Stars: Vica Kerekes, Radka Caldová, Dana Droppová | Written by Mariana Cengel-Solcanská, Hana Lasicová | Directed by Mariana Cengel-Solcanská
Before World War I breaks out, 15-year-old Anka (Dana Droppová) swaps life in a small Slovak town with her parents for the big city of Prague, working as a maid for a wealthy family. Due to be married off, daughter Resi (Radka Caldová) initially comes off as cruel but is masquerading in a social standing that expects a lot from her. As the two grow closer, they must figure out how their fledgling relationship fits into the bigger picture.
Typically, queer stories are few and far between, but the subgenre of sapphic period drama is unusually awash with choice. Big hitters such as Portrait Of A Lady On Fire, Ammonite, and Tipping The Velvet have been cornerstones for helping young queer women to come to terms with their sexuality, and have understandably made...
Before World War I breaks out, 15-year-old Anka (Dana Droppová) swaps life in a small Slovak town with her parents for the big city of Prague, working as a maid for a wealthy family. Due to be married off, daughter Resi (Radka Caldová) initially comes off as cruel but is masquerading in a social standing that expects a lot from her. As the two grow closer, they must figure out how their fledgling relationship fits into the bigger picture.
Typically, queer stories are few and far between, but the subgenre of sapphic period drama is unusually awash with choice. Big hitters such as Portrait Of A Lady On Fire, Ammonite, and Tipping The Velvet have been cornerstones for helping young queer women to come to terms with their sexuality, and have understandably made...
- 3/31/2023
- by Jasmine Valentine
- Nerdly
Sally Woodward Gentle, who runs Killing Eve producer Sid Gentle Films, is a mischief maker with a hit on her hands. Her BBC America spy thriller is a ratings success story and she has a development drawer full of “quietly subversive” projects.
Sitting down with Deadline to discuss how the Phoebe Waller-Bridge-penned series went from development hell in Britain to a U.S. cultural phenomenon, and on how she’s getting on with season three to take advantage of the British drama boom, it’s clear that Woodward Gentle is a rabble-rouser surrounded by renegades.
Woodward Gentle has worked for some of the biggest names in British scripted television as creative director of the BBC’s in-house drama division, Broadchurch producer Kudos and Downton Abbey producer Carnival before setting up her own shop in 2013. She has worked on controversial shows, such as the BBC’s Tipping The Velvet, and...
Sitting down with Deadline to discuss how the Phoebe Waller-Bridge-penned series went from development hell in Britain to a U.S. cultural phenomenon, and on how she’s getting on with season three to take advantage of the British drama boom, it’s clear that Woodward Gentle is a rabble-rouser surrounded by renegades.
Woodward Gentle has worked for some of the biggest names in British scripted television as creative director of the BBC’s in-house drama division, Broadchurch producer Kudos and Downton Abbey producer Carnival before setting up her own shop in 2013. She has worked on controversial shows, such as the BBC’s Tipping The Velvet, and...
- 6/6/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Laurence Fox (Lewis) and Kate Fleetwood (Harlots) are joining the third season of ITV’s hit royals drama Victoria (first look pictured), with filming now underway in the UK.
Produced by Mammoth Screen as a co-production with Masterpiece, and created by writer and producer Daisy Goodwin, the new series sees Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) reprise her role as the eponymous young Queen, alongside Tom Hughes (Paula) as Prince Albert. Fox will play charismatic and wayward Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston, whilst Fleetwood will play Victoria’s mysterious sister Feodora.
Also joining the cast are actor and comedian John Sessions (The Loch) as Prime Minister John Russell, Lily Travers (Kingsman) as the Duchess of Monmouth, Nicholas Audsley (The White Princess), David Burnett (The Mummy) and Emily Forbes (Endeavour).
Starting in 1848, the third installment of the period drama will depict a turbulent and uncertain time for Europe and the monarchy. With revolutions on...
Produced by Mammoth Screen as a co-production with Masterpiece, and created by writer and producer Daisy Goodwin, the new series sees Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) reprise her role as the eponymous young Queen, alongside Tom Hughes (Paula) as Prince Albert. Fox will play charismatic and wayward Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston, whilst Fleetwood will play Victoria’s mysterious sister Feodora.
Also joining the cast are actor and comedian John Sessions (The Loch) as Prime Minister John Russell, Lily Travers (Kingsman) as the Duchess of Monmouth, Nicholas Audsley (The White Princess), David Burnett (The Mummy) and Emily Forbes (Endeavour).
Starting in 1848, the third installment of the period drama will depict a turbulent and uncertain time for Europe and the monarchy. With revolutions on...
- 5/21/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Waters’ hit novel Fingersmith, about a lesbian love affair in Victorian England, has been transported to 1930s Korea for a new film. The author explains how it remains faithful to her original
“‘You pearl,’ I said. So white she was.” With these words, Sarah Waters confirmed the arrival of a world-class writer capable of turning conventional literary erotics upside-down and inside-out. The dialogue is uttered in a scene of lesbian lovemaking that has been cited by both male and female, gay and heterosexual commentators as one of the sexiest encounters in literature.
Waters’ first two novels, Tipping the Velvet and Affinity, had signalled a powerful new voice in lesbian fiction, but Fingersmith took it to a new level, its kaleidoscopic prose and structure creating a dizzying variety of desires and perspectives. Shortlisted for the Booker prize, it was one of David Bowie’s 100 must-read novels and has had a lusty afterlife in theatre and TV.
“‘You pearl,’ I said. So white she was.” With these words, Sarah Waters confirmed the arrival of a world-class writer capable of turning conventional literary erotics upside-down and inside-out. The dialogue is uttered in a scene of lesbian lovemaking that has been cited by both male and female, gay and heterosexual commentators as one of the sexiest encounters in literature.
Waters’ first two novels, Tipping the Velvet and Affinity, had signalled a powerful new voice in lesbian fiction, but Fingersmith took it to a new level, its kaleidoscopic prose and structure creating a dizzying variety of desires and perspectives. Shortlisted for the Booker prize, it was one of David Bowie’s 100 must-read novels and has had a lusty afterlife in theatre and TV.
- 4/8/2017
- by Claire Armitstead
- The Guardian - Film News
Prithee, my lord, loosen our corsets and unbutton our breeches. This week has seen a new wave of period drama steam, from Natalie Dormer's BBC film The Scandalous Lady W to the furore about the 'pornographic' new adaptation of Lady Chatterley's Lover.
But they're hardly the first shows to bare historical breasts and bottoms. Here's our 9 favourite saucy costume dramas...
Pride and Prejudice
Ooh, Mr Darcy. We'll ease you in gently with the BBC's iconic 1995 Pride and Prejudice miniseries, fondly remembered for the scene in which Colin Firth's dashing hero takes a dip in the Pemberley lake and emerges to greet his unexpected guests, dripping like a dolphin in a wet T-shirt contest.
While it may have shocked your grandma, this is pretty tame stuff.
Tipping the Velvet
Classic 19th century literature isn't known for its portrayal of lesbian love but Sarah Waters set out to right this...
But they're hardly the first shows to bare historical breasts and bottoms. Here's our 9 favourite saucy costume dramas...
Pride and Prejudice
Ooh, Mr Darcy. We'll ease you in gently with the BBC's iconic 1995 Pride and Prejudice miniseries, fondly remembered for the scene in which Colin Firth's dashing hero takes a dip in the Pemberley lake and emerges to greet his unexpected guests, dripping like a dolphin in a wet T-shirt contest.
While it may have shocked your grandma, this is pretty tame stuff.
Tipping the Velvet
Classic 19th century literature isn't known for its portrayal of lesbian love but Sarah Waters set out to right this...
- 8/21/2015
- Digital Spy
Films about lesbians too often involve the conversion of a younger, straight woman by an older gay woman. It’s time to drop the predatory trope
I first read Patricia Highsmith’s The Price of Salt (or Carol, as the film adaptation will be called) during a year abroad in Oslo, on a course module titled homotextuality: gay and lesbian literature.
While perfecting the art of discussing explicit novels in an academic scenario (there are only so many euphemisms for orgasm), I noticed that the trope of “queer woman converts younger hetero woman” appeared frequently throughout the lesbian canon. Novels such as Tipping the Velvet and Loving Her have this narrative, as do some well-known films: the 1996 Bound, directed by the Wachowskis, and the Palme d’Or-winning Blue Is the Warmest Colour, both show ostensibly straight women embarking on relationships after a slight nudge from a lesbian encounter. Converting the straight girl,...
I first read Patricia Highsmith’s The Price of Salt (or Carol, as the film adaptation will be called) during a year abroad in Oslo, on a course module titled homotextuality: gay and lesbian literature.
While perfecting the art of discussing explicit novels in an academic scenario (there are only so many euphemisms for orgasm), I noticed that the trope of “queer woman converts younger hetero woman” appeared frequently throughout the lesbian canon. Novels such as Tipping the Velvet and Loving Her have this narrative, as do some well-known films: the 1996 Bound, directed by the Wachowskis, and the Palme d’Or-winning Blue Is the Warmest Colour, both show ostensibly straight women embarking on relationships after a slight nudge from a lesbian encounter. Converting the straight girl,...
- 7/24/2015
- by Ruby Lott-Lavigna
- The Guardian - Film News
As part of BAFTA's "In Conversation" series, Benedict Cumberbatch revealed the secret to his success. Specifically, how can one man go between absolutely killing it in stage productions to convincing Hollywood he's a man of 1,000 faces and numerous eras, from Victorian-era England ("Tipping the Velvet") to the future ("Star Trek Into Darkness")?
Simply put, it's "the blessing of having a weird face." Specifically, "somewhere between an otter and something people find vaguely attractive. Or just an otter, which is vaguely attractive!" (Yep, he knows about that otter meme.)
Cumberbatch then goes on to explain his confusion over being on "these hottie lists" after being in the biz for over 10 years with, you know, the same face he's always had. "I started out and went, yeah, I'm not a typical beauty, so basically I've got a long neck and a long face. That's usually period [pieces]. That's usually some kind of inbreeding weirdness,...
Simply put, it's "the blessing of having a weird face." Specifically, "somewhere between an otter and something people find vaguely attractive. Or just an otter, which is vaguely attractive!" (Yep, he knows about that otter meme.)
Cumberbatch then goes on to explain his confusion over being on "these hottie lists" after being in the biz for over 10 years with, you know, the same face he's always had. "I started out and went, yeah, I'm not a typical beauty, so basically I've got a long neck and a long face. That's usually period [pieces]. That's usually some kind of inbreeding weirdness,...
- 2/18/2014
- by Jenni Miller
- Moviefone
Tags: Afternoon DelightTrue BloodIlene ChaikenThe Black BoxNurse JackieOlivia MunnIMDbCate BlanchettSally HawkinsJane LynchTegan and Sara
Good afternoon, happy Friday and happy Pride Los Angeles!
Happy birthday to Sarah Parish, Kim Rhodes, Anna Kournikova and Jenny Jones!
Ilene Chaiken returns to television with The Black Box. ABC has ordered 13 episodes of the drama that centers on a neuroscientist named Elizabeth Black. Chaiken will serve as showrunner and one of the executive producers. X-Men director Bryan Singer will also executive produce the series, which is set to premiere in January 2014.
Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images
Wanna see Tegan and Sara in London? Then tweet them fast!
Tweet #CloserToTnS + #London for a chance to win 2 tix for Jun 11@troxy_london! Going to be a great show! Lots of #Heartthrob and oldies!
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) June 7, 2013
Nurse Jackie has been renewed by Showtime for a sixth season.
Olivia Munn graces the cover of July’s Flare magazine.
Good afternoon, happy Friday and happy Pride Los Angeles!
Happy birthday to Sarah Parish, Kim Rhodes, Anna Kournikova and Jenny Jones!
Ilene Chaiken returns to television with The Black Box. ABC has ordered 13 episodes of the drama that centers on a neuroscientist named Elizabeth Black. Chaiken will serve as showrunner and one of the executive producers. X-Men director Bryan Singer will also executive produce the series, which is set to premiere in January 2014.
Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images
Wanna see Tegan and Sara in London? Then tweet them fast!
Tweet #CloserToTnS + #London for a chance to win 2 tix for Jun 11@troxy_london! Going to be a great show! Lots of #Heartthrob and oldies!
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) June 7, 2013
Nurse Jackie has been renewed by Showtime for a sixth season.
Olivia Munn graces the cover of July’s Flare magazine.
- 6/7/2013
- by Bridget McManus
- AfterEllen.com
UKTV has announced new Freeview channel Drama.
The station will launch on July 8 and feature shows including Pride and Prejudice, Catherine Cookson's The Cinder Path, Sharpe, Tipping The Velvet, Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Cranford and Lark Rise to Candleford.
UKTV controller Emma Tennant said: "Drama is targeted at a different audience demographic than our other highly successful free-to-air channels, Dave, Yesterday and Really.
"The channel is aimed at people who simply love drama and want to watch critically-acclaimed shows that have absolutely defined the landscape of British television."
She added: "I am very passionate about the subject and discussing the programmes that will create Drama's schedule has just been brilliant fun.
"I'm genuinely excited about the launch of Drama both as a viewer and as controller."
General manager of drama Adrian Wills added: "Drama lovers' prayers have been answered.
"This channel represents the best drama content within the genre and...
The station will launch on July 8 and feature shows including Pride and Prejudice, Catherine Cookson's The Cinder Path, Sharpe, Tipping The Velvet, Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Cranford and Lark Rise to Candleford.
UKTV controller Emma Tennant said: "Drama is targeted at a different audience demographic than our other highly successful free-to-air channels, Dave, Yesterday and Really.
"The channel is aimed at people who simply love drama and want to watch critically-acclaimed shows that have absolutely defined the landscape of British television."
She added: "I am very passionate about the subject and discussing the programmes that will create Drama's schedule has just been brilliant fun.
"I'm genuinely excited about the launch of Drama both as a viewer and as controller."
General manager of drama Adrian Wills added: "Drama lovers' prayers have been answered.
"This channel represents the best drama content within the genre and...
- 5/2/2013
- Digital Spy
Feature Cameron K McEwan 12 Mar 2013 - 07:00
Cameron provides a ready reckoner of what we know so far about the 8 new Doctor Who episodes starting later this month...
Warning: contains potential spoilers aplenty.
We are less than three weeks away from the world's greatest television show returning to our screens and, like the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special, rumours are flying higher than a Dalek on doomsday.
But what do we actually know about the upcoming series - what is fact and what is just a made-up internet rumour? As with previous years, not all the episodes have confirmed titles (despite what other sites may say), so let's have a look at what's coming up, starting on the 30th of March.
Episode 1 - The Bells of St John
We know the opener features Star Wars: The Phantom Menace actress Celia Imrie and that it is set in contemporary London.
Cameron provides a ready reckoner of what we know so far about the 8 new Doctor Who episodes starting later this month...
Warning: contains potential spoilers aplenty.
We are less than three weeks away from the world's greatest television show returning to our screens and, like the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special, rumours are flying higher than a Dalek on doomsday.
But what do we actually know about the upcoming series - what is fact and what is just a made-up internet rumour? As with previous years, not all the episodes have confirmed titles (despite what other sites may say), so let's have a look at what's coming up, starting on the 30th of March.
Episode 1 - The Bells of St John
We know the opener features Star Wars: The Phantom Menace actress Celia Imrie and that it is set in contemporary London.
- 3/11/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Legendary British TV scribe Andrew Davies has been hired to pen a six episode TV mini-series adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's classic "War and Peace" for The BBC. The project is scheduled to air on BBC One in 2015.
The story will remain based in war-torn 19th century Russia. Many of the philosophical elements are expected to be left out, with the series focusing on the human interactions, romance and family conflicts.
Davies penned the adaptation of the original UK "House of Cards" mini-series and its two sequels, along with film adaptations such as "Bridget Jones' Diary," "The Tailor of Panama," and "Brideshead Revisited".
He has worked on numerous mini-series including 1994's "Middlemarch," 1995's "Pride and Prejudice," 1998's "Vanity Fair," 1999's "Wives and Daughters," 2002's "Tipping the Velvet," 2005's "Bleak House," 2007's "Fanny Hill," 2008's "Little Dorrit," 2008's "Sense and Sensibility" and 2011's "South Riding."
Source: The Radio Times...
The story will remain based in war-torn 19th century Russia. Many of the philosophical elements are expected to be left out, with the series focusing on the human interactions, romance and family conflicts.
Davies penned the adaptation of the original UK "House of Cards" mini-series and its two sequels, along with film adaptations such as "Bridget Jones' Diary," "The Tailor of Panama," and "Brideshead Revisited".
He has worked on numerous mini-series including 1994's "Middlemarch," 1995's "Pride and Prejudice," 1998's "Vanity Fair," 1999's "Wives and Daughters," 2002's "Tipping the Velvet," 2005's "Bleak House," 2007's "Fanny Hill," 2008's "Little Dorrit," 2008's "Sense and Sensibility" and 2011's "South Riding."
Source: The Radio Times...
- 2/18/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Tags: Florence WelchBritney SpearsJanelle MonaeShania TwainPinkJanet JacksonGrace JonesWhitney HoustonIMDbSeriously Sexy
One time on How I Met Your Mother, Barney Stinson was moved to burst into song as he contemplated the eternal struggle between his two favorite things: girls versus suits. Dearest Barney, don’t sell yourself short! It’s not a struggle between one or the other! The beauty lies in both!
Ladies in suits have been on my mind a lot lately. One doesn’t ever really need a specific reason to think about ladies in suits, just as one never needs an excuse to think about ice cream or puppies or sharp cheddar cheese or boobs or any other number of Things In Life That Are Good. Still, the cross-dressing thing has been in the forefront of my mind for a couple reasons, one being all the Tipping the Velvet talk going on last month, the other being Florence Welch,...
One time on How I Met Your Mother, Barney Stinson was moved to burst into song as he contemplated the eternal struggle between his two favorite things: girls versus suits. Dearest Barney, don’t sell yourself short! It’s not a struggle between one or the other! The beauty lies in both!
Ladies in suits have been on my mind a lot lately. One doesn’t ever really need a specific reason to think about ladies in suits, just as one never needs an excuse to think about ice cream or puppies or sharp cheddar cheese or boobs or any other number of Things In Life That Are Good. Still, the cross-dressing thing has been in the forefront of my mind for a couple reasons, one being all the Tipping the Velvet talk going on last month, the other being Florence Welch,...
- 10/19/2012
- by daffodilly
- AfterEllen.com
Doctor Who series 7 is starting to load up its guest cast for the upcoming new season, one that will bring forth a new companion for the current Doctor, Matt Smith, in the form of too cute to live Jenna-Louise Coleman (who replaces too cute Karen Gillan – see theme). BBC has released the word that Doctor Who will be a family affair in part this season, locking up appearances by both Rachael Stirling and her Dame mother Diana Rigg, who will appear for the first time on screen together (though they are both credited in In The Beginning) in the english Science Fiction series. Edit: You can see pics of the duo shooting the episode here.
related | Jenna-louise Coleman With Doctor Who Matt Smith
The BBC offers that the combo will be a “a mother and daughter with a dark secret” and that they will specifically appear in an episode with the aforementioned new companion,...
related | Jenna-louise Coleman With Doctor Who Matt Smith
The BBC offers that the combo will be a “a mother and daughter with a dark secret” and that they will specifically appear in an episode with the aforementioned new companion,...
- 7/3/2012
- by Jay Tomio
- Boomtron
Doctor Who will hang with one very groovy lady when Dame Diana Rigg aka The Avengers‘ Emma Peel guest-stars on the BBC series next season.
And joining Rigg for her trip with the Time Lord will be her real-life daughter, Rachael Stirling, the BBC reports.
Related | Doctor Who Casts New Companion: Find Out When She’ll Arrive
In an episode filming this week with series star Matt Smith and new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman, Rigg and Stirling will play a Yorkshire local and her daughter, who together share a “dark secret.”
“The first time Rachie and I will be working together...
And joining Rigg for her trip with the Time Lord will be her real-life daughter, Rachael Stirling, the BBC reports.
Related | Doctor Who Casts New Companion: Find Out When She’ll Arrive
In an episode filming this week with series star Matt Smith and new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman, Rigg and Stirling will play a Yorkshire local and her daughter, who together share a “dark secret.”
“The first time Rachie and I will be working together...
- 7/3/2012
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Royal Court; Lyttelton; Theatre503, London
Every now and then the Royal Court does this. It throws up a small-cast, depth-charge production that makes bigger dramas look over-stuffed and under-nourished. It did so metaphysically with Caryl Churchill's A Number and emotionally with Mike Bartlett's Cock. It has done so again with Nick Payne's wiry new play.
Constellations is a love story that investigates ideas about time. Or it's a look at theories about time that takes the form of a love story. It tells us that we may have no such thing as free will, but leaves its audience to make up its own mind. Following the lead given 14 years ago by Michael Frayn's Copenhagen, in which a scientific theory is demonstrated in the structure of the play that discusses it, Constellations embodies its doubts and questions. It quizzes the notion of destiny by giving alternative versions...
Every now and then the Royal Court does this. It throws up a small-cast, depth-charge production that makes bigger dramas look over-stuffed and under-nourished. It did so metaphysically with Caryl Churchill's A Number and emotionally with Mike Bartlett's Cock. It has done so again with Nick Payne's wiry new play.
Constellations is a love story that investigates ideas about time. Or it's a look at theories about time that takes the form of a love story. It tells us that we may have no such thing as free will, but leaves its audience to make up its own mind. Following the lead given 14 years ago by Michael Frayn's Copenhagen, in which a scientific theory is demonstrated in the structure of the play that discusses it, Constellations embodies its doubts and questions. It quizzes the notion of destiny by giving alternative versions...
- 1/22/2012
- by Susannah Clapp
- The Guardian - Film News
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
The next series of Skins is back on UK screens on January 23 courtesy of Channel E4. Two of the key Characters, Franky Fitzgerald, played by Dakota Blue Richards and Mini McGuinness, played by Freya Mavor spoke to us a couple of weeks ago amidst a frantic last week of filming. Speculation is rife about what will happen to their characters in series six, and indeed whether the "Minky" boat will sail or sink. Both actresses gave their perspective on all things Skins, how their characters change and how they define the relationship between their characters.
AfterEllen.com: How has your day been, Freya?
Freya Mavor: I am having a day when I am...
The next series of Skins is back on UK screens on January 23 courtesy of Channel E4. Two of the key Characters, Franky Fitzgerald, played by Dakota Blue Richards and Mini McGuinness, played by Freya Mavor spoke to us a couple of weeks ago amidst a frantic last week of filming. Speculation is rife about what will happen to their characters in series six, and indeed whether the "Minky" boat will sail or sink. Both actresses gave their perspective on all things Skins, how their characters change and how they define the relationship between their characters.
AfterEllen.com: How has your day been, Freya?
Freya Mavor: I am having a day when I am...
- 1/6/2012
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
Anna Chancellor has rarely been cast in lead roles. That hasn't stopped her starring in the current BBC drama The Hour and a double bill of Rattigan and David Hare at Chichester. But life didn't always run this smoothly...
A couple of weeks ago, Anna Chancellor was watching daytime television when her Poirot episode came on ("Every actor's been on Poirot," she says). She had recorded it in 1993 but had not seen it since and now she was quite taken aback. She plays Virginie Mesnard, a raven-haired Belgian who asks the great detective to investigate the death of a young politician (the case turns, national stereotypes be damned, on a tainted box of chocolates) and in the process becomes the unrequited love of his life. Poirot takes to wearing a lavender brooch that Virginie gave him in her memory.
"I never played the romantic lead ever," she says. "I knew...
A couple of weeks ago, Anna Chancellor was watching daytime television when her Poirot episode came on ("Every actor's been on Poirot," she says). She had recorded it in 1993 but had not seen it since and now she was quite taken aback. She plays Virginie Mesnard, a raven-haired Belgian who asks the great detective to investigate the death of a young politician (the case turns, national stereotypes be damned, on a tainted box of chocolates) and in the process becomes the unrequited love of his life. Poirot takes to wearing a lavender brooch that Virginie gave him in her memory.
"I never played the romantic lead ever," she says. "I knew...
- 8/20/2011
- by Tim Lewis
- The Guardian - Film News
Great LezBritain is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
The recent adaptation of The Night Watch on BBC2 is the fourth of Sarah Waters five books to have made the transition from page to screen, while her fifth book, The Little Stranger, will be made into a feature film sometime soon.
Waters is now undoubtedly a literary powerhouse. Her books have been lifted from the gay section of bookshops into the laps of straight women who might possibly be called Felicity and work in an office accounts department. Her previous adaptations, most notably Tipping The Velvet and Fingersmith were mightily successful, earning high ratings and high DVD sales. So in short, Waters seems a sure thing. So, with all that said, why the...
The recent adaptation of The Night Watch on BBC2 is the fourth of Sarah Waters five books to have made the transition from page to screen, while her fifth book, The Little Stranger, will be made into a feature film sometime soon.
Waters is now undoubtedly a literary powerhouse. Her books have been lifted from the gay section of bookshops into the laps of straight women who might possibly be called Felicity and work in an office accounts department. Her previous adaptations, most notably Tipping The Velvet and Fingersmith were mightily successful, earning high ratings and high DVD sales. So in short, Waters seems a sure thing. So, with all that said, why the...
- 7/13/2011
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
Veteran British TV actor Hugh Bonneville will star in the 3D steampunk action feature "Captain Nemo" for Shoreline Entertainment says Heat Vision.
The story serves as a pseudo sequel to Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and finds Captain Nemo joining forces with President Ulysses Grant to battle an evil genius who is causing naval disasters.
Pearry Teo will direct the project which begins filming in Beijing this August. Illuminate Hollywood will handle the 3D visual effects while Mark Rudnitksy and Amy Krell are producing.
Bonneville's long resume stretches back two decades and includes the likes of "Lost in Austen," "Married for Life," "Tipping the Velvet," "The Robinsons," "Bonekickers," "Courting Alex," "Five Days" and films like "Notting Hill," "Mansfield Park," "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein," "Iris," "Glorious 39" and "Burke and Hare". He currently stars in "Downton Abbey" and played a pirate captain in last week's episode of "Doctor Who".
The story serves as a pseudo sequel to Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and finds Captain Nemo joining forces with President Ulysses Grant to battle an evil genius who is causing naval disasters.
Pearry Teo will direct the project which begins filming in Beijing this August. Illuminate Hollywood will handle the 3D visual effects while Mark Rudnitksy and Amy Krell are producing.
Bonneville's long resume stretches back two decades and includes the likes of "Lost in Austen," "Married for Life," "Tipping the Velvet," "The Robinsons," "Bonekickers," "Courting Alex," "Five Days" and films like "Notting Hill," "Mansfield Park," "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein," "Iris," "Glorious 39" and "Burke and Hare". He currently stars in "Downton Abbey" and played a pirate captain in last week's episode of "Doctor Who".
- 5/15/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
Last years final airing of Big Brother UK might have been won by Queen Josie, but in truth it was lesbian contestant Shabby Katchadourian (25) who initially grabbed all of the headlines with her love confession to Caoimhe, frustrating hissy fits and endearing charm. Chances are, this is how the series would have continued if Shabby hadnt thrown one final mother of a tantrum and hot-stepped it out of the diary room door just a few weeks in.
Since leaving the house, shes been a busy girl. Like Anna Nolan a decade before her who Shabby admits was the person on TV that helped her come out - she struck a chord with a whole...
Last years final airing of Big Brother UK might have been won by Queen Josie, but in truth it was lesbian contestant Shabby Katchadourian (25) who initially grabbed all of the headlines with her love confession to Caoimhe, frustrating hissy fits and endearing charm. Chances are, this is how the series would have continued if Shabby hadnt thrown one final mother of a tantrum and hot-stepped it out of the diary room door just a few weeks in.
Since leaving the house, shes been a busy girl. Like Anna Nolan a decade before her who Shabby admits was the person on TV that helped her come out - she struck a chord with a whole...
- 1/26/2011
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
This is the first installment of a new monthly column about lesbian/bi visibility in European media by eur.Out.org Editor in Chief Saskia Joreen.
Forbidden Lesbian Love In Germany
One of the most lesbian things that has come from Europe in the past weeks is the new lesbian storyline on German soap series Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love). The show originally started back in 1995 as an adaptation of Australian soap opera Sons and Daughters. Lesbian character Carla was on the show for years and had several lovers. She got married to Susanne in 2006. The couple also had a daughter together.
Later, Carla got involved with Stella, and apart from the usual soap dramatics, this couple have been treated quite well in the series. They left the show last year to travel the world and came back later for a couple of episodes. They left again to get married in...
Forbidden Lesbian Love In Germany
One of the most lesbian things that has come from Europe in the past weeks is the new lesbian storyline on German soap series Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love). The show originally started back in 1995 as an adaptation of Australian soap opera Sons and Daughters. Lesbian character Carla was on the show for years and had several lovers. She got married to Susanne in 2006. The couple also had a daughter together.
Later, Carla got involved with Stella, and apart from the usual soap dramatics, this couple have been treated quite well in the series. They left the show last year to travel the world and came back later for a couple of episodes. They left again to get married in...
- 12/10/2010
- by Zasquia
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
Hands up — who's missing Lip Service? We feel your pain. You've most likely watched the DVD a fair few times, you're currently stalking/going to see Heather Peace gigging around the UK, Frankie is still your computer screen-saver and every now and then you still press play on your download of Roxanne McKee saying "Turn over." But try as you might, you can't shake off these Tuesday Blues. Even Gillian McKeith's pseudo fainting episode and Saturday night fixes of Minogue and Cole can’t stop you wondering: "For goodness sake, what happens next?"
Unfortunately, we can't help you with any of that. Instead, we suggest you just pull yourself together until Series Two...
Hands up — who's missing Lip Service? We feel your pain. You've most likely watched the DVD a fair few times, you're currently stalking/going to see Heather Peace gigging around the UK, Frankie is still your computer screen-saver and every now and then you still press play on your download of Roxanne McKee saying "Turn over." But try as you might, you can't shake off these Tuesday Blues. Even Gillian McKeith's pseudo fainting episode and Saturday night fixes of Minogue and Cole can’t stop you wondering: "For goodness sake, what happens next?"
Unfortunately, we can't help you with any of that. Instead, we suggest you just pull yourself together until Series Two...
- 12/6/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
Need a cheat sheet for the week’s best trailers? Here you go: We got our first look at Oscar winner Hallie Berry’s high-intensity turn as a woman with multiple personalities in the upcoming drama Frankie & Alice , plus a peek at the Easter Bunny movie Hop, and more. Check them all out after the jump!
Frankie & Alice (Feb. 4)
Hallie Berry stars as a woman struggling with multiple personality disorder in this indie drama from director Geoffrey Sax (Tipping the Velvet).
Read more: ‘Frankie & Alice’ trailer: The return of Halle Berry, Oscar winner
Hop (April 1)
Russell Brand is the voice...
Frankie & Alice (Feb. 4)
Hallie Berry stars as a woman struggling with multiple personality disorder in this indie drama from director Geoffrey Sax (Tipping the Velvet).
Read more: ‘Frankie & Alice’ trailer: The return of Halle Berry, Oscar winner
Hop (April 1)
Russell Brand is the voice...
- 12/4/2010
- by Adam Markovitz
- EW.com - PopWatch
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
This is sadly the last of our Lip Servant interviews, even though Fiona Button was actually the first Lip Servant that we interviewed – before we had seen any of the show, or ever seen her act in a scene on set.
On the day we met, she was ready for the botox scene with Ed, and she and James were hanging out in the green room, having a laugh and behaving very much like we’ve seen Ed and Tess behave for the last five weeks. We did the interview, drank James’ coffee and left thinking that they were lovely, genuine people and wrote up the interview.
Then we saw the first episode and...
This is sadly the last of our Lip Servant interviews, even though Fiona Button was actually the first Lip Servant that we interviewed – before we had seen any of the show, or ever seen her act in a scene on set.
On the day we met, she was ready for the botox scene with Ed, and she and James were hanging out in the green room, having a laugh and behaving very much like we’ve seen Ed and Tess behave for the last five weeks. We did the interview, drank James’ coffee and left thinking that they were lovely, genuine people and wrote up the interview.
Then we saw the first episode and...
- 11/11/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
Until her role in Lip Service as Lou Foster, Roxanne McKee was most widely recognised as an entirely different hot mess that also answered to the name of Lou. Hairdresser, gangster’s moll and sometime alcoholic, Louise Summers in the British soap Hollyoaks was the part that made Roxanne a frequent entrant on FHM’s "Sexiest Women In the World" polls. And indeed, Lou Foster may keep her on them if the reaction she’s had so far is anything to go by.
We spoke to Roxanne a couple of months ago, the day after she returned from a break in the sun. She had just experienced a tangled web in her transit back to the UK,...
Until her role in Lip Service as Lou Foster, Roxanne McKee was most widely recognised as an entirely different hot mess that also answered to the name of Lou. Hairdresser, gangster’s moll and sometime alcoholic, Louise Summers in the British soap Hollyoaks was the part that made Roxanne a frequent entrant on FHM’s "Sexiest Women In the World" polls. And indeed, Lou Foster may keep her on them if the reaction she’s had so far is anything to go by.
We spoke to Roxanne a couple of months ago, the day after she returned from a break in the sun. She had just experienced a tangled web in her transit back to the UK,...
- 11/1/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
The new titles have stuck – making them the actual Lip Service titles. They offer quite an arousing beginning.
Frankie, Jay and Becky are congregated in the kitchen getting ready for the day ahead. Becky asks when Jay got in last night. Frankie corrects Jay's initial response of 10Pm and tells a displeased Becky that Jay's sorry arse didn't get in until 3Am. She then continues to read the paper feeling a little smug at her early-bird s--t-stirring.
Episode 3 opens in a similar fashion to Episode 2, by the way of orgasmic moans coming from Tess and Lou. This time, we are in the kitchen with DS Murray and Cat, who are giggling like children at...
The new titles have stuck – making them the actual Lip Service titles. They offer quite an arousing beginning.
Frankie, Jay and Becky are congregated in the kitchen getting ready for the day ahead. Becky asks when Jay got in last night. Frankie corrects Jay's initial response of 10Pm and tells a displeased Becky that Jay's sorry arse didn't get in until 3Am. She then continues to read the paper feeling a little smug at her early-bird s--t-stirring.
Episode 3 opens in a similar fashion to Episode 2, by the way of orgasmic moans coming from Tess and Lou. This time, we are in the kitchen with DS Murray and Cat, who are giggling like children at...
- 10/27/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
One thing has been clear since Lip Service aired its second episode last week: You all love a bit of DS Sam Murray, a.k.a. the hot cop, a.k.a. Heather Peace. Sam's stability and self-respect, plus her strong repertoire of sexual antics already have a lot of viewers fantasizing about hook-ups, pat downs and disorderly conducts.
We first met Heather back in January, not long after Lip Service had completed filming, in a quaint little coffee shop in the epicentre of Soho, London's rainbow mothership. Within the first moments of meeting her, we could see that she was a wickedly funny person with a little bit of the DS's swagger, whose...
One thing has been clear since Lip Service aired its second episode last week: You all love a bit of DS Sam Murray, a.k.a. the hot cop, a.k.a. Heather Peace. Sam's stability and self-respect, plus her strong repertoire of sexual antics already have a lot of viewers fantasizing about hook-ups, pat downs and disorderly conducts.
We first met Heather back in January, not long after Lip Service had completed filming, in a quaint little coffee shop in the epicentre of Soho, London's rainbow mothership. Within the first moments of meeting her, we could see that she was a wickedly funny person with a little bit of the DS's swagger, whose...
- 10/25/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
When we first went onto the Lip Service set, we cannot tell a lie, it was Ruta Gedmintas that first caught our eye. We can thank series creator, Harriet Braun for suggesting the frankly delicious haircut, but we must give her parents and genetics a massive high five for the rest.
Our interview with Ruta took place during filming back in December. In person, she was intense, thoughtful and extremely articulate. She talked passionately about the show and had obviously spent a lot of time studying and coming to grips with the role of Frankie.
Since the first episode aired, two things have been made clear to us; Frankie is undoubtedly the most divisive...
When we first went onto the Lip Service set, we cannot tell a lie, it was Ruta Gedmintas that first caught our eye. We can thank series creator, Harriet Braun for suggesting the frankly delicious haircut, but we must give her parents and genetics a massive high five for the rest.
Our interview with Ruta took place during filming back in December. In person, she was intense, thoughtful and extremely articulate. She talked passionately about the show and had obviously spent a lot of time studying and coming to grips with the role of Frankie.
Since the first episode aired, two things have been made clear to us; Frankie is undoubtedly the most divisive...
- 10/18/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
So here we are finally watching Lip Service after months and months of full on c--k-teasing by the BBC. It’s like we’ve been having a long-term online relationship with Lip Service and we’re finally meeting for the first time. We’ve dressed up and we’re a little bit drunk.
While we waited, we watched Anne Lister — which was really very good — but we’ll be glad of some modern day action. We also watched bits of The Real L Word so we’ll be glad of something that doesn’t make us feel violently sick.
The first scene opens on a sunny street.
Lee: But this doesn’t look like Glasgow?...
So here we are finally watching Lip Service after months and months of full on c--k-teasing by the BBC. It’s like we’ve been having a long-term online relationship with Lip Service and we’re finally meeting for the first time. We’ve dressed up and we’re a little bit drunk.
While we waited, we watched Anne Lister — which was really very good — but we’ll be glad of some modern day action. We also watched bits of The Real L Word so we’ll be glad of something that doesn’t make us feel violently sick.
The first scene opens on a sunny street.
Lee: But this doesn’t look like Glasgow?...
- 10/13/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
Laura Fraser is perhaps the Lip Servant that you will be most familiar with, she has appeared in such films as A Knight’s Tale and Vanilla Sky, plus she’s the only cast member that you may have seen previously locking lips with a lady onscreen. Her previous gay-for-pay outings were in the wonderful ITV drama The Investigator alongside Helen Baxendale, Nina’s Heavenly Delights — you’ve got to love a film about lesbians and curry — and a short film that she couldn’t remember the name of when we met.
In Lip Service, her character Cat is really the central figure of the show. Although it is an ensemble cast, everything pretty...
Laura Fraser is perhaps the Lip Servant that you will be most familiar with, she has appeared in such films as A Knight’s Tale and Vanilla Sky, plus she’s the only cast member that you may have seen previously locking lips with a lady onscreen. Her previous gay-for-pay outings were in the wonderful ITV drama The Investigator alongside Helen Baxendale, Nina’s Heavenly Delights — you’ve got to love a film about lesbians and curry — and a short film that she couldn’t remember the name of when we met.
In Lip Service, her character Cat is really the central figure of the show. Although it is an ensemble cast, everything pretty...
- 10/11/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
As the co-creator of the excellent Attachments and writer of Mistresses, Harriet Braun already knows what it feels like to have a hit show on her hands. But with the entire lesbian population of the UK — and their lesbi-friends around the world — waiting with increasing giddy impatience for her new lesbian drama Lip Service to air, she may be about to enter a whole new realm of fandom.
As well as being the show’s creator and writer, Braun is also the co-producer and she spent most days on set watching the filming and giving notes. We went to meet her on the last day of filming last winter — on possibly the coldest day...
As the co-creator of the excellent Attachments and writer of Mistresses, Harriet Braun already knows what it feels like to have a hit show on her hands. But with the entire lesbian population of the UK — and their lesbi-friends around the world — waiting with increasing giddy impatience for her new lesbian drama Lip Service to air, she may be about to enter a whole new realm of fandom.
As well as being the show’s creator and writer, Braun is also the co-producer and she spent most days on set watching the filming and giving notes. We went to meet her on the last day of filming last winter — on possibly the coldest day...
- 10/4/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
The countdown clock may feel somewhat weighty whilst we sit tight in anticipation for Lip Service, the UK’s first lesbian specific drama to begin on BBC Three next month. But, fellow lesbians, we have something quite special to offer you to interrupt the passing of time.
Whilst we were on set, trying to sneak inconspicuously behind the extras to speak to cast and crew — often on the sly — we gathered lots of Lip Service tidbits that we kept in a box in a secret place. We’ve now ripped it open and, quite opposite to Pandora and her box, this free fall of information is sure to put smiles on many faces.
Here...
The countdown clock may feel somewhat weighty whilst we sit tight in anticipation for Lip Service, the UK’s first lesbian specific drama to begin on BBC Three next month. But, fellow lesbians, we have something quite special to offer you to interrupt the passing of time.
Whilst we were on set, trying to sneak inconspicuously behind the extras to speak to cast and crew — often on the sly — we gathered lots of Lip Service tidbits that we kept in a box in a secret place. We’ve now ripped it open and, quite opposite to Pandora and her box, this free fall of information is sure to put smiles on many faces.
Here...
- 9/20/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
Yair Qedar‘s Gay Days Role/Play, Out In Silence, Open: Outfest 2010 The synopses below are from the Outfest 2010 website: The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister Fans of Sarah Waters‘ ("Tipping the Velvet," "Fingersmith") period drama will adore this film based on the life and loves of Anne Lister. Set in 19th century England, this deeply engaging film follows the true story of the heiress and landowner who, in her courage to defy convention, became known as "the first modern lesbian." Pieced together from Anne’s encrypted, four-million-word diary, the film recounts her scandalous affairs with two women and the heartbreak over her one true love. The Evening Dress Like many of her male classmates, 12-year-old tomboy Juliette has a crush on Mrs. Solenska, a teacher distinguished by stylish attire and an uninhibited, provocative classroom demeanor. Juliette’s fascination turns into all-consuming obsession, forcing revelations from both the girl and her teacher.
- 7/11/2010
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
If you're lucky, you've already seen The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister. And if you haven't, don't fret. The drama, which aired on the BBC, is making the Lgbt film festival rounds — it opens San Francisco's Frameline Film Festival on June 17 and plays Los Angeles' Outfest in July, among others.
The film stars Maxine Peake as Lister — a landowner, traveler and industrialist who lived in the early 1800s and who also happened to be a lesbian who wasn't shy about her sexual orientation. Lister's journals — numbering more than 25 volumes and 4 million words — have become some of the best lesbian nonfiction in existence. AfterEllen.com caught up with Peake to discuss why she pursued the role, doing justice to the role for the Lgbt community and how Lister has changed her.
AfterEllen.com: You initially heard of the part from a friend and chased it until you landed it — all without having read the script.
The film stars Maxine Peake as Lister — a landowner, traveler and industrialist who lived in the early 1800s and who also happened to be a lesbian who wasn't shy about her sexual orientation. Lister's journals — numbering more than 25 volumes and 4 million words — have become some of the best lesbian nonfiction in existence. AfterEllen.com caught up with Peake to discuss why she pursued the role, doing justice to the role for the Lgbt community and how Lister has changed her.
AfterEllen.com: You initially heard of the part from a friend and chased it until you landed it — all without having read the script.
- 6/16/2010
- by Snoodit
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
A couple of columns ago we wrote about the British women we wish were gay, which gave rise to much debate and informed us that our readers lust after and loathe Cheryl Cole in equal amounts. We decided that in this column we’d like to celebrate the British ladies we’re glad actually are gay or bisexual, which has been an unexpectedly tricky task.
Once again we sent out a Tweet asking you to suggest your favourite Britbians, and as the land that proffered Skins, Tipping the Velvet and Bad Girls, we were certain that Britain would have so many options that we’d be tossing second tier choices out of the list...
A couple of columns ago we wrote about the British women we wish were gay, which gave rise to much debate and informed us that our readers lust after and loathe Cheryl Cole in equal amounts. We decided that in this column we’d like to celebrate the British ladies we’re glad actually are gay or bisexual, which has been an unexpectedly tricky task.
Once again we sent out a Tweet asking you to suggest your favourite Britbians, and as the land that proffered Skins, Tipping the Velvet and Bad Girls, we were certain that Britain would have so many options that we’d be tossing second tier choices out of the list...
- 6/7/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
This week the BBC confirmed to us that they will screen Oxford Film & Television’s The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister on BBC Two on May 31, which is indeed super news. (Check out the trailer here.)
After watching the film at its premiere, we were entirely bowled over by it and so went to meet its writer Jane English (who also wrote several episodes of Channel 4’s brilliant Sugar Rush).
Over a pot of tea at King’s Cross Station, she told us that she spent 12 months poring over Anne’s diaries, which she kept sprawled over her kitchen table. This process gave her an unmistakable passion for Anne’s remarkable life...
This week the BBC confirmed to us that they will screen Oxford Film & Television’s The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister on BBC Two on May 31, which is indeed super news. (Check out the trailer here.)
After watching the film at its premiere, we were entirely bowled over by it and so went to meet its writer Jane English (who also wrote several episodes of Channel 4’s brilliant Sugar Rush).
Over a pot of tea at King’s Cross Station, she told us that she spent 12 months poring over Anne’s diaries, which she kept sprawled over her kitchen table. This process gave her an unmistakable passion for Anne’s remarkable life...
- 5/24/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
Thanks to popular British film and television, there is a perception outside Britain that roaming amidst our green fields and cobbled streets are delicate, silver-spooned beauties and post-Henry Eliza Doolittles. While we are on record as being rather fond of the corset — for two reasons — in reality, there is a much more diverse bunch of British ladies turning heads. And a high proportion of them are swigging pints, not tea.
So we are dedicating this column to the introduction and celebration of some of today's most desirable ladies in dear old Blighty. And because we are gripped by UK election fever, we decided to be democratic about it and sent a Twat out a few days ago asking you to nominate the UK ladies you wish were of a lesbian persuasion.
It would be far too challenging a task to look at this with any deep meaning — we'd have to flick through historical archives,...
So we are dedicating this column to the introduction and celebration of some of today's most desirable ladies in dear old Blighty. And because we are gripped by UK election fever, we decided to be democratic about it and sent a Twat out a few days ago asking you to nominate the UK ladies you wish were of a lesbian persuasion.
It would be far too challenging a task to look at this with any deep meaning — we'd have to flick through historical archives,...
- 5/10/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
In the UK, the soap opera is a staunch institution, as British as a cup of tea. Indeed, a character in soap land calling for the kettle to be put on is regularly the opening gambit to many a lively plot.
The British soap was established when BBC Radio 4 broadcasted The Archers in 1951. Set in an imagined village, many of the storylines were not on the cusp of anything especially thrilling – the threatened closure of the local shop being an example. Over the past few years, the writers of the Archers have looked outside of the village pub window and tried to realign the storylines with the happenings of modern society. As a result,...
In the UK, the soap opera is a staunch institution, as British as a cup of tea. Indeed, a character in soap land calling for the kettle to be put on is regularly the opening gambit to many a lively plot.
The British soap was established when BBC Radio 4 broadcasted The Archers in 1951. Set in an imagined village, many of the storylines were not on the cusp of anything especially thrilling – the threatened closure of the local shop being an example. Over the past few years, the writers of the Archers have looked outside of the village pub window and tried to realign the storylines with the happenings of modern society. As a result,...
- 4/26/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
There are few things we like more than a lesbian in a tight corset swigging a glass of wine, so when we heard that The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister would open the 2010 BFI London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, we sorted out tickets faster than you can say “Kitty Butler you broke my bleedin’ ‘eart.”
Anne Lister was a 19th century Yorkshire landowner, industrialist, traveller and, of course, gay lady who was gallous and guilt-free about her sexuality and passionate about defying the customs and rules of her time.
Her wonderful story lay bound in a four million page journal, gathering dust in an attic in Halifax until they were found by...
There are few things we like more than a lesbian in a tight corset swigging a glass of wine, so when we heard that The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister would open the 2010 BFI London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, we sorted out tickets faster than you can say “Kitty Butler you broke my bleedin’ ‘eart.”
Anne Lister was a 19th century Yorkshire landowner, industrialist, traveller and, of course, gay lady who was gallous and guilt-free about her sexuality and passionate about defying the customs and rules of her time.
Her wonderful story lay bound in a four million page journal, gathering dust in an attic in Halifax until they were found by...
- 4/12/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
No other lesbian TV relationship has ever set the internet on fire quite like Emily Fitch (Kathryn Prescott) and Naomi Campbell (Lily Loveless) in Skins.
In series ,3 we witnessed these star-crossed lovers navigate their relationship through choppy waters and then in blazing triumph set sail into what we hoped would be everlasting love and possibly shared custody of two cats. The beginning of series 4 gave us a glimpse of this happily-ever-after with an opening sequence of pants, presents and love biscuits, but alas the honeymoon was short lived and Bristol’s very own Juliet and Juliet entered the realm of dyke drama very quickly.
Last week we headed to a Mediterranean style cafe in Shoreditch,...
No other lesbian TV relationship has ever set the internet on fire quite like Emily Fitch (Kathryn Prescott) and Naomi Campbell (Lily Loveless) in Skins.
In series ,3 we witnessed these star-crossed lovers navigate their relationship through choppy waters and then in blazing triumph set sail into what we hoped would be everlasting love and possibly shared custody of two cats. The beginning of series 4 gave us a glimpse of this happily-ever-after with an opening sequence of pants, presents and love biscuits, but alas the honeymoon was short lived and Bristol’s very own Juliet and Juliet entered the realm of dyke drama very quickly.
Last week we headed to a Mediterranean style cafe in Shoreditch,...
- 3/29/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
If AfterEllen.com was a British site, it would be called AfterSandi.com. We grew up watching Sandi Toksvig on children’s TV show Number 73 in the 80s, felt her pain as she sailed around Britain with John McCarthy in the 1990s and today we are entertained weekly by her Radio 4 panel show, The News Quiz.
She recently flew into Glasgow for the city’s book festival, Aye Write, and we had the privilege of spending a funny, informative and inspiring 40 minutes with her before her performance inside one of Glasgow’s grandest buildings, The Mitchell Library.
She arrived in the green room, a very short lady, with a massive presence and immediately told...
If AfterEllen.com was a British site, it would be called AfterSandi.com. We grew up watching Sandi Toksvig on children’s TV show Number 73 in the 80s, felt her pain as she sailed around Britain with John McCarthy in the 1990s and today we are entertained weekly by her Radio 4 panel show, The News Quiz.
She recently flew into Glasgow for the city’s book festival, Aye Write, and we had the privilege of spending a funny, informative and inspiring 40 minutes with her before her performance inside one of Glasgow’s grandest buildings, The Mitchell Library.
She arrived in the green room, a very short lady, with a massive presence and immediately told...
- 3/15/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
Never has Great LezBritain seen so many of their own kind in one place than at a Texas gig. The simple reason for this is androgynous lead singer Sharleen Spiteri. While not gay herself, the Glaswegian born chanteuse is very much a British lesbian icon. She relishes playing with people’s perceptions of women in music and as a result she has never looked like a stereotypical pop-siren. Over the years she has delighted her lesbian fans with her outspoken ways and stage attire such as an Elvis outfit and a sailor suit.
With Texas, Spiteri has spent over two decades selling platinum albums but recently went it alone and is on the verge...
Never has Great LezBritain seen so many of their own kind in one place than at a Texas gig. The simple reason for this is androgynous lead singer Sharleen Spiteri. While not gay herself, the Glaswegian born chanteuse is very much a British lesbian icon. She relishes playing with people’s perceptions of women in music and as a result she has never looked like a stereotypical pop-siren. Over the years she has delighted her lesbian fans with her outspoken ways and stage attire such as an Elvis outfit and a sailor suit.
With Texas, Spiteri has spent over two decades selling platinum albums but recently went it alone and is on the verge...
- 3/1/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
"Great LezBritian" is a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
Parading yourself around a comedy stage for all and sundry to judge is not considered the most stable of career paths. But chucking a well timed punch line right in the face of stability, are some rather hilarious lesbian comedians.
Zoe Lyons, Susan Calman and Jen Brister have all been making a name for themselves on the British comedy circuit over the last couple of years and Great LezBritain has pissed many a pair of pants in the front row of their gigs.
We caught up with all three to find out how Zoe felt to be named as one of 2009’s influential British gays, why a group of lesbians once tried to ban...
Parading yourself around a comedy stage for all and sundry to judge is not considered the most stable of career paths. But chucking a well timed punch line right in the face of stability, are some rather hilarious lesbian comedians.
Zoe Lyons, Susan Calman and Jen Brister have all been making a name for themselves on the British comedy circuit over the last couple of years and Great LezBritain has pissed many a pair of pants in the front row of their gigs.
We caught up with all three to find out how Zoe felt to be named as one of 2009’s influential British gays, why a group of lesbians once tried to ban...
- 2/15/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
This AfterEllen.com column, "Great LezBritian," will be a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
Last year, Series 3 of the British drama Skins gave us one of the most beautifully depicted relationships in the form of Naomi and Emily.
At one stage, we thought we would only ever see the pair "hold hands through a cat flap." However they confronted their fears, and, in a truly liberating coming out scene, they strolled off hand-in-hand at their college ball, and thus "Naomily" was born.
Kathryn Prescott, GreatLezBritain columnist
Sarah Longley, and Lily Loveless
This week, Great LezBritain is celebrating the return of the new series of Skins (E4, Thursdays at 10 pm) by having a chat with the on-screen couple.
Kathryn Prescott and Lily Loveless talk about their lesbian fans,...
Last year, Series 3 of the British drama Skins gave us one of the most beautifully depicted relationships in the form of Naomi and Emily.
At one stage, we thought we would only ever see the pair "hold hands through a cat flap." However they confronted their fears, and, in a truly liberating coming out scene, they strolled off hand-in-hand at their college ball, and thus "Naomily" was born.
Kathryn Prescott, GreatLezBritain columnist
Sarah Longley, and Lily Loveless
This week, Great LezBritain is celebrating the return of the new series of Skins (E4, Thursdays at 10 pm) by having a chat with the on-screen couple.
Kathryn Prescott and Lily Loveless talk about their lesbian fans,...
- 2/1/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
This looks set to be an exciting year for feminism. Here Viv Groskop rounds up the books, films, theatre and marches that will inspire us all in the coming months
This is a big year for feminist anniversaries. It was 40 years ago that the first ever National Women's Liberation conference was held in the UK, that Germaine Greer published her groundbreaking book The Female Eunuch and Kate Millett published the life-changing work Sexual Politics. The year looks set to include a whole host of celebrations then, one of which is already underway – the Ms Understood exhibition at the Women's Library in London, which traces "the sisterhood and spirit of 1970s feminism" and runs until the end of March.
But this year's feminist calendar isn't solely historical. Three major new feminist books are to be published in Britain, the TV series Mad Men continues to explore the sexual politics of the 1960s,...
This is a big year for feminist anniversaries. It was 40 years ago that the first ever National Women's Liberation conference was held in the UK, that Germaine Greer published her groundbreaking book The Female Eunuch and Kate Millett published the life-changing work Sexual Politics. The year looks set to include a whole host of celebrations then, one of which is already underway – the Ms Understood exhibition at the Women's Library in London, which traces "the sisterhood and spirit of 1970s feminism" and runs until the end of March.
But this year's feminist calendar isn't solely historical. Three major new feminist books are to be published in Britain, the TV series Mad Men continues to explore the sexual politics of the 1960s,...
- 1/8/2010
- by Viv Groskop
- The Guardian - Film News
This new AfterEllen.com column, "Great LezBritian," will be a fortnightly stroll through the very best of British lesbo-centric entertainment and culture. Plus there will be some jolly good interviews with the top ladies who are waving the flag for gay UK.
"Great LezBritain" authors Sarah, a Londoner, and Lee, a Glaswegian, met in a gay discotheque one bleak mid winter, eight years ago and have been shacked up together ever since. When not watching Tipping The Velvet, they find time to write, run a PR company, DJ at their own club nights and love a bit of jam on toast.
Journalist and author Joanna Briscoe and her partner Charlotte Mendelson are two of the UK’s modern day literary darlings. Currently living with their two children in North London, both women have received a barrage of critical acclaim and recently found themselves named a "Power Lesbian Couple" by the London Standard.
"Great LezBritain" authors Sarah, a Londoner, and Lee, a Glaswegian, met in a gay discotheque one bleak mid winter, eight years ago and have been shacked up together ever since. When not watching Tipping The Velvet, they find time to write, run a PR company, DJ at their own club nights and love a bit of jam on toast.
Journalist and author Joanna Briscoe and her partner Charlotte Mendelson are two of the UK’s modern day literary darlings. Currently living with their two children in North London, both women have received a barrage of critical acclaim and recently found themselves named a "Power Lesbian Couple" by the London Standard.
- 1/4/2010
- by Sarah and Lee
- AfterEllen.com
As 2009 comes to a close, we take a look back at some of the people and events that made this the Best. Lesbian. Decade. Ever. in pop culture.
Luckily for all of us, there was far more information to have mentioned from the last ten years than we could have included in this brief survey. That's why our lists for each year are not intended to be exhaustive, but are instead snapshots of different memorable moments that included the representation of lesbians and bisexual women in film, television, music, literature, comics, sports and the Internet since the year 2000.
2000
Chavela Vargas[/link] comes out
Mexican ranchera music legend Chavela Vargas publicly came out as a lesbian at the tender age of 81.
Angelina Jolie wins Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Angelina Jolie won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Girl, Interrupted and told Talk Magazine, "I only play women I would date.
Luckily for all of us, there was far more information to have mentioned from the last ten years than we could have included in this brief survey. That's why our lists for each year are not intended to be exhaustive, but are instead snapshots of different memorable moments that included the representation of lesbians and bisexual women in film, television, music, literature, comics, sports and the Internet since the year 2000.
2000
Chavela Vargas[/link] comes out
Mexican ranchera music legend Chavela Vargas publicly came out as a lesbian at the tender age of 81.
Angelina Jolie wins Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Angelina Jolie won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Girl, Interrupted and told Talk Magazine, "I only play women I would date.
- 12/31/2009
- by afterellenstaff
- AfterEllen.com
Today, Mediatakeout.com gleefully reported that "Beyoncé Knowles has confirmed that she will star in an upcoming film adaptation of Sarah Waters' Tipping the Velvet, which chronicles protagonist Nan Astley's lesbian romps in Victorian London."
Mediatakeout.com appears to be especially excited about this news, judging from its liberal use of exclamation points and Drudge-style boldface. (I'm surprised they didn't go all out and insert a Drudge-inspired siren next to the proclamation — and gay it up with rainbow colors.)
Last year, rumors began circulating that Eva Longoria and Beyoncé would star in a U.S. version of Tipping The Velvet, but those rumors were promptly shot down by all parties allegedly involved.
Today, however, Mediatakeout.com cites Beyoncé's official IMDb page as evidence. Here is the screenshot of said proof:
Unfortunately, Mediatakeout.com failed to take advantage of IMDBPro's 14-day free trial. Debit card in hand, I logged into...
Mediatakeout.com appears to be especially excited about this news, judging from its liberal use of exclamation points and Drudge-style boldface. (I'm surprised they didn't go all out and insert a Drudge-inspired siren next to the proclamation — and gay it up with rainbow colors.)
Last year, rumors began circulating that Eva Longoria and Beyoncé would star in a U.S. version of Tipping The Velvet, but those rumors were promptly shot down by all parties allegedly involved.
Today, however, Mediatakeout.com cites Beyoncé's official IMDb page as evidence. Here is the screenshot of said proof:
Unfortunately, Mediatakeout.com failed to take advantage of IMDBPro's 14-day free trial. Debit card in hand, I logged into...
- 8/13/2009
- by gracechu
- AfterEllen.com
Want to know the status of a particular movie, TV show, or band? Wondering what a certain actress is up to these days? Want to know if someone is openly gay? (We won't out anyone, but we'll let you know what they've said publicly.) Send your entertainment-related questions to askafterellen@gmail.com — with your first name, city and country — and we'll try to answer as many as we can.
Question: Is [actress] Clea DuVall a lesbian or has she ever come out and said anything about her sexuality?
— Melissa, Syracuse, New York
Clea DuVall
Answer: The 31-year old actress has never publicly stated her sexual orientation.
She is a favorite among lesbian viewers for her work in several films by out director Jamie Babbit, including But I'm A Cheerleader (1999), Sleeping Beauties (a short film starring Radha Mitchell, of High Art fame), Itty Bitty Titty Committee (2007), and her role in the HBO film,...
Question: Is [actress] Clea DuVall a lesbian or has she ever come out and said anything about her sexuality?
— Melissa, Syracuse, New York
Clea DuVall
Answer: The 31-year old actress has never publicly stated her sexual orientation.
She is a favorite among lesbian viewers for her work in several films by out director Jamie Babbit, including But I'm A Cheerleader (1999), Sleeping Beauties (a short film starring Radha Mitchell, of High Art fame), Itty Bitty Titty Committee (2007), and her role in the HBO film,...
- 1/13/2009
- by karman
- AfterEllen.com
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