BBC’s Electric Coming-of-Age Tale: “What It Feels Like for a Girl”
The BBC’s latest drama, “What It Feels Like for a Girl,” is a cinematic coming-of-age story that has been making waves with its unique and poignant portrayal of a young trans girl’s journey. Based on the autobiography of Paris Lees, the drama follows the story of Byron, a young trans girl growing up in a suburban area of Nottinghamshire in the early 2000s.
According to Lees, the author of the book and a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ community, finding the right actor to play the lead role was a challenging task. “Cher did an interview and she said: ‘We just can’t find somebody that’s Cher.’ I was like: ‘Same, girl. I hear your struggles.'” Lees said in an interview with The Guardian. The role eventually went to Ellis Howard, who Lees described as “cheeky” and perfect for the part.
Lees’s early life was marked by hardship and bullying, which she recounts in her book. She was relentlessly bullied at school for being gay and carried the weight of her father’s homophobia. At the age of 14, she became a “rent boy” and was astonished when she read a review of her book that described her experiences as abusive. “It took me a while to realise that was abusive,” Lees said. “When people are vulnerable, when they’re told they’re worthless, that they’re almost half a person, you seek validation in the wrong places.”
As reported by The Guardian, Howard’s performance in the drama is being widely praised for its subtlety and daring portrayal of Lees’s journey. “In the beginning, we were looking for a trans person,” Lees said. “But then I just knew, the moment I saw Ellis, that this cheeky, cheeky person could do it.” Howard, who was born in 1997, said that he was drawn to the project because of its nostalgic value. “I’m nostalgic for a time I wasn’t born in,” he said. “Listening to P talk about the possibility of Blair and Brown, talk about a time when the NHS functioned, when school ceilings weren’t caving in on people’s heads, maybe I’ve doctored that into my brain, but I feel like I can remember a time when progress was possible.”
The drama explores themes of identity, class, and marginalization, which Lees believes are just as important as trans identity. “Often times, as an actor, as a writer, I’m thinking, who am I today? Am I this scrappy working-class kid? Or am I the sensitive queer boy?” Lees said. “And those things can’t reconcile. To be swallowed in this industry, one has to present oneself in a fixed way. Who gets to live authentically is so determined by your class.”
As noted by The Guardian, Lees and Howard both see the drama as an exploration of the marginalization of poverty, which they believe is a crucial aspect of Lees’s story. “Drama is so fucking posh,” Lees said. “I’m just so sick of it. We love all the actors with the posh accents, I get it, but let’s just make the space for some other people. It’s so boring, the Jane Austenness of it all, the comedy of manners; let’s have some real messy stories about real shit that happens.”
The drama has been praised for its unique aesthetic, which Lees described as “gorgeous” and “visually arresting.” “It’s so gorgeous to be in a working-class project that is extended beyond the kitchen sink, something that has so much colour and is so visually arresting,” Howard said. “It has a cinematic feel and scale that is normally only lent to middle-class stories [but is here] given to a working-class story set in the Midlands.”
Lees has spoken about the challenges of adapting her book for television, saying that it was like being asked to pose naked in public. “A bit like if they said: ‘We’re gonna take a picture of you naked. It’s going to be displayed in public. But don’t worry, we’re going to get good people in, you’ll have lots of creative control,'” Lees said. “Are you ever going to be happy with that picture? This is made out of my core memories.”
The drama features a talented ensemble cast, including Laura Haddock as Byron’s mother and Laquarn Lewis and Hannah Jones as the “fallen divas” from Lees’s past. Lees praised the cast, saying that they had formed their own “breakaway group” and had brought a level of authenticity to the drama that was unparalleled.
“What It Feels Like for a Girl” is available to stream on BBC iPlayer from June 3rd. With its unique blend of nostalgia, humor, and heart, this drama is set to be a hit with audiences. Don’t miss out on this powerful and poignant coming-of-age story.
In an interview with The Guardian, Lees also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to share her story with a wider audience. “I feel like I could have died, somebody could have shot me, I could have been revived on the operating table, and the headline would still be about being trans,” Lees said.
The drama is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of representation on screen. With its talented cast, unique aesthetic, and poignant portrayal of Lees’s journey, “What It Feels Like for a Girl” is a must-watch for anyone interested in drama, identity, and social justice.
As Lees noted, “It feels like there’s been a weird reversal. The public conversation in the media and politics has become very toxic. But think back: when did you ever see somebody working in Boots, that was trans, in the year 2000? When was your GP trans? When were trans people ever allowed to participate in life or society? Nobody had a job; you either had to be a prostitute or you had to not be out.”
The drama is a powerful exploration of Lees’s journey and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. With its unique blend of humor, heart, and nostalgia, “What It Feels Like for a Girl” is a must-watch for anyone interested in drama, identity, and social justice.
The Guardian has provided extensive coverage of the drama, including interviews with Lees and Howard. For more information on the drama and its themes, readers can visit The Guardian’s website.
For those interested in learning more about Lees’s story and the making of the drama, The Guardian’s article provides a detailed and insightful look into the world of “What It Feels Like for a Girl.”
In conclusion, “What It Feels Like for a Girl” is a powerful and poignant coming-of-age story that is set to be a hit with audiences. With its unique blend of nostalgia, humor, and heart, this drama is a must-watch for anyone interested in drama, identity, and social justice. Don’t miss out on this powerful and poignant coming-of-age story.
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