The BBC has officially released the trailer for its much-anticipated queer coming-of-age drama What It Feels Like For a Girl, set to launch June 3 on BBC iPlayer. Based on the acclaimed memoir by writer and journalist Paris Lees, the eight-episode series offers a raw and colorful glimpse into early 2000s queer youth culture in the UK.
Escaping the Ordinary
At the heart of the story is Byron, played by Ellis Howard, a teenager aching to escape the suffocating grip of a small post-industrial town “that hasn’t been the same since the coal mine shut down in the ’80s.” Desperate to find meaning—and a way out—Byron dives headfirst into Nottingham’s underground queer nightlife, where things move fast, fierce, and fabulously out of control.
According to the BBC’s official synopsis, “Byron needs to get away and doesn’t care how.” And so, life spirals into a thrilling cocktail of late-night raves, found family chaos, and personal reckoning.
Meet the Fallen Divas
Once in Nottingham, Byron encounters the magnetic and mysterious Lady Die (Laquarn Lewis), along with fellow misfits Sticky Nikki (Alex Thomas-Smith) and Dirty Damian (Adam Ali). Together, they form the “Fallen Divas,” a gang of queer partygoers surviving by any means necessary. The crew begs, borrows, and hustles their way through the pulse of the early 2000s club scene.
An icy rivalry emerges between Byron and acid-tongued scene queen Sasha (Hannah Jones), while a romance with dangerous bad-boy Liam (Jake Dunn) sets the stage for a shocking and transformative twist.
Star-Studded Cast and Electric Vibes
The ensemble cast also includes Calam Lynch as Max, Dickie Beau as Peter, and appearances from Emma Shipp, Sekou Diaby, Laura Checkley, Oliver Huntingdon, Lorn Macdonald, Rhys Connah, Fay Ripley and Selina Mosinski.
The series promises “a rollercoaster ride of hedonism” with strong themes of escapism, identity, and emotional survival—delivered through equal parts glitter, heartbreak, and wild abandon.
A Memoir Brought to Life
Paris Lees, who both wrote the original memoir and serves as a producer on the project, brings an intimate and unflinching perspective to Byron’s world. Her story—translated to screen with style and grit—resonates deeply in an era where queer voices continue to fight for space and visibility.
What It Feels Like For a Girl premieres all eight episodes on BBC iPlayer on June 3. Whether you lived through the Y2K era or just want to dance like no one’s watching, this is one ride you won’t want to miss.
