What It Feels Like for a Girl Review: Fearless & Disturbing TV
“What it Feels Like for a Girl”: A Raw Coming-of-age Story of gender Transition
Updated June 09, 2025
The BBC’s “What It Feels Like for a Girl” offers a distinctive take on the coming-of-age narrative. Set in early 2000s Nottingham, the series, adapted from Paris Lees’ memoir, explores the experiences of Byron (Ellis Howard) as they navigate adolescence and gender identity. This exploration of gender transition is far from typical.
Initially perceived as male, Byron’s journey involves grappling with gender dysphoria and societal expectations. The series portrays Byron’s introduction to the concept of being trans through encounters with characters like Lady Die.The show highlights the limited understanding of trans issues during that era, contrasting it with the backdrop of Y2K fashion trends.
Though, Byron’s story extends beyond gender transition. At 15, Byron’s search for their boyfriend, Max (Calam Lynch), leads them into sex work. Max becomes Byron’s pimp, exploiting their success and enthusiasm. This dark turn reveals a disturbing aspect of Byron’s youth.
After Max is warned off by Byron’s mother, Byron finds community with the Fallen Divas, a group of trans and queer individuals immersed in Nottingham’s nightlife. This world involves drug use and sexual encounters. A love interest, Liam, proposes a risky scheme to rob a client, leading to unforeseen consequences.
Byron’s choices, including sex work and perilous situations, may seem shocking. However, they are presented within the context of Byron’s life, marked by constant harassment and a lack of parental support. Byron’s grandmother provides a rare source of safety and acceptance.
Despite facing exploitation, Byron is portrayed as resilient and complex. The series explores how dressing in women’s clothes and engaging in risky encounters become acts of self-affirmation. Lady Die encapsulates this sentiment, noting Byron’s pride in being perceived as a girl.
Byron’s personality is far from simple. They are intelligent, arrogant, and witty, but also capable of cruelty. This complexity makes Byron a challenging but compelling protagonist. Howard’s performance captures Byron’s charisma and conviction.
The series concludes with a mix of redemption and loss, offering a bittersweet resolution to Byron’s tumultuous journey. While the ending provides some closure, the overall narrative remains unsentimental and morally ambiguous.
“Pride that he actually thinks I’m a girl.”
What’s next
“What It feels Like for a Girl” is available on BBC iPlayer, inviting viewers to experience Byron’s wild and complex journey of self-discovery and gender transition.