When Channel 4 show We Are Lady Parts first burst onto screens five years ago, it was like nothing I'd ever seen before. Energetic, buzzing off the walls and packed with a humorous punch, Nida Manzoor's off-the-walls TV show about an all-Muslim women punk rock band was bonkers and boundary-pushing in all the best ways.
Muslim Representation on British TV
It's no secret that Muslim representation on British TV has left something to be desired. Comedies like Citizen Khan actively spun the dial backwards with its lazy stereotypes and grating humour, while other shows often portray Muslims as terrorists. If we're lucky, we might graduate to victim status, waiting to be rescued. For much of my life, I've had to make do with snatches from characters like Nas in Ackley Bridge and Guz Khan's iconic series Man Like Mobeen. Essentially, it was slim pickings.
A Groundbreaking Premise
So, when We Are Lady Parts landed in 2021, I could not believe my eyes (or ears). A TV series with nuanced and fleshed-out Muslim women at its heart, who are defined by their love for music and rocking out – it was nothing short of a miracle. The show centres on biochemical engineering PhD student Amina Hussein (Anjana Vasan), who joins a female Muslim punk band trying to make it in the business we call show. As she finds herself torn between two worlds, she navigates love, heartache, cultural faux pas, and dazzling new friendships. It's feel-good, heartwarming, and an utterly compelling premise.
Relatable Characters and Themes
I found myself drawn to all the leading punk rockers – by-the-book Amina, deadpan Ayesha, strong-willed Saira, kind-hearted Bisma, powerhouse manager Momtaz – and the struggles they face throughout the show. It's relatable for its portrayal of the diaspora experience, the straddling of cultures, the bravery it takes to go against the grain, and its reflection of Muslim women, who are so much more than what the media traditionally portrays them as. We are layered, varied and full of life.
Critical Acclaim and Soundtrack
The first series has a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes critics' score. Vanity Fair's reviewer said the six-episode hit was 'so rewarding that I watched it twice' and Entertainment Weekly declared: 'Like any good punk song, We Are Lady Parts is short, intense, and unapologetic.' The iconic soundtrack includes favourites like Voldemort Under My Headscarf, Bashir with The Good Beard and Villain Era, as well as Malala's season two cameo in Malala Made Me Do It.
Lasting Impact
It was just as much of a riot when it returned for a second season in 2024. Five years since it first premiered, this bite-sized show has stood the test of time and deserves every bit of praise it's had. We Are Lady Parts is streaming on Channel 4 now.
