Ellis Howard (Byron) (credit: BBC/Hera)
What It Feels Like For A Girl - a wild, anarchic Y2K spin on a coming-of-age drama, inspired by the acclaimed memoir of the same name by the award-winning writer and journalist Paris Lees. Made by Hera Pictures (Mary & George, Temple, Hamnet) for BBC iPlayer and BBC Three, the eight-part series is adapted for television by Lees and lead director Brian Welsh.
It's a new millennium - Madonna, Moloko and Basement Jaxx top the charts, and there's a whole world to explore. But teenager Byron is stuck in a small working-class town that hasn’t been the same since the coal mine shut in the 80s. Sick of mam, sick of dad, sick of being beaten up for "talkin' like a poof". Sick of everyone shuffling about like the living dead, going on about kitchens they're too skint to do up and marriages they're too scared to leave. Byron needs to get away, and doesn't care how.
Life explodes in a rush when Byron escapes to Nottingham's kinetic underworld and discovers the East Midlands' premier podium-dancer-cum-hellraiser, the mesmerising Lady Die. Byron is adopted into Lady Die’s hilarious and chaotic family of trouble-makers – “The Fallen Divas”. Between them, they beg, steal and skank their way on a rollercoaster ride of hedonism at the heart of the UK’s early 2000s club scene.
The party can't last, though, and when Byron is seduced by bad-boy Liam, a shocking encounter occurs that will change life forever.
Joyful, frank and packed with memorable characters, What It Feels Like For A Girl is a journey of love and danger, self-discovery and self-destruction. Because to find yourself sometimes you need to lose yourself...
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Meet the cast and creatives
Ellis Howard (Byron)
Can you tell us where we find Byron at the beginning of the series?
Byron is at school, without much of a system, bouncing between their mum’s, dad’s and Mammar Joe’s homes with a desperate internal desire to escape. 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.
Can you tell us about Byron's friendship with the Fallen Divas?
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 Divas are liberating, loud, anarchic and joyful; to Byron, they represent a port to being who Byron wants to be.
What has it been like working with your co-stars?
We have such a brilliant ensemble of cast and crew, and I love them all. When it comes to queer liberation, I never had the space in my life to go on the journey that Byron goes on. Throughout my childhood, I tried to suffocate those things and package them away in a way that would enable me to get through life safely. It's amazing to have so many queer people in the crew who will watch the scenes and have conversations, it felt like a family had formed on set. I hope that this transpires to lots of other queer youth, giving them a port to liberation that I didn't have when I was growing up. I hope that this show can be a vessel for others in the same way it has been for me personally, playing Byron.
Have you worked closely with Paris Lees when it came to creating the character of Byron?
In addition to reading Paris’s memoir, I got to spend a lot of time with her across the process. She's one of our executive producers, and she is the heartbeat of this show. Paris has a voice that is very seldom seen on screen, she is the ultimate driving force of this project. I feel incredibly grateful to be part of it.
How would you describe the tone of the show?
Loud! 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.
Why do you think it's such an important time to be telling the story now?
To have Paris spearhead, create, and executive produce the show is such an important moment in our culture. It's our responsibility to tell a vibrant, authored story about the trans experience. It's also a story about class and the way we treat and forgive each other. This series looks at the way people's lives operated in the 2000s, with many aspects still relevant to this country today. I grew up super-working class in Liverpool during the Y2K era; the way we shot this show feels like a life that I have lived and still live.
How is Byron's journey of self-discovery highlighted through costume, hair and makeup?
The team have done an amazing job illustrating the journey of Byron. There is a real volatility to the series; you see the nuanced highs and the lows, and it’s totally represented through costume and makeup. It’s an important part of the show. You see some incredible Y2k cool looks, alongside moments where gender really must be suffocated, because the series is set in a part of culture and politics where self-expression isn't paramount.
What would you take if you could steal an item of clothing from Byron's wardrobe?
Nirage Mirage’s costume designs are incredible. Byron’s wardrobe has changed the way I feel about myself. As Ellis, I would never have had the courage to wear these outfits. However, having played Byron, I now have the confidence to wear these outfits and paint with every colour in the chart. Nirage and the makeup team have given me access to reinvention, which I want to feel in my own life. I hope the show inspires others to be as outrageous and as bold as possible because we only have one life.
Have there been any locations or set designs that stood out to you?
With the production designer, Gem Randall, the tone of the show is so imbued everywhere we go. Every set is in the boldest of colours, and when you walk in, you want to be in the space and live inside this world. The space asks you to be your loudest, boldest version of yourself.
What do you hope viewers take away from the series?
The show is a marbled experience. For some, it may provide them with a port in thinking about gender and sexuality or reflect on how you show up both in the world and in friendships. For others, it may be about class or how you forgive your family and find your own family. There is so much familial politics in the show that is so deep and nuanced. I hope audiences watch the series and have a laugh. This is a show that is incredibly funny, acerbic and witty, it has a cheekiness and naughtiness to it. It’s a look at some of the extreme topics in modern Britain, which we're still wrestling with as a society and often have a stuffiness towards.
Laquarn Lewis (Lady Die)
Can you describe your character Lady Die?
Lady Die is eye-catching, fashionable, and super stylish. She’s over-caring, loving, fun, wild and crazy! From the moment I read the script, I connected with her energy instantly. You can ask anyone on set, I’m loud and full of energy. While I didn’t get to read the full script at first, I fell in love with her character throughout that process. I could relate to her, as in some ways, she is caring and has a loving nature. She’s someone everyone would want as a friend, and that’s what I love about her.
How would you describe the tone of the show?
I wouldn’t say there’s just one tone to the show, but rather multiple tones. There are moments of poignancy, vulnerability, and clever contrasts in how these moments are delivered. The show covers a lot of complex topics; the characters go through both incredibly joyful and incredibly dark experiences. The series shows the struggles of dealing with difficult situations. Each character is on a unique journey. For example, Lady Die and Byron have very different paths, but they share some similarities too. So, you’ll see a lot of shifting tones. At one moment, audiences might be on top of the world, and the next, they might be taken by surprise. It’s like a rollercoaster ride, honestly.
What are the key themes in the show?
The show touches on so many important themes, which is one of the great things about it. It addresses issues like class, gender, self-identity, and self-discovery. It also dives into different types of home lives, and you get to explore these perspectives through characters like Lady Die and Byron. You’ll see how different their lives are, yet how those differences make the show so rich and diverse.
Why do you think it’s important to tell this story?
This story needs to be told, no matter the time period. Whether it’s the early 2000s, 1852, or today, the issues explored in the show are universal. I have friends who’ve expressed their true selves from a young age but haven’t always been understood. I’ve seen their journeys evolve, and it’s been so important for them to be who they truly are. This show sheds light on how society treats trans people and how those challenges affect their lives. It’s not just about what they go through, it’s about how society adds to that burden. Hopefully, it helps people learn to treat others with more kindness and understanding.
Tell us about the Divas.
The "Fallen Divas" is the name of the group, who are the IT girls of the show. First off, the Fallen Divas love a good party, dancing, drinks, and some things that may be questionable! But beyond that, the characters are all on a journey of self-discovery, and they’re doing it together. They one another, which makes them stronger as they navigate their paths. When Byron s the group, you see how they all build on who they are, relating to each other in ways that help them grow. Everyone’s got their unique qualities, but together they make the Fallen Divas the iconic group they are.
Tell me about Lady Die’s style and how that helps you get into character.
Lady Die’s style is super important for getting into character, it helps me transform. Once I start getting into makeup and costume, I can feel Lady Die taking over. I’m a little messy, so I start with the costume, then head to the makeup truck. Once the face and wig are on, it’s like I’m fully in character. I feel pretty, I feel confident, and I’m ready to go. It’s all about that early 2000s vibe, the look is so iconic, and it’s so fun to channel that energy. It helps me get into the mindset of Lady Die, who is all about boldness and confidence.
Hannah Jones (Sasha)
Can you describe your character, Sasha?
Sasha is a very proud Scouse. She's part of the Fallen Divas, which is her little friendship group. Sasha is volatile and aggressive at times. But underneath all of that, she is a real sweetheart who just wants friendship and family and love.
What drew you to the role of Sasha?
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. I think it is important, and I hope that I've brought that to her. Byron needs Sasha to be there for them and help them through their transition. But also, to help explain who they are, because Byron doesn’t have the vernacular and the education to articulate their experience. Sasha knows what that feels like, and that’s what drew me to her.
Can you describe the relationship your character has with the Fallen Divas?
It's a big group of misfits, and multiple generations of queer people and people of colour. There is a different character for everyone to relate to and someone to like and dislike in the group. There's a dynamic between Sasha and Sticky Nikki because we're the only two girls in the group, and then there’s a dynamic between Lady Die and Sticky Nikki because they are people of colour within the group. There are all these different dynamics and storylines that we can pull from, but ultimately, it’s just a very warm family.
What makes the series an important one to watch?
There's so much change going on in the trans community itself, and not just that, but in the world. I just think it's important now to get out a good message, and as much as there is dark stuff covered in the show and the characters are terrible people at times, there is so much joy and love. I think it's very important that people understand and see that trans people are just people, and there are so many more things before they are trans. For Sasha, she’s scouse, she says she’s a horrible person, and oh, she happens to be a trans woman. There are so many different facets to people than just their gender expression.
What are the key themes that audiences should take away from the series?
I hope that audiences take away an understanding of friendship, sisterhood, family and chosen family as well. It's such an important experience in the queer community to have a chosen family when your family might not accept you, or you just don't have family. There are stories to be told that aren't being told that show that queer people are just like everyone else. We do the partying, the drinking, everything else that straight people do. It just so happens that we are queer. I hope that people take away that there is no difference between queer people and straight people.
Jake Dunn (Liam)
What were your first impressions of the script?
My first impression of the script was a sense of familiarity. I’m from Nottingham and grew up there, living there until I was 19. The places mentioned, Sherwood, Hucknall, St. Anne’s felt very familiar to me. It was strange reading about places I know so well. At the same time, it introduced me to a world I hadn't really encountered before: the darker, underground side of Nottingham life. Growing up in the noughties, my teenage years were about a decade later, so there were aspects of the script that were both familiar and very different. A lot of things in Nottingham have stayed the same over the 10 years between my teenage years and Paris's, but some things are worlds apart. It was fascinating to explore.
What drew you to the role of Liam?
It’s a bit hard to pinpoint exactly what drew me to Liam. As an actor, you audition for a lot of roles, and every so often, one really stands out as special and something you hope to get. With Liam, I was just hoping I’d be lucky enough to land the part, and somehow, I did. Liam’s a complicated, intense character, and while we share some similarities like being from Nottingham and being in our early 20s. He’s also someone who is completely different from me. He’s a gangster who is involved in some dark stuff. Playing someone so different was a real challenge. Paris has written such a detailed, unique character, and the deeper I got into the role, the more questions I had about him. It was a gift as an actor to even audition, let alone get the part.
Can you tell us about Byron and Liam’s relationship?
It’s definitely a rollercoaster. There’s a part of Liam that recognises Byron. There’s an infatuation between them, and it becomes a kind of obsession. For Liam, this relationship swings from real loss to hatred, and it’s cyclical, which makes it so exciting to play. Getting to work with Ellis Howard, who plays Byron, was such a rewarding experience, as Ellis is an actor who is impulsive and always in the moment. I feel like we explored the relationship between Liam and Byron much more than I initially thought we would, and it was amazing to dive deeper into that.
How would you describe the tone of the show?
The tone is provocative, playful, and at times, quite dangerous. There’s a lot of drama and intensity. From Liam’s perspective, it’s a world full of danger, and it feels like a rollercoaster. I really appreciate that the show is set in Nottingham, and the fact that it’s inspired by Paris Lees' early life makes it even more captivating. For me, the tone matches the music of the early 2000s; anarchic and mad. It’s an intense, whirlwind show, and it feels like it captures the energy of that era.
How does the soundtrack contribute to the show?
The soundtrack is integral to the show. Some of the music is written directly into the script. The music reflects the high-octane, aggressive, and sweaty energy of the show. It also captures the vibe of the early 2000s, which fits perfectly with the world we’re portraying. The music is vibrant, like the show’s colours and costumes, and it sets the tone. Though I haven’t seen the show yet, I know that the soundtrack and the overall aesthetic go hand in hand.
Why do you think this story is important to tell now?
I think it’s important because it highlights how much things have changed in the 20 years since the story is set. The representation of trans lives has evolved, but I think there’s still a long way to go. Watching something set in 2003 is a bit depressing in a way, but also eye-opening in how far we’ve come and how much has stayed the same. It’s an important story to tell, and Paris is such an interesting, compelling person. My whole family, who are from Nottingham, read the book because they were curious about the story. It’s dramatic, real, and full of depth, which makes it worth telling now. Ellis Howard’s performance is also incredible. He’s such a talent, and I think it’ll be exciting for people to see him in this role.
Adam Ali (Dirty Damian)
What is the premise of What it Feels Like for a Girl?
This show humanises the LGBTQ community, humanises trans people and takes you on a journey. With Byron and their friends, you see firsthand what it's like to be a kid trying to figure out who you are and have the world be against you.
Can you describe your character, Dirty Damian?
Dirty Damian is the party instigator, and he's 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. 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.
What makes this series different from other dramas?
Growing up, in all the queer shows that I watched, I always felt like the standards of beauty, the love interests, the main characters felt unattainable. It was people who didn't look like me, blue eyes, blonde hair, white skin. I never felt like I could be included in that, and it's something special about having these five besties who feel unstoppable. It’s them against the world, and there’s so much diversity within the group that there's something in it for everyone.
What makes the series important to watch?
It feels really timeless, and by that, I mean that even though it was set 20 years ago, I still felt like the series represented the stories of myself, my trans friends, and people that I watched grow up around me. So, it's relevant today and in a way that's good and bad because a lot of the issues that we're tackling in the show shouldn't be things that we're still dealing with today. Hopefully, the show will bring up conversations on how we’re dealing with trans people in this country.
Alex Thomas-Smith (Sticky Nikki)
How would you describe your character, Sticky Nikki?
Sticky Nikki is a ionate and headstrong woman who deeply values her friends, relationships, and life. She’s a little older than the other girls, which allows her to look at their more outrageous behaviour with a sense of understanding. She re what it was like to be wild, but she’s learnt how to navigate friendships with a little more wisdom. Her role is really about ing the others, encouraging them to have fun, but also imparting some of the lessons she’s learnt along the way.
What drew you to the part of Sticky Nikki?
The audition process was quite long. After reading the book, I completely fell in love with it, as it was like nothing I’d ever read before. I loved all the characters in different ways. When I spoke with the writers and producers, I realised there was a lot of room to develop Sticky Nikki. I had the opportunity to bring my interpretation to her. I love playing a character where you can shape her alongside the team, making it a beautiful collaboration where I could add elements of myself into her personality.
What is Sticky Nikki’s relationship like with the Fallen Divas?
The bond we share as the Divas is something special, and it’s very much reflected in what you see on screen. We’re a lively, unique bunch of girls, but there’s also a deep connection. It reminds me of when I was in my twenties, leaving drama school and finding my own queer community in London. I’ll never forget realising that family isn’t just about blood. It’s about the people you choose to have in your life. The Divas have become that chosen family. We’ve learnt so much from each other, and while we’re all at different stages of life, we bring unique qualities to the group. Our friendship is real, and I think that chemistry comes through on-screen. It’s electric, fiery, and just so much fun.
What are the themes of the show?
The show dives into a lot of queer issues, particularly from a working-class queer perspective. Growing up in a small town in the north, I navigated my own identity while dealing with intersections of gender, race, and sexuality. The show tackles those themes in a raw and emotional way, and what’s really beautiful is that these aren’t new stories. For many, this may feel like a groundbreaking show, and it is, but for those of us who’ve lived through these experiences, it’s a chance for our stories to be told in an authentic, powerful way.
How would you describe the tone of the show?
The tone of the show is really hard to pin down because it’s such a rollercoaster of emotions. There are so many themes, and there’s so much going on, that it doesn’t have a straightforward tone. I would say it’s raw, emotional, and beautiful. It’s fresh, groundbreaking, and something unlike anything we’ve seen before. It’s hard to summarise in one word, but it’s a show that’s best experienced by watching. It’s a unique ride.
Michael Socha (Steve)
Can you tell us where we find your character at the beginning of the series?
Steve is a father to Byron. He’s your classic strong, working-class man and is known around town 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. His frustration stems from Byron not fitting the traditional idea of masculinity, and this manifests in harsh demands for Byron to “man up.”
What is it like working with the directors and Paris Lees?
I didn’t get to meet Paris on set, but I listened to the audiobook before filming and absolutely loved it – it really helped set the tone. The directors were brilliant. We had lots of discussions about the scenes and the characters, which really helped me get into Steve’s mindset. My first scene was with Ellis and Laura, and it was tough – Steve was being so verbally abusive, and I found it hard. It usually takes me a few days to fully connect with a character, but with the directors’ , I started to understand who Steve was and how others might react to him. And after filming tougher scenes like the one I’ve just mentioned, I’d always come off set and give everyone cuddles afterwards.
What would you say are some of the key themes explored in this series?
The series is loud – and that’s part of what makes it so great. It’s raw, emotional and powerful. There’s something for everyone in this series. It dives deep into themes like class, sexuality, gender identity, friendship, and family love – all set against the chaotic backdrop of the early 2000s. What really resonates with me is how it portrays working-class life in a small northern town – a place where self-expression isn’t always encouraged or accepted. That really mirrors my own experience growing up in Derby, where anything outside the norm was seen as strange or wrong.
Why do you think it's such an important time to be telling the story now?
In today’s world, there’s so much noise – and unfortunately, I think it’s often the hateful, narrow-minded voices that get the most attention. That kind of negativity is pulling people into dark places, where entire communities are being scapegoated and villainised. That’s why stories like this matter so much. They champion individuality, self-expression, and the right to simply be who you are. We need more stories that challenge hate and promote understanding, especially now!
What do you hope viewers take away from the series?
I hope people feel inspired to be more expressive and truer to themselves. The characters in this show are so brave – especially given the time and place they’re living in. Their courage to stand out and be themselves in a world that doesn’t always accept them is what makes this series so powerful. I hope it encourages others to do the same.
Hannah Walters (Mommar Jo)
Can you tell us where we find your character at the beginning of the series?
We find Mommar Joe at the beginning of the series doing what she does best, ing and worrying about Byron. She worships them and would do anything for them, they live together and she’s just navigating what that entails.
Can you tell us about your character’s relationship with Byron and the course of their journey together?
Mommar Joe and Byron have an unconditional love for one another and a bond so deep and strong. She adores Byron and would walk to the ends of the earth for him. They have a fun time together and Byron feels comfortable with Mommar Joe to be their true authentic self with no judgement. Mommar Joe is a constant, a rock of . She may be a worrier and has a nervous quality about her, but when it comes to Byron her maternal instincts are always forefront even though she’s not their mum, there is an unbreakable bond between them.
What has it been like working with your co-stars and filming?
Working with everyone in the show was an absolute honour and privilege and a cracking laugh too! To have scenes with the Fallen Divas was truly joyful, Hannah, LaQuarn, Alex and Adam…. To engage and watch rising talent is a privilege and I have remained friends with many of them still. Incredible, beautiful souls.
To work with Ellis has been truly, truly wonderful, we shared many wonderful moments on screen together and his natural instinct as an actor is joyful to watch. To do a scene and know that he is fearless of playing with and seeing where different decisions took us was remarkable and as an actress that likes to take the scene in alternative directions sometimes, it was exciting and thoroughly enjoyable.
Ellis has a special place in my heart and always will have, the bond that we felt as characters, continued when scenes and filming had finished and for that I am truly thankful that our lives brought us together.
What is it like working with the directors and Paris Lees?
Working with all the directors was wonderful, it’s always nice to be able to go into different blocks while filming knowing new energies and vibes will be brought to the set. Brian was fantastic at just allowing us to find the scenes and guide us appropriately, but while still allowing us the freedom that can produce absolute nuggets of performance.
I have big respect for all three directors for this show. It was absolutely paramount for me that I embody the character of Mommar Joe for Paris. I really just wanted to show her heart, her soul, her humour and mostly her undeniable love for Byron.
I’ve since spoken to Paris who very graciously and generously thanked me for bringing truth and honesty and representing her Mommar how she hoped I would. I feel very honoured and blessed to have done that for her.
How would you describe the tone of the show?
The tone of the show is intense, energetic, thought provoking and heartwarming.
What would you say are some of the key themes explored in this series?
Love, sexuality, judgments, friendship, loyalty, finding one’s true self and the journey on the way…
Why do you think this story is important to tell now?
This show couldn't be more important at this present time, where I think the world is trying to build walls of judgement, division and hate where we had and still have mountains of love, respect and acceptance.
What do you hope viewers take away from the series?
I hope viewers take inspiration, and a love for all things bright and beautiful in this world.
Laura Haddock (Lisa)
Can you tell us where we find your character at the beginning of the series and her relationship with Byron?
Lisa is Byron’s mother, and Byron is secretly struggling with their sexuality and gender identity. Lisa and Byron’s relationship isn’t what it was, there is a lot of tension between them, and she is doing what she can to re-connect. 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. This is the early 2000s in a working-class town in the north of England – it’s pretty much unheard of. Lisa doesn’t have the capacity at this time to understand. She tries to, but in her own way. Keeping up appearances mean a lot to Lisa, she is house proud, she works, she likes to look nice. This is a terrifying concept for her to digest as it threatens everything she has worked hard for - this ‘perfect’ image, or her version of it.
What has it been like working with your co-stars and off-screen creatives?
I was obsessed with this cast and crew. We loved each other and were very ive and careful of each other on this job. I felt so close to Ellis. He’s an orchestra, he can do anything and go anywhere. I learnt a lot on this job and I’m super grateful for being part of this important story. We also had a team of amazing creatives. Starting with Paris, who was brave enough to share her story with us. She cares so much and is incredibly ionate about her story being told, it couldn’t be timelier. The directors were open and always willing to let the story breathe on set.
How would you describe the tone of the show?
It packs a punch; it doesn’t shy away from difficult truths or themes. At times we had to take a minute during filming, have a big cry, a cuddle, take a breath and start again. It was heavy and at times desperately sad. But there is so much joy in the show, laughter, silliness, freedom, playfulness, discovery.
What would you say are some of the key themes explored in this series?
Gender identity, sexuality, finding your voice, abuse. For Lisa specifically she has to overcome so many preconceived ideals. Fear- her fear of what others might think holds her back from loving and ing Byron through their journey. Lisa is capable of huge love; she is just so scared about what Byron’s choices mean for their life.
Why do you think it's such an important time to be telling the story now?
These are the stories we need to be telling, to learn. To expand our understanding of other people’s lives and what they might be going through. This is a human story about a brave, terrified young person knowing they were born into the wrong body. Imagine feeling like that? Everyday feeling like something isn’t right and it being your gender. It takes the most incredible amount of strength and bravery to decide to do something about this, to live fully in your authenticity. There has to be more comion, love and shown. Educate yourself and the people you live with, change the household’s opinions, watch the television shows, read the books, engage with communities outside of yours. We all need to do better!
What do you hope viewers take away from the series?
I hope it shows people that it doesn’t need to be this way. We can be kinder, more accepting, less fearful. Paris’s story is one that doesn’t need to be repeated if our collective human intention is acceptance and happiness.
Paris Lees – Creator, Executive Producer and lead writer
What inspired you to adapt your memoir into a television show?
I’m so excited to adapt my story to a visual medium. It has been my ion project, and it has truly become my life. This has been my first time working in television, so it’s an honour and a privilege to explore the themes and ideas from the book in this format. It’s been an incredible experience to work on such a creative project.
What is the premise of What It Feels Like for a Girl, and how does it relate to your life in Nottingham?
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.
Can you talk about casting Ellis as Byron and how important it was to choose the right actor?
I’m thrilled that we cast Ellis as Byron. Early in the process, someone from production sent me Ellis’ headshot, and something about him stuck with me. 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!
Can you discuss how the Y2K era plays such a significant role in the story?
The Y2K era was when I hit puberty, and it’s a time when everything felt so vivid. Life was filled with hormones and energy; I it all so clearly. At that point in the UK, it felt like we were making progress; we were gaining more rights, living longer, and there was more medicine. There was an undeniable energy surrounding the decade; some people have said I’ve created a unique universe, but the reality is it was just life at the time.
I also wanted to capture that moment just before mobile phones and social media, that cusp of time before we all became a bit more self-conscious and self-aware about how we were acting and how we came across. I wanted to capture that crazy, wild energy. I feel that so many young people today are attracted to that era because it just feels so different to now.
What sets the series apart from other dramas on television?
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.
Why do you think this story is important to tell now?
My primary objective with this show is that people will enjoy watching it and will be entertained; that's my primary goal. I think the series also has something to say. I think it's loud, it's unapologetic. I hope it delights and gives joy and life to audiences.
What was it like to have Director Brian Welsh on board?
I was so flattered that Brian wanted to direct this show because, for me, the series is a story about being working class, and it's so much about its visual grammar. Brian understood this, and I think that he's got a real ion for rave culture and the visual aesthetics of that. I just knew that he was the right person to tease out those more fun elements.
What do you hope audiences take from the series?
It's a universal story that I hope people will enjoy. I hope that, as well as being very unique and a very specific story that it is ultimately also received as a tale about growing up. Who can't identify with that feeling of being stuck when you are younger, trying to figure things out? It was important to show the journey of Byron, owning their sexuality and trying to discover their sexuality whilst figuring out their gender. What does that look like? What does that mean? The specificity of those experiences, I think, we have shown in a very unapologetic way. I also feel that class feeds into this series. This is a working-class story, and the themes and the sort of general energy and irreverence of the show is something I hope audiences are attracted to. This isn’t a cosy middle-class drama. There are plenty of those on television, this offers something different.
Liza Marshall and Ron O’Berst – Executive Producers
What initially attracted you to Paris Lees’ memoir?
We completely fell in love with Paris’s memoir from the first page. It has so much we’re on the hunt for in great drama – it’s thought-provoking, it has richly drawn characters, a specific point of view and a real sense of joy, empathy and humour. It’s so hard for a book to be able to make you laugh and then also to make you cry a few pages later, but the memoir does such a great job of creating that balance. The book allows you to connect with these characters on a deeply human level, to understand Byron as they go through this incredible journey that sees them escape their small town, completely lose themselves, before finding a sense of redemption and purpose. It is an incredible story, all the more incredible given that it is inspired by Paris’s real life.
How did you work alongside Paris to adapt the book into a television series?
Paris was at the heart of the creative decisions - everything from casting through to hair, makeup, costume, to choosing directors to collaborate with. It was crucial for her fingerprints to be on every single detail of the series, to make sure her vision was being realised in a way that felt authentic to her experience of this world and these characters. We worked closely with Paris on the pilot script and shaping the series, putting a team of talented writers together for Paris to collaborate with on later episodes.
Can you discuss the process of casting Byron and The Fallen Divas?
Casting was always going to be a huge challenge, particularly finding the role of Byron, who is in nearly every single scene of the series and goes on such a massive journey. We are delighted that Ellis Howard plays Byron; Ellis has brought so much to the role, he brings vulnerability, humour, joy, and so much attitude. He is a real star. Casting the Fallen Divas was also a mammoth task - to find a group of working-class actors from the queer and trans+ community who could inhabit the roles that Paris put on the page in a way that felt authentic. Our cast have done a fantastic job in bringing those roles to life, creating a real sense of attitude and specificity to the characters. They have really hit it off and are now friends in real life – we hope that chemistry comes across to audiences.
What can you tell us about the look and design of the series?
It was important for us to tell this working-class story in a way that avoided any of the kitchen sink tropes, for it to feel cinematic and stylish. We’re going back to a time when working class Northerners like the Spice Girls and Oasis were celebrated for being cool, so it was important for the look and feel of the series to reflect that. Our Directors Brian, Ping and Marie each brought something slightly different to their respective episodes, but they’ve created a stylish, cinematic visual language that runs across the entire series.
Our Production Designer Gem Randall brought such flair and meticulous attention to detail in bringing early 2000s Nottingham to life on screen through the set designs. When you look in the background of the scenes, there are all these little Easter eggs and props that, if you blink, you'll miss – Furbies, All Saints posters, alcopops, lava lamps, DVD collections. All these things feel specific to the time and make the sets pop, while feeling really lived in. Our Hair & Make-Up and Costume Designers Siobhan Harper-Ryan and Nirage Mirage have also done a wonderful job of making the characters feel very specific to the look and fashion of the early 2000s in a way that feels elevated and cool.
What is it about this story that is universally relatable?
The series is a classic coming-of-age story, a fish out of water tale about someone from a small town who doesn't fit in but goes out into the world and finds their tribe. There are so many themes that we can all relate to, such as what it's like to have your heart broken or fall in love for the first time, or feeling like you don’t fit in. Byron makes decisions that are at times destructive or that you may not agree with, but we hope the audience will still be rooting for them, as there’s so much about the character that’s so charismatic and universally relatable.
What will excite audiences about this show?
What It Feels Like for a Girl is a real rollercoaster ride – it’s a joyful, anarchic and unapologetic story about a young person living on the margins of society which is full of surprises. News stories around trans lives have become so heated and are often told from the perspective of people from outside of that community. We’re so delighted to have worked with Paris in bringing her story to life in a way that shows what it’s like to be a young person navigating the world, who happens to be trans, told from someone who has actually lived through that experience.
Brian Welsh - Director
What initially attracted you to this series?
I found the book and the early drafts of the scripts a real trip - moving, funny, relatable and packed with potential. I heard the ‘this needs to be made’ bell ringing. Then when I met Paris, I immediately felt this strong, subversive vibe, something a bit mischievous. I could tell this was going to be a show where we could really take risks. And we did. It’s bolder than what people typically expect from a traditional BBC series. It’s rare to find material in the current landscape that feels this bold, this original.
It’s also worth saying that the book resonated with me on a deeply personal level. I had a similar trajectory to Byron in my youth. I got involved with drugs and some pretty shady people at an early age, and I ended up in some wild and dangerous situations. But like Byron, I also found a space of inclusion, love, and belonging within the rave and club scene. While our lives have followed different paths, Byron’s story felt incredibly familiar, very recognisable. The themes of alienation, dissatisfaction, and a deep longing for something more, something you can't find in your immediate surroundings hit me hard.
I knew that world: the clubs in Nottingham, the journey from the ‘home’ into the city’s underbelly, and the discovery of a space that felt truly inclusive, creative, and open. But I also knew the darker side, the danger, the criminality that can come in those spaces too. That combination of escape, joy, and risk mirrored my own experience of growing up, so I felt I could bring a lot to it. But also, the stark emotional truth in Paris’ book really pulled me in.
How did you work alongside Paris to adapt the book into a television series?
I really climbed inside the book - and inside Paris’s reading of it on the audiobook. I must’ve listened to it ten times. At one point, I could probably have recited whole chapters from memory. Paris is an endlessly fascinating person - full of stories, vivid recollections, with an intense eye for detail. We met many times in person and spent hours on the phone. I listened closely as she talked about everything: the people from that time, her cultural references, the incredible clothes she wore and the music she was into.
I watched, I listened, I soaked up her energy. I tried to understand how she saw the younger Byron and to absorb everything, all the contradictions, the laughter and the grief, the joy and the rage, all those things that make us a rich and complex human. My job was to funnel all of that into something the actors could play and build a visual language that felt emotionally true to the story. She told me about her life at the time, the way she saw the world, what made her laugh, what made her angry. I was always taking notes, on what she said and how she said it, and I fed that into the conversations I had with Ellis and the rest of the divas on set.
Can you discuss the process of working with the other behind-the-camera creatives?
Trying to bring everyone along on a shared vision for a TV series is a huge undertaking - especially when it’s period-specific, spans countless locations, and is rooted in the real experiences of a living person. The world has changed so much over the past 25 years and capturing that particular moment in time - the texture, the tone, the spirit - was no small feat. I’m incredibly proud of what we created. Everyone brought a level of commitment, rigour, and ion that went way beyond the norm. People believed in this story, and I think you can see that in every frame. It’s genuinely cinematic. I was always very clear that I didn’t want to make a nostalgia fest or a fancy-dress version of the past. We were aiming for something curated - authentic, but specific, something that dovetailed with the story, something that also speaks to us today.
What can you tell us about the look and design of the series?
The show is a real mashup. It takes us from the streets and grimy public toilets of Hucknall in the year 2000 into a subterranean, psychedelic, neon-soaked, cyber-punked, illegal drug-fuelled club world and then back out into fluorescent orange industrial wastelands on the outskirts of town where dodgy things happen. There are definite echoes of Trainspotting, Noé, and Euphoria - but it’s very much its own thing. I didn’t want it to feel like a pastiche or homage. It’s gritty but surreal, bold but rooted in emotional truth. The aim was to create a world that felt immersive, heightened, and full of energy but also truthful - a ride that’s chaotic, joyful, and occasionally nightmarish. But also, original!
How was it to work with the cast?
One of the true joys of this show was working with such an incredible cast of new talent. Each of them grew into their roles with real commitment and courage. They embodied these characters fearlessly, with humour, heart, and total authenticity. I’m immensely proud of them and everything they achieved on this wild, funny, and emotionally charged show.
What is it about this story that is universally relatable?
At its heart, this is a story about finding your tribe, finding the people who truly see you. It’s about learning who you really are, finding strength in that and having the courage to be that person. It’s also about taking responsibility for your choices, your mistakes, your growth. It’s a big journey, with big themes. I think anyone with a beating heart can relate with the struggle to define yourself, and the challenge of facing up to your own flaws. What it Feels Like for a Girl is an inspirational story for all of us.
What will excite audiences about this show?
I think people will fall in love with Byron, they’ll root for them, feel for them, and go on this ride with them. There’s an energy to the show that’s genuinely intoxicating. It has a pulse, a strut, a rawness that pulls you in. Each episode has its own distinct flavour, almost like its own standalone piece. It’s truly episodic in that way, constantly evolving in tone and style, which keeps the audience on their toes. You never quite know what’s coming next, and I think that makes it a really exciting, unpredictable watch.
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