Smoggie Queens
{{Short description|British Television Series}}
Smoggie Queens is a British television sitcom set in Middlesbrough focusing on the chosen family and lives of a group of LGBTQ friends. It premiered at Middlesbrough Town Hall and was first broadcast on BBC Three on 28 November 2024 and BBC iPlayer.{{Cite news |last=Aroesti |first=Rachel |date=2024-11-28 |title=Smoggie Queens review – an adorably sweet drag sitcom |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/nov/28/smoggie-queens-review-an-adorably-sweet-drag-sitcom |access-date=2025-02-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Louise |date=2024-11-28 |title=Excitement at Smoggie Queens premiere |url=https://northeastbylines.co.uk/region/teesside/excitement-at-smoggie-queens-premiere/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=northeastbylines.co.uk |language=en-GB}} Smoggie in the title is a demonym for people from Middlesbrough.{{Cite web |title='Not quite a Geordie': the folk-ethnonyms of north-east England [Nomina 37 ISSN 0141-6340] |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338254202 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20211005000632/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338254202_'Not_quite_a_Geordie'_the_folk-ethnonyms_of_north-east_England_Nomina_37_ISSN_0141_6340 |archive-date=2021-10-05 |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=ResearchGate |language=en}}
There are a number of cameos including Michelle Visage and Steph McGovern.{{Cite web |title=Michelle Visage and Charlotte Riley among supporting cast for upcoming BBC Comedy, Smoggie Queens |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2024/smoggie-queens-casting-announcement |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en}} The series is produced by Hat Trick Productions, and has funding support by North East Screen Industries Partnership delivered by North East Screen. The worldwide distribution is by Hat Trick International.
On 24 March 2025, the BBC announced that Smoggie Queens has been recommissioned for a second series.{{Cite web |title=Smoggie Queens recommissioned for a second series on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2025/smoggie-queens-series-two |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en}}
Cast and crew<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guide |first=British Comedy |title=Smoggie Queens cast and crew credits |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/smoggie-queens/cast_crew/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=British Comedy Guide |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Guyoncourt |first=Sally |date=2024-11-28 |title=Smoggie Queens cast in full - and where you've seen them before |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/smoggie-queens-cast-in-full-and-where-youve-seen-them-before-3405636?srsltid=AfmBOooHLY7gAoO9uNbCPC17kOPJdZtT4zMqch0ImOSq-PDigY7vNYFB |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=The i Paper |language=en-US}}</ref>
| class="wikitable"
|Phil Dunning |Dickie |
| Mark Benton
|Mam |
| Alexandra Mardell
|Lucinda |
| Elijah Young
|Stewart |
| Patsy Lowe
|Sal |
| Neil Grainger
|Neil |
| Charlotte Riley
|Danni |
| Peter McPherson
|Harrison |
| Michael Mather
|Bobby |
| Ashley Artus
|Victor Starbright |
| Lauryn Redding
|Mel |
| class="wikitable"
|+Writer |Phil Dunning |Writer |
| class="wikitable"
|+Crew |Andrew Chaplin |Director |
| Chris Jones
|Producer |
| Jimmy Mulville
|Executive Producer |
| Jessica Sharkey
|Executive Producer |
| Gregor Sharp
|Executive Producer |
| Charlotte Wolff
|Line Producer |
| Charlie Fawcett
|Editor |
| Andy Kinnear
|Editor |
| Alex Nikolaidou
|Production Designer |
| Sam Claypole
|Casting Director |
| Ryan Hooper
|Costume Designer |
| Matt Wicks
|Director of Photography |
| Jessica Richardson
|Make-up Designer |
| Kim Sellwood
|Graphics |
| La' Toyah McDonald
|1st Assistant Director |
Reviews
Rachel Aroesti of The Guardian gave the series as 3 out of 5 stars "This series about a tight-knit queer community joyfully celebrates British camp culture – from deadpan humour to loving Lorraine Kelly. What a shame it’s not more funny"
Yvonne Wancke of North East Bylines said "I watched BBC's Smoggie Queens over the Christmas break and what a delight! It's funny, charming, delightful, and moving – all at once. The writing is awesome and the cast are truly splendid. A must watch in my opinion."{{cn|date=May 2025}}
Nick Levine of The i Paper gave 4 out of 5 stars "Smoggie Queens is a reminder that queer people form chosen families all over the country, not just in big cities like London and Manchester that are traditionally seen as more accepting. It might be packed with daft laughs, but it's also thoroughly comforting – no mean feat for a show that drops the word “gooch” in its opening scene."{{Cite web |last=Levine |first=Nick |date=2024-11-28 |title=Smoggie Queens is a surreal love letter to Middlesbrough |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/smoggie-queens-review-love-letter-middlesbrough-3400512?srsltid=AfmBOopMxg205S3fCMGPXQhKMghosxd9EkbIz_VWGpYkZL_uctjd6JEu |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=The i Paper |language=en-US}}
Awards
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Award !Category !Nominee !Result !Citation |
| 2025
|Royal Television Society RTS North East and the Border Awards |Comedy Award |Smoggie Queens |Won |
| 2025
|Royal Television Society RTS North East and the Border Awards |Best Newcomer |Phil Dunning |Won |
| 2025
|Comedy.co.uk Awards |Best New Sitcom |Smoggie Queens |Result pending |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{BBC programme|m0024pgt}}
- {{IMDb title|tt32315886}}
- {{British Comedy Guide|tv|smoggie_queens}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smoggie Queens}}
Category:2024 British television series debuts
Category:2020s British sitcoms
Category:BBC high definition shows
Category:BBC television sitcoms
Category:British English-language television shows