Material Girl (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Material Girl is a British romantic comedy
produced by Carnival Films
, that first aired on BBC One
on 14 January 2010. It stars Lenora Crichlow
, Dervla Kirwan
and Michael Landes
.
Set in the fashion world, it was inspired by the book Fashion Babylon
. It was described in one of the early promotional items as "a romantic comedy about a young fashion designer battling an evil ex-boss, a sexy-but-devilish business partner and snobby fashionistas to get her break in work and love".
. There were 6 episodes in total. The series also aired on BBC HD
, with a late repeat the same night on BBC Three
.
Critical reviews of the series based on the pilot were mixed, with the London Evening Standard calling it a "jaw-droppingly, buttock-clenchingly dreadful pieces of television". Reviewing the first episode for The Guardian
, Sam Wollaston said: "OK, it's silly and deeply shallow. It's also gorgeous, fizzy, bitchy, self-indulgent, obviously bad for you but dangerously addictive. Careful, Material Girl could become a habit."
Romantic Comedy
Romantic Comedy can refer to* Romantic Comedy , a 1979 play written by Bernard Slade* Romantic Comedy , a 1983 film adapted from the play and starring Dudley Moore and Mary Steenburgen...
produced by Carnival Films
Carnival Films
Carnival Films is a British television production company, founded by Brian Eastman in 1978 as Picture Partnership Productions Limited and run by Gareth Neame since 2005. The company swiftly built up a strong reputation as an independent production company of theatre, film and television drama...
, that first aired on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
on 14 January 2010. It stars Lenora Crichlow
Lenora Crichlow
Lenora Isabella Crichlow is a British actress best known for playing Annie in the science fiction drama Being Human.-Background:...
, Dervla Kirwan
Dervla Kirwan
Dervla Kirwan is an Irish actress famous for roles in British television shows such as Ballykissangel and Goodnight Sweetheart...
and Michael Landes
Michael Landes
Michael Christopher Landes is an American actor. He is known for his roles of Jimmy Olsen in the first season of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Detective Nicholas O'Malley in Special Unit 2, Officer Thomas Burke in Final Destination 2, and David Conlon in The Wedding Bells.-Lois...
.
Set in the fashion world, it was inspired by the book Fashion Babylon
Fashion Babylon
Fashion Babylon is a 2006 book by British author and journalist Imogen Edwards-Jones and "anonymous", exploring the world of fashion. The book is set to follow the life and times of a small fashion house based in London...
. It was described in one of the early promotional items as "a romantic comedy about a young fashion designer battling an evil ex-boss, a sexy-but-devilish business partner and snobby fashionistas to get her break in work and love".
Cast
- Lenora CrichlowLenora CrichlowLenora Isabella Crichlow is a British actress best known for playing Annie in the science fiction drama Being Human.-Background:...
- Ali Redcliffe, a young fashion designer attempting to make a name for herself - Dervla KirwanDervla KirwanDervla Kirwan is an Irish actress famous for roles in British television shows such as Ballykissangel and Goodnight Sweetheart...
- Davina Bailey, the current hot designer, who is not about to allow an upstart like Ali take her spotlight - Michael LandesMichael LandesMichael Christopher Landes is an American actor. He is known for his roles of Jimmy Olsen in the first season of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Detective Nicholas O'Malley in Special Unit 2, Officer Thomas Burke in Final Destination 2, and David Conlon in The Wedding Bells.-Lois...
- Marco Keriliak, fashion businessman, Ali's business partner - O. T. Fagbenle - Chris, motorcycle courier and Ali's ex boyfriend
- Nick BloodNick BloodBold textAn English actor, born on the 20th of March 1982 in London.He has tarred as Alex, Ali's gay flatmate who works as a designer in the BBC drama Material girl Currently he portrays the butcher Kieran in the Sky 1 serial Comdey...
- Alex, Davina's fashion assistant, Ali's friend and gay flatmate - Ingrid OliverIngrid OliverIngrid Oliver is a British actress and comedian, and one half of comedic double act Watson and Oliver.-Career:In September 2005, Ingrid Oliver and Lorna Watson performed their first show together at The Canal Cafe Theatre in London...
- Mimi Throckmorton, Ali's friend, stockist at a fashion magazine-cum stylist - Anna BrewsterAnna Brewster-Acting career:Anna has appeared in the films Anita and Me, Mrs Henderson Presents, Hippie Hippie Shake with Sienna Miller and Cillian Murphy and How to Lose Friends & Alienate People...
- Lydia Kane, supermodel and Ali's friend - Esther Smith - Trish, Ali's studio receptionist
- Joanna KanskaJoanna KanskaPolish born Joanna Kanska is an actress, who has starred in films, television programmes, theatre and radio, predominantly in her adopted homeland of England...
- Dorota, Ali's studio dress maker - Malcolm SinclairMalcolm SinclairMalcolm Sinclair is a British stage and television actor. He is perhaps best known for his role as 'Assistant Chief Constable Freddy Fisher' in the television series Pie in the Sky , although he has an extensive number of film, television and theatre roles to his credit...
- Mitchell Crompton, leading fashion critic - Sadie Pickering - Louise, works for fashion magazine
- Lindsey CoulsonLindsey CoulsonLindsey Coulson is an English actress, best known for her role as Carol Jackson in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.- Career :...
- Christina Redcliffe, Ali's mother - Anthony CalfAnthony CalfAnthony Calf is a British actor, born in Hammersmith, London, England. He studied acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art . He has recurring roles in the television medical drama Holby City, as Michael Beauchamp, and New Tricks as Strickland...
- Anthony Chatsworth, an influential fashion magazine editor, had affair with Mimi
Episodes
Series 1 began on 14 January 2010 on BBC OneBBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
. There were 6 episodes in total. The series also aired on BBC HD
BBC HD
BBC HD is a high-definition television network provided by the BBC. The service was initially run as a trial from 15 May 2006 until becoming a full service on 1 December 2007...
, with a late repeat the same night on BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
.
| Episode | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reception
The first episode gained 3 million viewers with a 12% audience share, which fell to 2.6 million (11% share) for the third episode.Critical reviews of the series based on the pilot were mixed, with the London Evening Standard calling it a "jaw-droppingly, buttock-clenchingly dreadful pieces of television". Reviewing the first episode for The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, Sam Wollaston said: "OK, it's silly and deeply shallow. It's also gorgeous, fizzy, bitchy, self-indulgent, obviously bad for you but dangerously addictive. Careful, Material Girl could become a habit."