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A shout from the housing estate’ – the powerful trans teen story that doesn’t hold back
The title “What It Feels Like For A Girl” may seem innocent for a teenage TV series, but the cast of BBC Three’s latest drama insists it carries a much deeper weight since filming took place a year ago.
The show follows a teenager questioning their gender as they navigate life in a working-class town near Nottingham. This narrative comes hot on the heels of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that the 2010 Equality Act’s definition of “woman” and “sex” pertains to individuals biologically defined as women.
Despite mixed reactions to the court’s decision, some trans activists have expressed disappointment. The series’ title alone sparks controversy, drawing upon trans writer and advocate Paris Lee’s autobiography of the same name, which some argue is based on the court’s judgment.
Lead star Hannah Jones, portraying the outspoken trans sex worker Sasha, reflects on the show’s poignant timing: “The meaning of our series transformed overnight, mirroring current events. What does it truly mean to be a girl? The trans experience varies widely for many.”
In the early 2000s, the drama delves into 15-year-old Byron’s (played by Ellis Howard) journey, seeking his identity and fleeing the narrow-mindedness of his hometown. Embracing the club scene in Nottingham with “The Fallen Divas,” Byron finds solace within this unconventional group, but the harrowing world of exploitative sex work also grips his attention.
Jake Dunn portrays local drug dealer Liam, a magnetic yet sinister figure who lures Byron into a dangerous web of underage relations and sex trafficking. Liam’s hold over Byron stems from shared experiences and vulnerabilities, depicting a precarious dynamic shaped by survival instincts in a bleak environment. Dunn offers insight into Liam’s complex character, inspired by individuals from his past and a unique blend of vulnerability and coercion.
Paris Lees, the writer behind the source material, emphasizes the class transition depicted in the book, detailing her journey from working-class roots to a middle-class lifestyle later in life. This exploration of social status adds depth to the narrative, weaving a compelling tale of identity and personal evolution against a gritty backdrop
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