Latest news with #TheFallenDivas
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Meet What It Feels Like For A Girl creator as BBC trans drama is praised by fans
BBC's What It Feels Like For A Girl has been praised by critics for being bold and unapologetic, but who is the LGBTQ+ activist and writer behind it, and where can you watch more episodes BBC's new show What It Feels Like For A Girl has just landed ready for London's Pride - but who is the writer who's memoir it's based on? The memoir-turned-TV-show is a 'coming of age' eight-part series set in Nottingham in the early 2000's which dives into the universal feeling of 'being stuck' as a young person growing up in a small unchanged town. The show follows trans teenager Byron, played by breakout star Ellis Howard, who lives in a suffocating home with an abusive father. Finding solace with a group called The Fallen Divas, he is eventually led into exploitative sex work. Following shocking events, Byron, assigned male at birth, transitions into a woman. RadioTimes reported creator Paris Lee asking: "Who can't identify with that feeling of being stuck when you are younger, trying to figure things out?". The author decided "it was important to show the journey of Byron, owning their sexuality and trying to discover their sexuality whilst figuring out their gender." . Unapologetically, the working-class experience appears integral to Lee's adaption, where she said: "This is a working-class story. This isn't a cosy middle-class drama. There are plenty of those on television, this offers something different". Who is Paris Lees? An accomplished presenter and journalist, Paris Lees, 38, is the author behind the 2021 memoir What It Feels Like for a Girl, now a series adaption on exploring gender identity, sexuality, class and relationships. Widely published, Lees has written for Vogue, Gay Times, PinkNews, Diva, and Vice, to name a few. Notably, the LGBTQ+ activist founded META, Britain's first magazine focused on the trans community, and became the first trans woman to present on BBC Radio 1 and Channel 4, and the first openly transgender panellist on Question Time. Lees - from Hucknall, Nottinghamshire - produced insightful documentaries The Hate Debate and My Transgender Punk Rock Story, exploring trans experience. Who is Ellis Howard? Ellis Howard is a 28-year-old Liverpudlian who plays Byron in What It Feels Like For A Girl. With dreams of his name "to be uttered anywhere near Jodie Comer or Stephen Graham," the actor is on his way up as Lee's lead in BBC's newest and more 'out-there than usual' show. After a five-stage audition, Howard became the perfect choice to present the experience of being working class, queer, and transitioning later in life. Speaking to The Standard, he said: "It doesn't feel like a BBC show. It feels very dangerous in its proposition. It's a valiant cry from a council estate. It's unashamed, and unrelenting. I thought, 'Whoa. I can't believe they're making this. I just have to be involved in any way, shape or form.'" Where can you watch What It Feels Like For A Girl All episodes of What It Feels Like To Be A Girl are available on BBC iPlayer, as the first two episodes already broadcasted on BBC Three and BBC One. The third instalment will air on June 10 at 9pm on BBC Three.
Elle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
‘What It Feels Like For A Girl': Meet The Cast And Characters Of BBC's 'Visceral, Wild' New Drama
Since its resurgence, the Y2k wave has shown no signs of slowing down, be it in fashion and culture, and such is the case in BBC Three's latest drama, What It Feels Like For A Girl. The show is set in the early 2000s in Nottinghamshire, through the eyes of teenage Byron who is beginning to grapple with his sense of identity and sexuality in a small regressive town that doesn't seem to accept nor tolerate him. Byron yearns for life beyond what he knows. His journey of self-discovery and eventual transition into a woman begins when he becomes a part of 'The Fallen Divas', a queer group of teens who riotously and often dangerously, together, begin to come into their own through a series of alcohol and drug-fuelled escapades. Based on Paris Lees' coming-of-age memoir of the same title, the series has already been heralded as one of this year's leading drama - a title which is largely in part due to the series' cast ensemble. From breakout actors Ellis Howard, Laquarn Lewis and Hannah Jones to the more seasoned, including Michael Socha, we break down all there is to know about the cast and characters of What It Feels Like For A Girl. FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE Who is Byron? The series' protagonist - a teenager living in a small town where no one seems to understand their gender expression and identity. That is until he meets the Fallen Divas, a queer group of friends who, together, are able to grow into their identities. Who is Ellis Howard? A breakout actor, Howard has previously starred in Red Rose, Romeo & Juliet and Catherine The Great Who is Lady Die? Big on fashion and style, Lady Die is one of the central members of the group, similar to Byron, she is very much ready for all things fun and wild. Who is Laquarn Lewis? An actor from Nottingham, Laquarn is best known for starring in the TV series Jamie Johnson. Who is Sasha? Another member of the group, Sasha can often come across as brash and aggressive, but is quite sensitive and caring, especially when it comes to her friends. Who is Hannah Jones? She is an actor, who made their debut on screen role in What It Feels Like For A Girl. Who is Dirty Damian? A member of The Fallen Divas, and similar to Sticky Nikki, he is one of the more well-behaved members of the group. Who is Adam Ali? He is an actor and director who is best known for appearing in Waterloo Road and Europa. Who is Sticky Nikki? She is slightly older than the girls, meaning she often approaches their wild behaviour with a sense of empathy, understanding and support. Who is Alex Thomas-Smith? They are a singer, dancer and actor who has appeared in a number of on stage and screen projects including The Cereal Café at The Other Palace, Bat Out of Hell and The Revenge Files of Alistair Fury. Who is Steve? He is Byron's father, who is dissaproving of their femininity and lifestyle, causing the pair to have a strained relationship. Who is Michael Socha? A seasoned actor, Socha has starred in the likes of Summer, This Is England, Being Human and Once Upon In Wonderland. Who is Lisa? She is Byron's mother, who has tried her best to raise Byron in the way she best believes, but often falls short of understanding and accepting his gender and sexuality. Who is Laura Haddock? She is an actor best known for appearing in White Lines, Guardians Of The Galaxy and Transformers: The Last Knight.
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
How to watch 'What It Feels Like For A Girl' online and from anywhere
At the turn of the Millennium, teenager Byron (Ellis Howard) discovers that in order to find themselves, they have to lose themselves in this journey of love, danger, self-discovery and self-destruction. Here's how to watch 'What It Feels Like For A Girl' from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for FREE! "What It Feels Like For A Girl" premieres on Tuesday, June 3 at 9 p.m. BST.• WATCH FREE — BBC iPlayer (U.K.)• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free Inspired by the memoir by Paris Lees, the new coming-of-age drama follows Y2K teen Byron as they yearn to escape their small, run down, ex-mining town. Travelling to Nottingham, Byron is immersed in a hedonistic underworld, and is soon taken under the wing of chaotically fabulous gang 'The Fallen Divas,' led by podium dancer Lady Die (Laquarn Lewis). However, when bad-boy Liam (Jake Dunn) enters the scene, events occur that will change things forever. Set in the kinetic early 2000s U.K. club scene, 'What It Feels Like For A Girl' is a bold exploration of growing up and coming out that star Howard calls 'anarchic, punk and edgy, but also joyful.' The new drama promises to be a thought-provoking and unapologetic tale of gender identity, sexuality, friendship and love. Read on to find out how to watch 'What It Feels Like For A Girl' online and from anywhere. "What It Feels Like For A Girl" will air weekly double bills starting at 9 p.m. BST on Tuesday, June 3 on BBC Three. All episodes will be available to stream free on BBC iPlayer from 6 a.m. BST the same day. You don't have to miss it if you a Brit abroad either because you can unblock BBC iPlayer with a VPN. Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), "What It Feels Like For A Girl" should be available to Brits no matter where they are. VPN software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you find yourself. Our favorite is NordVPN – and you can find out why in our NordVPN review. There's a good reason you've heard of NordVPN. We specialize in testing and reviewing VPN services and NordVPN is the one we rate best. It's outstanding at unblocking streaming services, it's fast and it has top-level security features too. With over 5,000 servers, across 60 countries, and at a great price too, it's easy to recommend. Get 70% off with this NordVPN deal Using a VPN is incredibly simple, just follow these steps. 1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite. 2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're away in the U.S., and want to view your usual U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list. 3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to BBC iPlayer and watch "What It Feels Like For A Girl". Although the book was a global hit, there's no news on international streaming for "What It Feels Like For A Girl." We'll be sure to update this section when we know more on global broadcasts for the BBC drama. Watch free now: If you are a Brit abroad, you can still watch the show by using a VPN such as NordVPN to unblock the free BBC iPlayer platform. All eight episodes of "What It Feels Like For A Girl" will land on BBC iPlayer at 6 a.m. BST on Tuesday, June 3. The linear TV schedule for the series can be viewed below. International release dates are TBC. "What It Feels Like For A Girl" is based on the 2021 memoir of the same name by trans writer and activist Pairs Lees. You can buy it on Amazon. Lees was the first trans columnist at"Vouge," and the first trans woman to present shows on BBC Radio 1 and Channel 4. We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Wales Online
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC's What It Feels Like For A Girl: Plot, how to watch and full cast list
BBC's What It Feels Like For A Girl: Plot, how to watch and full cast list Get ready to be transported in time, not too far back in time though, to the early 00s with the new BBC drama. What It Feels Like For A Girl, a new BBC series based on the memoir of Paris Lees (Image: BBC/Hera/Enda Bowe ) Set in the Nottingham club scene (despite being partially filmed in South Wales), at the beginning of the millennium, you know that the new BBC coming-of age series is going to have an amazing soundtrack and have some iconic early 00s outfits. What It Feels Like For A Girl, t he BBC adaptation of Paris Lees memoir has been described as a "wild, anarchic Y2K spin on a coming-of-age drama." With less than a week to go before it is on our screens we thought we'd give you the low down on what the series is about how you can watch it. So here is everything you need to know about BBC's What It Feels Like For A Girl. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter The plot The story itself follows Byron, played by Ellis Howard, a teenager stuck in a small working-class town that hasn't been the same since the coal mine shut in the 80s. When trying to leave their small town, they then discover the wild world of the UK's club scene after meeting a chaotic family of trouble makers called "The Fallen Divas." 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. 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." Article continues below Ellis Howard will be playing lead character Byron. (Image: BBC/Hera/Enda Bowe ) The series is an adaptation of the memoir of the same name by author and journalist Paris Lees, who also assisted in writing the series. She was thrilled with the idea of an adaptation to give trans women a voice on TV. She said: "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." How to watch You can watch all eight episodes of What It Feels Like For A Girl on BBC iPlayer on Tuesday, June 3 when the entire boxset launches on the platform at 6am. Later that night, the first and second episode of the series will air on BBC Three at 9pm and then 9.45pm. Following the launch on BBC Three, the two episodes will launch on BBC One at 10.40pm and then 11.25pm. Full cast list Ellis Howard as Byron Laquarn Lewis as Lady Die Hannah Jones as Sasha Jake Dunn as Liam Adam Ali as Dirty Damian Alex Thomas-Smith as Sticky Nikki Michael Socha as Steve Laura Haddock as Lisa Hannah Walters as Mommar Joe Article continues below Calam Lynch as Max 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.
