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For fans of Candice Carty Williams' incredible book Queenie, we have big news. The long-awaited TV adaptation of the novel is coming to Channel 4 next month.
If you've not read the book – well, there's still time to do so before the show drops, and you won't be disappointed. The story centres around a young Black woman in her mid 20s navigating life in South London, tackling the trials and tribulations of relationships (particularly her experience with her white boyfriend, Tom), her job in social media journalism, her feelings about her friends, body and sexuality.
And beneath it all, Queenie is reckoning with some considerable trauma, and we go on the journey with her as she comes to terms with all of the above.
And where you recognise the actress from.
Candice has worked closely with and led the team bringing Queenie to the screen, after her explosive original drama Champion, which is a love letter to Black British music, aired last summer.
The show is a great testament to the book, with a cracking cast and soundtrack. Here's everything we know about the Queenie TV show so far from casting to the exact plot, as well as release date and the TV series' trailer.
Queenie plot
Channel 4's plot synopsis says it all.
“Queenie is about heartbreak and bad dates and worse sex," it reads. "It’s about south London and the gentrification that’s chipping away at it and what it represents. It’s about race, identity, culture and the politics that shape you. It’s about the love of friends, the chaos of family and community and all the other varying relationships in between, but especially the one with yourself.
“Razor sharp, utterly honest, blisteringly funny, and achingly yet beautifully relatable, Queenie the TV series will be full of as much heart and soul as the lady herself. At its core, it’s a story about a young Black woman’s values and the unrelenting trials and tribulations of life.”
Queenie cast
Dionne Brown will play Queenie, while North London-based singer-songwriter Bellah will play Queenie's best friend Kyazike. Jon Pointing (who we loved in Smothered) will play Queenie's long-time boyfriend Tom, alongside Sally Phillips (Bridget Jones) Samuel Adewunmi, Elisha Applebaum and Yennis Cheung. Love Island's Laura Whitmore and You star Tilly Keeper will also appear.
Author Candice Carty-Williams acts as showrunner and executive producer on the show, and has spoken out about what the book, and adapting it for screen, has meant to her.
“It’s clear to me that Queenie, a character whose story came to me when I was battling my way through my own messy twenties, is still so relevant today, and it’s about time that a show like this can explore why,” she said in a statement. "To adapt and breathe new life into a story that has been talked about across the globe, and to bring Queenie, our problematic fave, to a whole new audience, is such a privilege.”
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Dionne Brown has also commented on her excitement about playing Queenie, calling it a “dream come true”.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing Queenie to screens with Channel 4, Disney, Lionsgate and Candice," she said. "I’ve been in love with the book since the moment I read it so to be able to audition much less play her (Queenie) is a dream come true and I can’t wait for everyone to see exactly what we’ve been working on behind the scenes.”
Queenie release date
This very exciting TV show will drop on Channel 4 on 4 June. All episodes will be available to watch online from this date.
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Queenie trailer
Take a look at the trailer for Queenie below – we predict huge things from this show and cast.
