Dope Girls: A Post-War World of Female Empowerment and Criminal Enterprise BBC Releases First-Look Images

The BBC has unveiled the first images from Dope Girls, a six-part drama series set in the aftermath of World War I. The series, produced by Bad Wolf in association with Sony Pictures Television, brings to life the vibrant and tumultuous world of post-war Soho, where a new generation of women challenges societal norms and carves out their own paths in a male-dominated world.

Kate Galloway (Julianne Nicholson) (Image: BBC/Bad Wolf/Sony Pictures Television/Kevin Baker)

Dope Girls is inspired by a little-known chapter in history when female gangs ruled the streets of Soho, running clubs, drugs, and moonshine. It is based on Marek Kohn’s non-fiction book, Dope Girls: The Birth of the British Drug Underground. The series is created by multi-award-winning writers Polly Stenham and Alex Warren, and directed by Shannon Murphy.

Violet Davies (Eliza Scanlen) (Image: BBC/Bad Wolf/Sony Pictures Television/Kevin Baker)

The first images introduce viewers to the central cast, including Julianne Nicholson as Kate Galloway, a single mother who establishes a nightclub to provide for her daughter, Evie, played by Eilidh Fisher. Eliza Scanlen portrays Violet Davies, one of the first female police officers, who goes undercover to investigate the illicit underworld of Soho nightclubs. Umi Myers plays Billie Cassidy, a bohemian dancer whose life takes an unexpected turn with Kate’s arrival.

L-R: Eddie Cobb (Michael Duke), Billie Cassidy (Umi Myers) (Image: BBC/Bad Wolf/Sony Pictures Television/Kevin Baker)

The series also features Geraldine James as Isabella, the leader of the criminal Salucci family, along with a stellar supporting cast, including Michael Duke, Ian Bonar, Dustin Demri-Burns, and Priya Kansara, among others.

Dope Girls promises to offer a unique perspective on the birth of modern nightlife, guided by the ambitious endeavours of women navigating a society in flux. It explores the interplay between the law and those who dare to challenge its boundaries, shedding light on a fascinating era in British history.

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, expressed her enthusiasm for the series, stating, “We can’t wait for viewers to discover the bold and brilliant Dope Girls. Packed full of complex and electrifying characters from a fascinating time in Britain’s history, this will be must-see, ambitious drama.”