The BBC comedy Proper Ladies has taken social media by storm with its chaotic energy and sharp teenage dynamics, drawing comparisons to shows like Derry Girls and Some Girls. Writer Sabrina Ali says, 'We saw our first fan edit and it had 100,000 likes. It feels like we made it.'
A Glimpse into the Show
Set in a faith school, Proper Ladies is a 10-minute short that follows four schoolgirls in detention, where friendships, rivalries, and acts of rebellion unfold. Absurd and quick-witted, it leans into the heightened logic of teenage life, where small things escalate quickly. In one scene, a student delivers a dramatic monologue about setting off the fire alarm to cover up using the staff toilets.
Created by Ali and based on her award-winning stage play Dugsi Dayz, the show aims to be 'messy, chaotic, and funny.' It follows Salma, a model student and prefect played by first-time actor Samira Tahlil, who tries to keep order among her misbehaving peers. Their antics include slipping laxatives into their teacher's drink, leading to detention and a trip to the headteacher, where Salma spots his toupee and inadvertently informs the whole school.
The Characters and Cast
Ali plays Munira, who runs an underground energy drink business inside the school. She is joined by Yasmin (Ebada Hassan), a fashion-focused 'it girl,' and Hani (Kosar Ali), an aloof, emo-leaning student who secretly writes Harry Styles fan fiction. Kosar notes, 'So many girls I knew were into fan fiction. It was a real form of escapism.' Together, they form a tight-knit ensemble built around recognizable teenage archetypes.
The pilot is in development for a potential full series, following a four-year journey from stage to screen. Dugsi Dayz premiered in 2022 and established Ali as a writer of Somali British stories. She began adapting it for television with backing from executive producers including Michaela Coel, whom she met at a press night. Ali says, 'Having her backing feels full circle. It's given me the confidence to develop my writing.'
Changing Representation
Ali hopes her comedic approach reshapes how Black and Muslim characters are positioned on British TV. 'Sometimes, when characters look like us, there's an expectation to disarm audiences. Especially with Muslim characters. It becomes: 'Show us why you deserve to be here.' I didn't want that.' She argues that comedy allows for recognition without instruction: 'As soon as you laugh at a character, you recognise something human in them.'
An open casting call on Instagram and TikTok invited applicants with little to no acting experience, drawing in young people who might not have considered the industry. Ali says, 'Most of the time, people don't feel like there's access, so they don't even pursue it.' She aimed to make the process 'more open and less intimidating.'
Facing Abuse
Despite growing attention, the cast has faced racist and Islamophobic abuse online. Some have stepped back from social media. Ali reflects, 'If us simply existing causes this level of abuse, it shows how rarely people like us are seen on British television. But it also shows why shows like this need to exist.' She adds, 'For every hateful message, there's been an outpouring of love. And those messages matter more than anything.'
Proper Ladies is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
