What is 'Dope Girls' about?
New BBC drama starts Satuday at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer
BBC One has a brand new drama ‘Dope Girls’ starting 9pm Saturday, but what is it about?
Set against the backdrop of post-World War One London, Dope Girls plunges into a world of shifting power dynamics, illicit thrills, and female ambition. As Britain celebrates the Armistice, returning soldiers expect to reclaim their place in society—only to find that women, newly empowered by wartime independence, have no intention of retreating to traditional roles.
At the heart of this transformation is Soho’s burgeoning underground club scene, where women seize unprecedented opportunities—both legal and criminal. The series vividly explores the rise of modern nightlife, shaped by the resilience and daring of those determined to carve out their own destinies.
Created by multi-award-winning writer Polly Stenham (That Face, Julie, Neon Demon) and Alex Warren (Eleanor), with Shannon Murphy (Babyteeth, Killing Eve) as lead director and executive producer, Dope Girls follows Kate Galloway (Julianne Nicholson, Mare of Easttown), a single mother who builds a nightclub empire to provide for her daughter, Evie (Eilidh Fisher, The Power), despite the dangers of a life steeped in crime.
Eliza Scanlen (Little Women) stars as Violet Davies, a pioneering female officer tasked with infiltrating Soho’s underground clubs, leading her into the orbit of Billie Cassidy (Umi Myers, Bob Marley: One Love), a dazzling bohemian dancer whose life takes a dramatic turn upon meeting Kate.
Filmed in Wales, Dope Girls boasts a stellar supporting cast, including Michael Duke (Get Up Stand Up), Ian Bonar (I May Destroy You), Dustin Demri-Burns (Slow Horses), Geraldine James (Silo), Nabhaan Rizwan (Informer), Priya Kansara (Polite Society), Jordan Kouamé (Malpractice), Will Keen (His Dark Materials), and Sebastian Croft (Heartstopper).
Blending crime, ambition, and the intoxicating energy of 1920s nightlife, Dope Girls is a thrilling dive into the rebellious spirit of women who refused to fade into the background.