Queer ally and all-round pop legend, Dannii Minogue has just released the teaser on the new lesbian dating show coming soon to the BBC. The series follows on from the success of I Kissed A Boy, the BBC’s first gay male dating show which aired in Spring 2023.
Just months after the gay show premiered, the BBC teased us with the lesbian spin-off on X (formerly Twitter) claiming that the show would “serve drama, smash stereotypes, and promise more twists and turns than ever.”
We’re keen.
What to expect from I Kissed a Girl
Since the success of the first eight-part series, the new lesbian version will now consist of ten episodes with the non-negotiable finale of an all-cast reunion. The series promises romance, self-discovery, and (we assume) the kind of deep-dive emotional conversations that we lesbians just can’t get enough of.
The show’s format is set to carry on from the first iteration, where ten single lesbian and bisexual women will be matched up for their first meeting. No texts, no chats, just a brief hello sealed with a kiss. After that somewhat awkward ice-breaker, the couples will be given the chance to explore their new relationships in an idyllic Italian setting.
For lesbian viewers desperate for representation on telly, I Kissed A Girl is set to be a landmark show. The playful format aims to put personality and chemistry first, breaking down stereotypes and letting love blossom organically. Early reviews are hailing it as a ‘reality game-changer’ that we are, quite honestly, dying to binge-watch.
Dannii Minogue returns to host
The announcement came on social media, in the form of a short trailer showing Dannii Minogue making a dramatic entrance to the picturesque Italian villa where the show takes place. An epic aerial shot reveals the scenic seaside hideaway before Minogue dances into the frame, twirling in a flowing lilac gown, suggesting her style choices alone will be worth tuning in for.
In another scene, Minogue strides toward the mansion in a stunning red evening gown as a group of contestants are spotted, clinking glasses in celebration. “Me? Cupid?” quips Minogue with a wink, posing playfully with a bow and arrow. “I’m ready.”
The teaser concludes by hinting that the show is ‘coming soon’ on BBC iPlayer, with no official release date at the time of writing.
Dannii Minogue says she’s ‘thrilled’ to play cupid again, this time for women seeking women. As a longtime LGBTQ+ ally, she hopes to help forge meaningful connections on the show. The BBC promises plenty of passion, fun, and twists along the way.
The need for lesbian TV shows
With hit shows like I Kissed A Girl paving the way, we hope that this means the entertainment landscape is changing. Diverse lesbian stories are finally making it to the mainstream, reflecting real dating experiences. For anyone looking for a queer version of Love Island, your summer of lesbian love is being concocted as we speak, and we think it’s going to be as addictive as Aperol Spritz.
Lesbian women have struggled to see themselves represented in TV and film, and over the years we’ve had to make do with enjoyable but not always accurate portrayals of our lives in programs like The L Word. More recently, Gentleman Jack has taken the top spot in lesbian lists of must-see lesbian TV, alongside shows like Netflix’s Feel Good and Amazon’s, now-cancelled, A League of Their Own which have explored the queer experience with nuance, resonating with fans.
Dating shows are now joining the party, depicting the joy and messiness of queer women building connections with the hope of finding true love.
With the absolute madness that was last year’s The Queer Ultimatum, there’s never been more appetite for female and non-binary-focused reality shows, especially ones set in the UK instead of America. One major concern with The Queer Ultimatum was the overarching sense that the contestants had been somewhat exploited, with psychology experts weighing in to say that “its format will actually work to undercut relationships and disrupt attachments, rather than clarify and strengthen them.”
However, the original Kissed a Boy series was widely praised by the gay press for handling queer culture tactfully, prioritising diversity and inclusion with cast members representing a range of body types, experiences and ethnic backgrounds from all over the UK.
Of course, representation still has a long way to go. But shows like these are vital steps, in normalising and celebrating lesbian identity. For young queer viewers, they provide invaluable reassurance during formative years, although we will of course be taking the ‘reality’ aspect of the dating show with a hefty pinch of salt.
Bring on the drama!
Will you be tuning in?
Love,
Team Nonchalant x
Last Updated on 16th February 2024 by Nonchalant Magazine
Fiona is a two-time author and freelance writer with words published in the Metro, Grazia, Readers Digest and Happiful Magazine. She runs online writing groups, loves tarot, live music and poetry.
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