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. Creator Sabrina Ali says she wanted to make TV that is "messy, chaotic, and funny."
A Short but Impactful Pilot
Set in a faith school, the 10-minute short follows four schoolgirls in detention, where friendships, rivalries, and acts of rebellion unfold. The show 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 conceal using the staff toilets.
The pilot stars Samira Tahlil as Salma, a model student and prefect who tries to keep order among her misbehaving peers. Their antics include slipping laxatives into their teacher's drink, leading to detention and a visit to the headteacher, who is revealed to wear a toupee.
Characters and Cast
Ali plays Munira, who runs an underground energy drink business. Ebada Hassan plays Yasmin, a fashion-focused "it girl," and Kosar Ali plays Hani, an aloof student who secretly writes Harry Styles fan fiction. The cast says the script draws heavily on their own school experiences.
From Stage to Screen
The pilot is based on Ali's award-winning stage play Dugsi Dayz, which premiered in 2022. With backing from executive producers including Michaela Coel, Ali adapted the play for television. Coel provided a writing sanctuary for women of color in her home, where Ali developed her early draft.
Ali says the shift from theatre to TV didn't change the show's perspective. "What I didn't want to lose was seeing the world through the girls' lens," she says. "Not being guided through it. Just peeking into their lives."
Open Casting and Representation
An open casting call on Instagram and TikTok invited applicants with little acting experience, drawing in young people who might not have considered the industry. Ali hopes her comedic approach reshapes how Black and Muslim characters are portrayed on British television.
"Sometimes, when characters look like us, there's an expectation to disarm audiences," she says. "Especially with Muslim characters. It becomes: 'Show us why you deserve to be here.' I didn't want that."
Instead, comedy allows for recognition without instruction. "As soon as you laugh at a character, you recognise something human in them."
Online Abuse and Support
Since the short aired, the cast has faced racist and Islamophobic abuse online. Some have stepped back from social media. Ali says the abuse shows how rarely people like them are seen on British TV, but also why shows like this need to exist.
"For every hateful message, there's been an outpouring of love," she adds. "Those messages matter more than anything."
Proper Ladies is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
