02/12/2025
Here is a cultural moment to ponder. It’s ONLY been 10 years since the amazing was the FIRST trans woman to actually portray a trans character on British television. Only a decade ago? This was 11 years AFTER won in 2004. MAD!
Thanks to ’s companion show Banana (which aired alongside Cucumber, the spiritual sequel to the blow the back doors off from 1999) with an episode written by , trans representation took its first very important and huge leap forward on international TV.
Episode 4 featured Helen, a woman just trying to live her life as the hostess of an upmarket restaurant, when a figure from her past threatens to destroy the world she has so carefully built. This episode is unique and seminal, as it not only shows the vulnerability of a trans woman, but also the love that she receives from her family and her friends when she finally allows them in, despite the devastating humiliation she is put through. It is truly groundbreaking television. Thanks to and this was the first piece of prime time tv featuring a CENTRAL transgender storyline to be given an authentic voice.
Trans people have been the unfair target in politics and from uneducated and ignorant bigots to distract from the bigger issues facing this country and the world for too long. What I would urge you, is that every time you hear these awful diatribes about our community is to shout LOUDER!!! Without trans people there wouldn’t be an LGBQIA+ community. They stood up for us first and now we need to protect them.
If you haven’t seen them, hunt down Cucumber and Banana (they both feature the amazing , among many many other incredible performers ) both shows are bombastic and unapologetic and a MUST watch.
Happy 10 year anniversary to an amazing moment in TV. However it blows my mind that it’s only been 10 years since this became possible. We need to do better and I hope we will! 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️
