Soho’s Secret Nightlife Unveiled in Dope Girls
The hidden nightlife of Soho during the aftermath of World War I is brought to life in the captivating new series Dope Girls. This BBC One drama premieres this weekend, featuring a dynamic, female-led cast that shines a spotlight on the vibrant yet illicit underground club scene that thrived as men returned from the war.
Produced by Bad Wolf in collaboration with Sony Pictures Television, Dope Girls is the brainchild of creators Polly Stenham and Alex Warren, with direction from Shannon Murphy. Jane Tranter, the Executive Producer and CEO of Bad Wolf, elaborates on the central theme of the series: “One of the main themes of Dope Girls is the experience of women in 1918 London and their struggle to find their voice. In the very first episode, our four main characters face metaphorical and literal silencing by the men and the societal norms surrounding them. As the six episodes unfold, we witness their courageous fight to be heard.”
Plot Overview of Dope Girls
Set in the year 1918, as Britain celebrates the Armistice on the bustling streets of London, men return home with the expectation of resuming their previous lives. However, a newly empowered generation of women, having tasted independence and freedom, is reluctant to return to domesticity.
Soho’s burgeoning underground nightclub scene becomes the ideal arena for these women to explore thrilling and often dangerous opportunities beyond the law. At the forefront of this vibrant nightlife is Kate Galloway, played by Julianne Nicholson, a single mother who opens a nightclub amidst the chaos of post-war London, engaging in criminal activities to secure a better future for her daughter, Evie, portrayed by Eilidh Fisher.
Eliza Scanlen takes on the role of Violet Davies, one of the pioneering female police officers tasked with going undercover to investigate the shadowy world of Soho’s nightclubs. Also featured is Billie Cassidy, played by Umi Myers, a mesmerizing dancer whose life takes a dramatic turn following Kate’s entrance into her world. The Salucci family, led by matriarch Isabella, a Sicilian immigrant who has run organized crime in London for decades, adds another layer of intrigue to the narrative.
These women are at the forefront of the modern nightlife movement, yet the allure and liberation they experience come hand in hand with profound pain and trauma.
Meet the Cast of Dope Girls
Julianne Nicholson
Julianne Nicholson stars as Kate Galloway, a widowed mother of two who returns to London to run a nightclub in order to provide for her family. Nicholson describes her character’s journey: “She finds herself with nothing and, with a daughter to support, she returns to London where she has an estranged daughter who is a dancer in a club. It’s the only place she has to turn to start anew.” The acclaimed American actress has won an Emmy for her role in Mare of Easttown and has appeared in notable shows such as Ally McBeal and Boardwalk Empire.
Eliza Scanlen
Eliza Scanlen portrays Violet Davies, a young woman hailing from northern England who comes to London to pursue a career with the Metropolitan Police. Scanlen explains her role: “Upon joining the police force, she goes undercover as a sex worker to help get women off the streets, but things grow complicated as she begins to empathize with the unconventional family of women she encounters.” The Australian actress has a diverse portfolio, including roles in Little Women and Sharp Objects.
Umi Myers
Umi Myers plays Billie Cassidy, a dancer at the nightclub who sees dance as her primary form of artistic expression. Myers describes her character as “an artist” who creates provocative and striking performances. She is featured in the musical biopic Bob Marley: One Love and has also appeared in Silent Witness.
Eilidh Fisher
Eilidh Fisher takes on the role of Evie Galloway, Kate’s teenage daughter. Fisher shares: “We first meet Evie at an elite boarding school, where she channels her frustration into confronting school bullies. Everything shifts for her at the beginning of the series when she loses her father and relocates to London with her mother, facing her grief alone in an unfamiliar environment.” The Scottish actress has appeared in Call the Midwife and The English Game.
Additional Cast Members
- Geraldine James as Isabella Salucci (Sherlock Holmes, Back to Life)
- Dustin Demri-Burns as Damaso Salucci (Slow Horses, Am I Being Unreasonable?)
- Sebastian Croft as Silvio Salucci (Heartstopper, How to Date Billy Walsh)
- Rory Fleck Byrne as Luca Salucci (Conflict, This is Going to Hurt)
- Eben Figueiredo as Matteo Rossi Salucci (The Serial Killer’s Wife, This World)
- Nabhaan Rizwan as Silas Huxley (Kaos, Station Eleven)
- Will Keen as Frederick Asquith-Gore (Wolf Hall, His Dark Materials)
- Fiona Button as Sophie Asquith-Gore (The Split, Industry)
- Eloise Thomas as Alice Asquith-Gore (True Detective, The Bay)
- Priya Kansara as Lily Lee (Bridgerton, The Bastard Son & the Devil Himself)
- Ian Bonar as Sgt Frank Turner (Criminal Record, Deadline)
- Jordan Kouamé as Reggie Regbo (Wolf Hall, Malpractice)
- Michael Duke as Eddie Cobb
Filming Locations for Dope Girls
Dope Girls is one of several exciting collaborations between Bad Wolf Studios and the BBC, joining the ranks of productions like Doctor Who and His Dark Materials. The series was primarily filmed at Bad Wolf Studios in Wales, where Soho-inspired streets were constructed in Bridgend, Wales. Additionally, some interior shots were captured at Brangwyn Hall, part of the Swansea Guildhall.
Filming also took place in various iconic locations throughout London, contributing to the authentic backdrop of the story. Julianne Nicholson recalls a particularly surreal experience: “The most memorable scenes were filmed in Trafalgar Square by the fountain, capturing the celebratory chaos of 1918 as people rejoiced in the war’s end. It was an exhilarating moment that I never imagined I would experience.”
When to Watch Dope Girls
Dope Girls premieres on BBC One on Saturday, 22 February, at 9:15 PM. The series consists of six episodes, with new episodes airing weekly on Saturday evenings. Viewers can also catch the entire series available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
