Latest news with #WhatItFeelsLikeForAGirl
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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 (@ 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.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
The new Y2K coming-of-age BBC series filmed in South Wales
The new Y2K coming-of-age BBC series filmed in South Wales The lead hopes that the show will "inspire others to be outrageous and bold" What It Feels Like For A Girl is a new BBC series based on the memoir of Paris Lees (Image: BBC/Hera/Enda Bowe ) 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 . 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. Article continues below "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." Content cannot be displayed without consent 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. Article continues below
Wales Online
5 days ago
- 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.
Metro
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
'Humanising trans people is so important right now – our BBC series does that'
'I feel incredibly grateful to be part of a show that humanises trans people at this moment,' says Ellis Howard, who takes the lead in a powerful new BBC drama. Titled What It Feels Like For A Girl, the Y2K coming-of-age eight-parter serves up heartbreak and hilarity in equal measure. It's based on the memoir of award-winning author and trailblazing trans rights campaigner Paris Lees, released in 2021 and chronicling her tumultuous upbringing in the 2000s. The drama is set to storm BBC Three next month, boasting a cast of fresh, vibrant talent all keen to remind viewers of one simple yet poignant message—trans people have always existed and will always exist. Howard, known for roles such as Red Rose (2022) and Help (2021), portrays Byron, who, desperate to break free from his small, working-class town, escapes to Nottingham's vibrant underworld on a quest of self-discovery and enlightenment. There, he discovers his people… as well as a realm of drink, drugs, and chaos in the heart of the early noughties club scene. Metro caught up with the cast ahead of the show's premiere. They shared their personal and emotional ties to their characters while also explaining how, given the current political landscape, the series really couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! 'I read the book, and I fell in love with it, and I couldn't believe that they were making it into a BBC drama, warts and all,' begins Howard. 'I couldn't believe it was gonna be on television, so I was desperate to be part of it in any way.' He adds that Paris's memoir 'touched [him]' at several points, allowing him to feel 'seen,' as if he were reading extracts from his own life. 'When they told me I got [the part], I was the happiest boy on the planet, but then I s**t myself because I was like… How the hell am I gonna do this?' While the pressure to deliver may have been immense, he had the 'safety net' of his co-stars to support him, allowing Howard to believe the extraordinary might be possible after all. The camaraderie between the young actors is evident even off the TV screen, as Jake Dunn (playing Liam), Hannah Jones (Sasha), and Laquarn Lewis (Lady Die) giggle their way through the interview after bonding over what they were all aware was a very 'special' project. Asked what drew her to the role, Jones says she was excited by the opportunity to portray a character whose trans identity is merely a 'facet' of who she is. '[Sasha] was just an unapologetic, gobby trans girl from the north. Fork found in kitchen,' she jokes. 'I had to do this for all the gobby, northern trans girls. She was great to play. 'Being trans is just a facet of her life; it just so happens that Sasha is trans. Her storyline is not trans trauma, her storyline is not a trans journey… It's her being horrible, being a sex worker, being a sister, being a best friend… 'All of this humanises the trans experience, and we've not had that before, and I think it's really important to do that right now for trans people who are struggling.' Indeed, when filming began, the climate was very different, with Joe Biden President of the United States and the Supreme Court not yet having ruled that the definitions of 'sex' and 'woman' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to 'biological sex'. 'The title of the show has a whole new meaning now,' Jones declares. 'What does it feel like for a girl? That's what's being put out into Parliament, which is why it matters for viewers to not only fall in love with our characters, but us as people.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Echoing her sentiments on why the 'humanisation' of trans folk is so key when the community is so frequently—and wrongly—demonised by bigots on and offline, Dunn argues that, while placed in 2003, What It Feels Like For A Girl is 'more forward-thinking than what's happening in 2025'. Set at a time without camera phones or Facebook statuses, but where people did fall out of nightclubs and into their own vomit without the fear of it being immortalised on the internet, the series is somewhat of an escape. 'One of the gorgeous things about the show is the specificity of seeing life through Byron's eyes for eight hours, and with that comes really deeply rooted, authored representation of people who exist, who have existed, and who still exist… which I hope provides some solace.' Trans people will exist beyond this political moment that we're in right now Howard agrees, stating that, of course, he would much rather rights and protections for trans people weren't under perpetual threat. However, he's hopeful to kickstart a movement of TV shows not only with authentic queer representation in front of and behind the camera but that explore the intersections of class, which, as he admits, can be complex and messy'. 'It's a wild, loud story, and because of the scripts and how unrelenting and how unashamed they are, you had no choice but to drop all of your veneers on set every day and show your trauma, and we were doing that day in, day out, so we all felt like we were doing something really special.' Following production, Donald Trump reentered the White House for a second term, bringing with him a host of divisive beliefs and dangerous policies posing a risk to minorities. 'Despite that, we do know that society can rearrange itself, which can be a beautiful thing,' Howard reasons. 'Trans people will exist beyond this political moment that we're in right now. And if we can provide some relief in the meantime, then merry f***ing Christmas!' More Trending Indeed, it's a scary time to be trans; hence, communities and sisterhoods can and do often save lives, with Howard hoping audiences are inspired to reach out to their own 'tribes'. 'We live in deeply perilous times, but we have to have some sort of joy and humour; otherwise, what are we fighting for?', Howard states. 'The rebellion can be stylish, and it can be cool, and it can be fun, and it can be wild, and on Poppers. We have to find light and shade, and build up that queer resilience, and queer resilience is exactly what we need right now.' What It Feels Like For A Girl lands on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on June 3. 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: Gary Lineker forced to improvise as final Match of the Day nearly went wrong MORE: Former CBBC child star reveals she's been diagnosed with perimenopause at 36 MORE: BBC fans urge people to watch crime series 'that's like Gavin and Stacey'
Evening Standard
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Film co-produced by Eminem to open inaugural SXSW London Screen Festival
The festival will also play host to the UK premiere of the BBC's What It Feels Like For A Girl, which is based on the memoir by journalist and trans activist Paris Lee, and the world premiere of thriller The Institute, based on the best-selling Stephen King novel.
