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The BBC announced last week that it has begun work on a new sitcom by Elliot Kerrigan, Boy Meets Girl. Britain’s first transgender sitcom, Boy Meets Girl was discovered through a nationwide talent search last year where entrants were asked to develop a storyline exploring transgender issues, the Trans Comedy Award.
The sitcom, which hopes to reach Gavin and Stacey cult-status, will follow the budding romance between 26-year old Leo and 40-year old Judy. The role of Judy will be played by with transgender actor Rebecca Root and Harry Hepple will play Leo, although the full cast has yet to be announced. The show is set in and around Manchester and is produced for BBC Two by Tiger Aspect (who also produced Gimme Gimme Gimme).
On the show’s premise, the BBC says, ‘Leo’s had a bad day. He’s been fired (again), is being given a hard time by his mum and, to cap it all, his blind date fails to show up. But then he bumps into Judy and finds himself deeply attracted to this surprising and beguiling woman.
‘They bond over drinks and, unfazed by the fact that there’s a bit of an age gap between them, arrange to meet the following evening. Leo’s mother is unhappy that he’s having dinner with an older woman. But Leo doesn’t care what she thinks; he knows that he’s just met someone very special.’
In a blog for All About Trans, Rebecca Root writes, ‘Tired of rejection by previous lovers, Judy decides to do the “Big Reveal” on the first date with Leo. He quietly processes the information and then just gets on with the meal. “Would you like a starter?” he asks. No questions about her body. No inappropriate comments about the toilet. Just so. This episode makes no more bones about Judy’s gender than had she confessed to liking Fleetwood Mac (which she did in an early draft). I was over the moon to get the part.’
The comedy was created by Elliott Kerrigan and co-written by Simon Carlyle. We can be assured a full series, after the pilot episode proved popular at the BBC Salford Sitcom Showcase in March.
On behalf of Tiger Aspect, Sophie Clarke-Jervoise says: ‘We’re very excited to be making Boy Meets Girl for BBC Two. It’s always great to work with brand new writers and Elliott has a delightfully quirky comedy voice which manages to combine big laugh-out-loud moments, with warmth and truthfulness.’
We’ll keep you up to date on the latest news from the BBC on its flagship transgender sitcom over the coming months.
