Ackley Bridge is set to feature a lesbian storyline
Channel 4’s Ackley Bridge is set to introduce a lesbian storyline in Tuesday night’s show (July 17), with a romance between schoolgirls Nasreen “Nas” Paracha and Sam Murgatroyd.
The British drama, currently in the second series, portrays the lives of staff and students at a multi-cultural academy of the same name.
Queer fans praised the series one of show last year for the way it depicted Nas, who comes from a British Pakistani Muslim family, coming out as a lesbian to her mum.
However, makers of Ackley Bridge have hinted that the romance could end in heartbreak.
The official Twitter account for the show posted: “Nas finally meets a girl who knocks her socks off – the feisty, Sam Murgatroyd. Nas jumps in head first only to discover that their families and backgrounds put them completely at odds.”
TONIGHT on #AckleyBridge:
Nas finally meets a girl who knocks her socks off – the feisty, Sam Murgatroyd. Nas jumps in head first only to discover that their families and backgrounds put them completely at odds. pic.twitter.com/VIJm7Tscs8
— Ackley Bridge (@AckleyBridgeTV) July 17, 2018
The drama is based in the fictional Yorkshire mill town of Ackley Bridge.
Imaan LGBTQI, a charity run by LGBT+ muslims, said that one of its members had scripted the July 17 show.
The charity posted on Twitter: “OMG MUSLIM LESBIAN ON THE TELLY ALERT One of our long standing members has written tonight’s episode so watch it tonight at 8pm.”
OMG MUSLIM LESBIAN ON THE TELLY ALERT One of our long standing members has written tonight’s episode so watch it tonight at 8pm on @Channel4 or catch it on @4oD https://t.co/gVZfGTmgzV
— Imaan LGBTQI (@ImaanLGBTQ) July 17, 2018
Lesbian and bisexual fans looks set to praise Tuesday night’s show, as there is currently little representation of queer women of colour on mainstream television.
Earlier this year, Coronation Street star Bhavna Limbachia opened up about playing Muslim character Rana Haweb, who has an affair with best friend Kate Connor (Faye Brookes).
In the US, meanwhile, fans have praised drama Bold Type for featuring a storyline with a Muslim lesbian getting together with a queer black woman.
Ackley Bridge airs on Channel 4 at 8pm on Tuesday evenings.
