Filming has begun on the winning 2013 Trans Comedy Award script by Elliot Kerrigan. 'Boy Meets Girl' will be the first BBC sitcom to star a trans actor. The sitcom will focus on trans issues as it tells the story of 26-year-old Leo and 40-year-old Judy and their developing relationship.
The character of Judy will be played by actor and stand up comedian Rebecca Root. Root is one of many talented trans comedians and actors gaining recognition in the industry, alongside Bethany Black, Shelley Bridgman and 2005 Funny Women Awards winner Debra Jane Appelby.
The executive producer of 'Boy Meets Girl' Sophie Clarke-Jervoise said: “I think it is a real step forward. I just think people really just don’t know much about this. The idea that a trans woman might be in an everyday heterosexual relationship without it raising comment – I don’t think that is something that people really think about.
“It’s been a challenge, because we really want to get it right, and we’ve taken advice from members of the trans community, but it’s mainly been very interesting. For the characters in our sitcom, we are picking up from the point of view of a family who has never really had anything to do with a trans person, so they don’t know the terminology, and hopefully as they learn, it will be an educational process for the audience as well.”
The sitcom will also star Harry Hepple as Leo and Denise Welch as Pam, his mother. The BBC hopes the show will enjoy similar success to 'Gavin and Stacey' and is to air on BBC 2 later this year.
Trans columnist Paris Lees commented on the sitcom: “About bloody time! As the lack of racial, religious and sexual diversity on television is being rightfully challenged, a quiet revolution is emerging in the way that trans people are portrayed on screen. It’s great to see trans folk bringing authenticity to roles.”
We can't wait to see 'Boy Meets Girl' and hope 2015 will be the year more diversity is brought to our screens.
Pictured: 'Boy Meets Girl' stars Denise Welch, Rebecca Root and Harry Hepple
