New to the BBC, What It Feels Like For A Girl is the new drama taking audiences on a deep dive back to the noughties – millennials stand up!
The coming-of-age show, based on the memoir of Paris Lees, explores themes of class, gender, self-discovery and identity. Paris is a journalist, presenter, author and campaigner, described by ID Magazine as ‘a voice of a generation’ becoming Vogue’s first transgender columnist in 2018.
Released in 2021, Paris’ memoir pulls readers into her world, growing up in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, uncovering her British trans experiencing growing up in living a life she didn’t want to, as a boy called Byron (the fictional name she uses to talk about her pre-transition self).
Now, her story has been brought to screen. With Paris as executive producer the 8 part series, What It Feels Like For A Girl follows 15 year old Byron, aged 15, caught between the homes of his mum, dad and gran, finding ‘freedom’ in Nottingham’s underground club scene.
The series doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality of navigating the world that shaper her, telling a raw story that is love overdue, and already it's pulling in amazing reviews from critics.
Meet the Cast
Ellis Howard
Ellis Howard plays Byron in the show, a teenager at school who is pulled between different homes while struggling with his own identity.
The role was inspired by the life of Paris Lees, the author and campaigner who was the first trans woman to present shows on BBC Radio 1 and Channel 4. Speaking about the role, Howard said: 'Byron is at school, without much of a support system, bouncing between their mum’s, dad’s and Mommar Joe’s homes with a desperate internal desire to escape,' continuing '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.'
Howard has had roles in the TV series Red Rose (2022) and the film Romeo & Juliet (2021).
Laquarn Lewis
Laquarn Lewis takes on the role of Lady Die, a podium dancer in the nightclubs of Nottingham.
'Lady Die is eye-catching, fashionable and super stylish,' Lewis says of her character. 'She’s over-caring, loving, fun, wild and crazy. I could relate to her, as she has a loving nature. She’s someone everyone would want as a friend, and that’s what I love about her.'
Lewis previously played Elliott in the television series Jamie Johnson.
Laura Haddock
Laura Haddock plays Lisa, Byron's mum who is struggling with her relationship with her son.
'Lisa is Byron’s mother, and [with] Byron secretly struggling with their sexuality and gender identity, [their] relationship isn’t what it was,' says Haddock. 'She also feels like she’s done the hard bit bringing them up and she deserves to have a life now. Their relationship is really strained; she is struggling to understand Byron and accept who they want to be.'
You might recognise Haddock from her starring roles in films such as Guardians of the Galaxy, The Laureate and Downton Abbey: A New Era. She has also had starring roles in Da Vinci’s Demons, White Lines and The Recruit.
Michael Socha
Bryon's father Steve is played by Michael Socha, a working class man known locally as 'Hucknall’s most feared man.'
'He struggles to accept Byron’s femininity and is determined to toughen them up, which can come across as aggressive and even violent at times,' said Socha speaking about his character. 'His frustration stems from Byron not fitting the traditional idea of masculinity, and this manifests in harsh demands for Byron to "man up."'
Jake Dunn
Jake Dunn plays Liam, a 'bad-boy' figure who Byron is drawn in by. 'Liam’s a complicated, intense character,' says Dunn. 'While we share some similarities, like being from Nottingham and being in our early twenties, he’s completely different from me. He’s a gangster who is involved in some dark stuff.'
Jake has also had roles in Renegade Nell and Get Even.
Hannah Jones
Hannah Jones plays trans girl Sasha, who is part of the Fallen Divas who take Byron in. Speaking about her role, Hannah explained Sasha is a 'proud scouse' who is 'volatile and aggressive' at times.
'I just think she's a great person, as much as she is a terrible person. There’s so much underlying love and misunderstanding of her personality, and she goes through so much trauma and strife in her life,' Jones said.
Alex Thomas-Smith
Alex Thomas-Smith plays Sticky Nikki, who is a slightly older member of the Fallen Divas. 'Sticky Nikki is a passionate and headstrong woman who deeply values her friends, relationships and life' says Thomas-Smith when speaking about her role. 'She’s a little older than the other girls, which allows her to look at their more-outrageous behaviour with a sense of understanding. Her role is about supporting the others, encouraging them to have fun, but also imparting some of the lessons she’s learnt along the way.'
You might recognise Alex from her roles in Dixi and The Revenge Files of Alistair Fury.
Adam Ali
Ali plays Dirty Damian, a 'party instigator' who is always there for the Fallen Divas. 'The girls are protective of each other, and I feel like Damian and Sticky Nikki are the good ones. They are a bit more behaved and sensible. They've got work in the morning when the party is coming to an end,' Ali said. 'They know it's time to go home, and the other three are more party-oriented. The Fallen Divas are also a very tight-knit family, and they're there for each other when things get hard.'
Ali is best known as Kai Shariff in Waterloo Road.
What are the reviews for What It Feels Like For A Girl?
Despite only being out for two days, the show has gone down a storm with critics. The Guardian gave the show four stars, writing that the show is a 'memorably complex psychological portrait will be your reward.'
The Telegraph gave the show four stars, describing the show as 'snappy, addictive, often shocking.' The Independent also settled on four stars for the show. Critic Nick Hilton wrote 'at a time when the trans community are being forced to suffer almost daily indignities at the hands of Britain’s political and media establishment, the presence of What It Feels Like for a Girl feels urgent,' adding 'in a world where it is easy to feel pessimistic about the course of progress, What It Feels Like for a Girl presents an engaging – and rational – case for optimism.'
Meanwhile, the show is getting rave reviews on social media. One user wrote on X 'Watched the first episode of What It Feels Like For A Girl last night and if it were any closer to my own experiences it would be autobiographical. Incredible, crucial television.' Another simply penned 'Finished watching the Paris Lees' What It Feels Like For a Girl series. It was beautiful, start to end.' A third praised the show's nostalgic element, writing 'I loved the first 2 episodes of the new #LGBTQ series #WhatItFeelsLikeForAGirl and I can't wait to see how the story develops. I also loved the 00s soundtrack and those Bacardi Breezers because that was my drink of choice back then.'
When is What It Feels Like For A Girl on TV?
The good news is that What It Feels Like For A Girl is available to watch on iPlayer right now! It landed on the platform on Tuesday 3 June, with all eight episodes available.
The show will also air weekly double bills starting at 9pm on Tuesday, June 3 on BBC Three.