PinkNews Awards 2019: Nominees revealed for the Drama Award
Clockwise from top left: Butterfly, Pose, Sex Education, Eastenders, Gentleman Jack – the nominees for the PinkNews Drama Award
The five nominees for the Drama category at the PinkNews Awards 2019 have been announced, including shows from the BBC, Netflix, and ITV.
The award celebrates a TV series that has significantly represented issues affecting the LGBT+ community.
Last year’s award was won by the critically-acclaimed BBC series A Very English Scandal, based the true story of the alleged attempted murder of Norman Scott, the ex-lover of the then leader of the Liberal Party Jeremy Thorpe.
The PinkNews Awards 2019 will take place on October 16 in Westminster. The shortlist of nominees is below, and you can cast your PinkNews Awards votes here.
Butterfly, ITV.
Butterfly tells the story of an 11-year-old child who wants to transition with the support of their mum Vicky, played by Anna Friel.
The three-part drama was a major representation of transgender people on British television, being the first show of its kind to be broadcast on a major network.
Producers consulted transgender advocates to ensure the story was told sensitively. Susie Green, the CEO of Mermaids, praised the drama for its accurate portrayal of trans children and for not sensationalising their experiences.
Anna Friel stars as the mother of a transgender child in ITV’s Butterfly (YouTube/ITV)
Pose, FX / BBC.
Pose is an American drama television series about New York City’s African-American and Latino LGBT+ and gender-nonconforming ballroom culture scene in the 1980s.
The diverse and inclusive show has received numerous award nominations, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama.
The show’s breakout star, Billy Porter, has also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama for his portrayal of Pray Tell.
Billy Porter speaks to PinkNews about performing at Pride in London and Taylor Swift. (PinkNews)
Gentleman Jack, BBC.
Gentleman Jack is a historical drama based on the coded diaries of 17th century heiress Anne Lister, described as “Britain’s first modern lesbian“.
The show follows Lister as she challenges convention by refusing to conform to the gender standards of the time. The first season ends with Lister marrying her lover, Anne, in a secret ceremony.
Gentleman Jack offered a rare glimpse of lesbian representation in a primetime period drama, telling without titillation the true “heartfelt and beautiful story” of a historical lesbian couple.
Gentleman Jack actress Sophie Rundle has spoken about the impact a lesbian relationship had on viewers (BBC)
Sex Education, Netflix.
Sex Education follows Otis and his friend Maeve (Mackey) as they set up a sex clinic at their school, based somewhere in the UK, in order to give their peers relationship therapy sessions.
The show has been praised for its inclusion of LGBT+ characters and relationships. The series features the character of Eric, who faces homophobia and has to come to terms with his sexuality. He also uses drag as a form of self-expression.
Sex Education has been praised for its LGBT+ representation. (Netflix)
EastEnders, BBC.
This year Albert Square got a Pride parade, a drag performance, a gay kiss, and the glorious sight of Phil Mitchell punching a homophobe.
It’s part of new producer Kate Oates’ plans to make the 34-year-old BBC soap more diverse, after EastEnders was previously accused of not being an authentic depiction of modern London.
“There’s still so much homophobia in our society, and we’re glad to use our voice to try and change that,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the day when a same-sex kiss can be shown on a mainstream soap and the duty log receives zero complaints.”
EastEnders’ Phil Mitchell finally putting those fists to good use (Twitter/@mitchellsbowden)
