BBC’s ‘Dope Girls’ Explores Women’s Role in Post-WWI London’s Illicit Nightlife

The new drama examines the rise of female empowerment and underground club culture in 1918 Soho.

‘Dope Girls,’ a six-part BBC drama, premieres this weekend, focusing on women navigating post-World War I societal shifts in London.
The series follows Kate Galloway, a widowed mother who starts a nightclub to support her family, and other women entangled in Soho’s underground scene.
Inspired by Marek Kohn’s book, the show highlights the intersection of crime, nightlife, and female agency during a transformative historical period.
Filmed in Wales and London, the production recreates 1918 Soho with elaborate sets and authentic period details.
The cast includes Julianne Nicholson, Eliza Scanlen, and Umi Myers, with characters exploring themes of empowerment, trauma, and rebellion.