TV series, What It Feels Like For A Girl, nominated for four BAFTAs

TV series, What It Feels Like For A Girl, which is set in Nottinghamshire and explores trans identities, has been nominated for a fantastic four BAFTAs at this year’s Television Awards. The series is adapted from Paris Lees’ book of the same name; a coming-of-age memoir from the transgender writer, presenter and activist who grew up in Nottingham. The eight-part series was adapted for television for BBC iPlayer and BBC Three by creator, executive producer and lead writer, Paris Lees and lead director Brian Welsh.

What It Feels Like For A Girl, BBC/Hera

The series has been nominated in the Best Limited Series category, while Lees herself has been nominated for the Best Writer (Drama) category. Ellis Howard who stars in the lead role of Byron in What It Feels Like For A Girl has been nominated for Leading Actor.

The public can also vote in the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment category, in which What It Feels Like For A Girl is nominated for when ‘Byron leaves for Brighton to start uni, where she introduces herself as Paris.’

Sharing the news on social media, Paris Lees wrote: “I hope this finally kills the cruel but widely-held belief that I’m just a very pretty face with an irrepressible sexual charisma. I’m from a council estate. I’m trans. I’d never written for TV before. As far as I’m concerned, to be nominated alongside writers I deeply respect – and who’ve been doing this for decades – is a win in and of itself. If I’m ‘a first’, that says less about me and more about the barriers that keep people like me out. Some will argue it’s a box-ticking exercise. No. I had to fight to be here.

“We made a great show. Poured our hearts and souls into it. And I loved being involved in everything from casting to makeup. Now I’m BAFTA-nominated. So, to those who don’t wish me well – fuck you. It hasn’t been easy. I may have gone a little crazy. But it’s been wonderful.

“Thank you to the BBC and the many talented people – too many to list here – who made the show, and my friends and family for supporting me. I also want to thank everyone who’s messaged me over the past year, the response has healed my soul. I’m sorry I couldn’t reply to everyone. I made a promise to myself many years ago that no matter how hostile this world treats me, I would prevail, no matter what. I’ve kept that promise. See you at the BAFTAs!”

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