BBC Three has released a trailer for Glasgow Girls, the channel’s new one-off musical drama .
The 60-minute film tells the inspirational true story of a group of schoolgirls whose petition to save their friend from deportation inspired a movement, which would eventually help change immigration practices in Scotland.
Glasgow Girls‘ cast includes Gary Lewis (Billy Elliot) and Greg Hemphill (Still Game) alongside Kirstie Steele, Erin Armstrong, Letitia Wright, Aruhan Galieva and Olivia Popica.
Glasgow Girls airs at 10pm on Tuesday 15 July on BBC Three.
Watch the trailer…
When 15-year-old Agnesa Murselaj, a Roma from Kosovo, and pupil at Glasgow’s Drumchapel High, was taken by Immigration officers in a dawn raid, her friends refused to let her go without a fight. As she and her family awaited deportation at a detention centre in London, fellow pupils Amal, from Somalia; Roza, from Kurdistan; Ewelina, a Polish Roma; and local Drumchapel teenagers Emma, Jennifer and Toni-Lee, banded together to campaign for her release.
What started as a school petition grew into one of the most memorable human rights campaigns of a generation as they lobbied the Home Office, challenged the First Minister in public, and won the support of their community.
The story of the girls’ campaign was originally captured in an Amnesty International award-winning BBC Scotland documentary in 2005 and has since inspired a stage musical. Now, this talented cast will bring a whole new version of the Glasgow Girls story to life for the screen with contemporary musical moments enhancing the story and themes.
Executive producer Colin Barr commented: “This true story has all the makings of a brilliant drama – a group of dynamic characters proving how young people can make big changes in the world. Bringing the story to life will be an extremely talented cast, who perfectly capture the spirit of the real characters they represent. Music inspired the real Glasgow Girls and so is integral part of this production. Contemporary and recognisable songs will be performed in unfamiliar ways, pulling the story forward and heightening big moments.”
Zai Bennett, Former Controller, BBC Three, added: “Glasgow Girls is a thrilling blend of true story, high drama and musical storytelling. Only a channel like BBC Three would attempt to re-tell a hard hitting immigration story in this way.”
Directed by Brian Welsh (The Escape Artist, Black Mirror), Glasgow Girls is part of the BBC’s year-long contribution to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
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