth Doctor after two series and was seen regenerating into Billie Piper. Ncuti Gatwa has stepped down from his role as the Doctor after playing the iconic character for two seasons on the beloved sci-fi series Doctor Who. At the end of the 15th season finale, which aired on Saturday May 31, fans were left stunned as Gatwa was seen regenerating into Billie Piper, who previously played the Doctor's companion, Rose Tyler, when David Tennant was playing the iconic part. In a press release, the BBC refers to the Doctor's regeneration, but says: "Just how and why she [Billie Piper] is back remains to be seen…" Scottish-Rwandan actor Ncuti has released a statement following his shock exit which reads: "This journey has been one that I will never forget, and a role that will be part of me forever." The credit at the end of the programme read: "Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor. Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor. And introducing Billie Piper". It comes after speculation had been building for some time that Gatwa was going to be 'axed' from the programme which the BBC previously denied. A spokesperson for the BBC told the media earlier this month: "Whilst we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been 'axed' is pure fiction." As for whether the series will continue, the BBC explained: "As we have previously stated, the decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs and any other claims are just pure speculation. The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes – and we still have an entire spin off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, to air. And as for the rest, we never comment on the Doctor and future storylines." Meanwhile Billie Piper, who is set to make her shock return, first starred on the show in 2005 when it returned to television for the first time since the 1990s, appearing alongside Christopher Eccleston and then David Tennant. After her memorable role of Rose Tyler for two full series in 2005 and 2006, the 42-year-old won acclaim for roles including sex worker Belle de Jour in Secret Diary of a Call Girl and the lead character in Sky Atlantic's I Hate Suzie. In 2017, Piper won best actress award at the Olivier's, for her performance in the play Yerma. She was most recently nominated for a Bafta for playing TV producer Sam McAlister in Scoop, a drama about Prince Andrew's car crash interview on Newsnight in 2019. After Scots legend Peter Capaldi stepped down as the 12th doctor, Piper told the BBC she believed a woman should take over the coveted role but was not sure about playing the part herself. Capaldi went on to be replaced by Jodie Whittaker, who was then replaced by Sex Education star Ncuti. Gatwa has only played the Doctor for 18 months, appearing in two series, which marks the shortest amount of time any star has been in the role since Christopher Eccleston's one year stint as the Doctor in 2005. There is still uncertainty about when the show will return after it's finale for season 15 was aired tonight on May 31. Showrunner and head writer Russell T Davies previously confirmed that no official decision would be made on commissioning the next series until this series had been broadcast. The last two series of the show have been co-produced and broadcast internationally by streaming service Disney+, which has given the beloved sci-fi series a bigger budget. However, conversations about whether the BBC and Disney wish to renew that deal, or whether other options should be explored, are likely to take a while. In order for a new series to be released in 2026, production would need to get under way relatively soon.
Metro
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Netflix viewers have just hours to binge ‘steamy' 00s British TV drama
A 'flawless' British drama series about the double life of a high-end call girl is leaving Netflix in just a few hours. Based on the blog and books by the pseudonymous Belle de Jour, Secret Diary of a Call Girl ran for four seasons between 2007 and 2011. It starred Billie Piper, then best known for her music career and for playing companion Rose Tyler in Doctor Who two years earlier. Written by Lucy Prebble, the series was set in London and followed Hannah Baxter (played by Billie), a young woman who lives a secret life as a call girl, under the pseudonym Belle. It charted her professional and private lives and the complications that arose when these separate parts of her life collided. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Although the show found itself under fire by some who claimed it glamorised and was a misrepresentation of sex work, Billie fired back. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'We've only been exposed to the drug-fuelled, sex traffic side – but the fact is, there are middle-class, cultured, well-read women who take part in this job,' she said at the time. The first season of Secret Diary of a Call Girl divided critics. 'It's close to perfect raunchy summer television,' Buffalo News wrote in its review. 'It's eye-opening stuff, at least some of it, and yet not nearly as titillating as you might suppose. Considering the subject matter, there's surprisingly little nudity and practically nothing graphic,' The Hollywood Reporter explained. 'It would help if an actual woman stopped miming fellatio and did something interesting for a minute or two,' The Los Angeles Times brutally shared. Meanwhile, others said it 'didn't reveal many secrets'. Despite this, reviews from fans were glowing. 'I managed to watch the entire show, all three seasons, in the space of one weekend. Billie Piper was flawless. I loved this show, definitely one of my favourite series' out there, and probably will be for a long time. It's down to earth, gritty and real,' ciara0404 posted on IMDB. 'The show is a full-blown intimate and sexcapade that is quite honestly, brilliant. Forget your 50 Shades of Grey… this British programme will open your eyes into lives that you had heard about, never fully believed, but will blow your mind with every episode,' stampsfightclub shared. 'This series is very provocative, but overall, it's interesting and engrossing, making it a good call to watch,' blanbrn added. Although the full series is currently available on Netflix, it will be taken down very soon, with fans and new viewers only able to binge it until May 28. The first season of Secret Diary of a Call Girl attracted an average of 1,242,125 viewers in the UK. Meanwhile, when premiering in the United States on Showtime, it debuted to the highest ratings the cable channel had seen in four years for a television premiere. More Trending After working together on this series, Billie and Lucy went on to team up again on I Hate Suzie, which ran for two seasons from 2020. That series, which followed the life of actress Suzie Pickles, whose life is thrown into turmoil when her phone is hacked and compromising photographs of her are leaked, was praised by critics and nominated for four Baftas and an International Emmy. Secret Diary of a Call Girl leaves Netflix on May 28. An earlier version of this story was published on May 5, 2025 . Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: Netflix star calls 'dark' show 'very different to what I was used to' MORE: Netflix viewers think WWE star is 'lucky to be alive' as move goes horribly wrong MORE: Legendary 00s EastEnders couple engaged after romantic proposal
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Netflix to axe popular 'saucy' drama with just days left to binge-watch
Billie Piper's drama Secret Diary of a Call Girl is leaving Netflix and fans only have a few days left to watch the sexy drama. Netflix fans only a short time left to enjoy a Billie Piper drama before it's permanently removed from the streaming giant's vast catalogue of shows. Secret Diary of a Call Girl first graced our screens in 2007, airing on Showtime and ITV2, with actress Billie Piper taking the lead role just a year after her departure from Doctor Who as Rose Tyler. Piper portrayed Hannah Baxter, a woman leading a double life as a prostitute named Belle, a secret kept from her family and friends until her personal and professional worlds collide. The drama enjoyed a successful four-season run before being cancelled, and in mid-June 2024, Secret Diary of a Call Girl was added to Netflix in its entirety. Regrettably, its tenure on the streaming platform is coming to an abrupt end, with Piper's risqué drama set to depart next week. Secret Diary of a Call Girl will be removed from Netflix on Thursday, May 29, leaving less than a week for viewers to binge-watch the series before it disappears for good. The series boasts a star-studded cast featuring big names early in their careers, such as Baby Driver and Mamma Mia star Lily James and Crazy Rich Asians' Gemma Chan. Other recognisable faces include Revenge actress Ashley Madekwe, Excalibur star Cherie Lunghi, and Agent Carter actor James D'Arcy. Fortunately, there's an alternative for fans wishing to continue watching the popular series once it leaves Netflix. All four seasons of Secret Diary of a Call Girl can also be streamed for free via ITV's streaming service, ITVX. Reddit users have been expressing their fondness for the series, with one fan posting: "I watched it years ago on TV and loved it. "It was fascinating to see inside the life of a call girl. Billie Piper was great!" Another fan echoed the sentiment, highlighting the star's performance: "It had Billie Piper and was my reason to watch it back in the day." Someone else reminisced: "This was a very educational series when I was a teenager. "The fact we had a character break the fourth wall and talk to us while she performed was very interesting."
Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Netflix viewers have weeks to binge 'flawless' British drama with Billie Piper
Secret Life of a Call Girl centred around a young woman named Hannah Baxter, who lived a double life as a high-class call girl Netflix fans have a limited window to watch the "raunchy" British hit, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, featuring Billie Piper. Spanning from 2007 to 2011 on ITV2, the series draws inspiration from the blog and books by Belle de Jour, who kept her identity under wraps. Penned by Lucy Prebble, the narrative unfolds in London, following Hannah Baxter (portrayed by Billie), a seemingly average young woman leading a double life as an upscale call girl named Belle. The show delves into Hannah's dual existence, charting the entanglements that ensue as her personal and professional lives intersect. As well as Billie, the cast also includes Iddo Goldberg, Cherie Lunghi, Ashley Madekwe, Callum Blue, James D'Arcy, Lily James, Gemma Chan, and Paul Nicholls, reports Surrey Live. Netflix fans don't have long to binge all four seasons of the drama as it is set to leave the streamer on Thursday, May 29. Upon its debut, the series sparked controversy, with some accusing it of beautifying and misrepresenting the reality of sex work. Lead actor Billie countered the criticism at the time, asserting: "We've only been exposed to the drug-fuelled, sex traffic side - but the fact is, there are middle-class, cultured, well-read women who take part in this job." Secret Diary of a Call Girl seemed to leave critics divided, with Buffalo News branding it the "perfect raunchy summer television". The San Francisco Chronicle added: "Some people believe there's a self-satisfied gloss to Secret Diary of a Call Girl that undercuts its ambitions, but more often, there's surprise at how much you've underestimated its quality." Meanwhile, other critics felt that the show lacked interest and "didn't reveal many secrets". Viewers were a lot more praising of the "deliciously wicked" drama, with many sharing glowing reviews on IMDb, comparing the series to Sex and The City. One viewer enthused, "I found this show very funny and scarily honest!!" while another shared, "Always enjoyable and frequently jaw dropping, Secret Diary will invite you into the secret world of an industry and will open your eyes to those ideas and possibilities you were always uncertain about." Another fan expressed, "I recently watched this TV series and loved it. It was funny, entertaining, and had lots of romance and drama." Echoing the praise, a fourth viewer said, "I managed to watch the entire show, all four series, in the space of one weekend. Billie Piper was flawless, Iddo Goldberg was brilliant and Cherie Lunghi was perfect. "I loved this show, definitely one of my favourite series out there, and probably will be for a long time. The series is down to earth, gritty and real. I guarantee you will fall in love with the character of Hannah instantly."
Metro
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Netflix viewers have just weeks to binge ‘steamy' 00s British TV drama
A 'flawless' British drama series about the double life of a high-end call girl is leaving Netflix very soon. Based on the blog and books by the pseudonymous Belle de Jour, Secret Diary of a Call Girl ran for four seasons between 2007 and 2011. It starred Billie Piper, then best known for her music career and for playing companion Rose Tyler in Doctor who two years earlier. Written by Lucy Prebble, the series was set in London and followed Hannah Baxter (played by Billie) a young woman who lives a secret life as a call girl, under the pseudonym Belle. It charted her professional and private lives and on complications that arise when these collide. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Although the show found itself under fire by some who claimed it glamourised and was a misrepresentation of sex work, Billie fired back. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'We've only been exposed to the drug-fuelled, sex traffic side – but the fact is, there are middle-class, cultured, well-read women who take part in this job,' she said at the time. The first season of Secret Diary of a Call Girl divided critics. 'It's close to perfect raunchy summer television,' Buffalo News wrote in its review. 'It's eye-opening stuff, at least some of it, and yet not nearly as titillating as you might suppose. Considering the subject matter, there's surprisingly little nudity and practically nothing graphic,' The Hollywood Reporter explained. 'It would help if an actual woman stopped miming fellatio and did something interesting for a minute or two,' The Los Angeles Times brutally shared. Meanwhile others said it 'didn't reveal many secrets'. Despite this, reviews from fans were glowing. 'I managed to watch the entire show, all three seasons, in the space of one weekend. Billie Piper was flawless. I loved this show, definitely one of my favourite series' out there, and probably will be for a long time. It's down to earth, gritty and real,' ciara0404 posted on IMDB. 'The show is a full-blown intimate and sexcapade that is quite honestly, brilliant. Forget your 50 Shades of Grey… this British programme will open your eyes into lives that you had heard about, never fully believed, but will blow your mind with every episode,' stampsfightclub shared. 'This series is very provocative but overall, it's interesting and engrossing, making it a good call to watch,' blanbrn added. Although the full series is currently available on Netflix, it will be taken down very soon, with fans and new viewers only able to binge it until May 29. The first season of Secret Diary of a Call Girl attracted an average of 1,242,125 viewers in the UK. More Trending Meanwhile when premiering in United States on Showtime, it debuted to the highest ratings the cable channel had seen in four years for a television premiere. After working together on this series, Billie and Lucy went on to team up again on I Hate Suzie, which ran for two seasons from 2020. That series, which followed the life of actress of Suzie Pickles whose life is thrown into turmoil when her phone is hacked and compromising photographs of her are leaked, was praised by critics and nominated for four Baftas and an International Emmy. View More » Secret Diary of a Call Girl is leaving Netflix on May 29. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
