Dope Girls takes place at the end of World War One as Britain celebrates the Armistice (Image: BBC)
Eliza Scanlen plays Violet Davies, a young woman from Northern England who arrives to interview for the police force.
She goes undercover as a sex worker to infiltrate Soho’s nightclubs but soon finds herself part of an unconventional family of women. Australian actress Eliza, 26, is known for her roles in Sharp Objects and Little Women, as well as her stint as Tabitha Ford in Home and Away.
Dope Girls, set in the aftermath of World War One as Britain rejoices over the Armistice, sees men returning to London with expectations of resuming their pre-war lives. However, women, now empowered, are reluctant to revert back to domestic roles.
Keen to maintain their newfound freedom, Kate Galloway establishes a vast illicit underground clubland as their haven. The six-part series premieres tonight, and here’s all you need to know about the characters and cast.
Julianne Nicholson portrays Kate Galloway
Kate heads to London and she is enticed by the club world and what it can offer her (Image: BBC)
Julianne Nicholson portrays Kate Galloway, who we first encounter living in a small English village. As the men return from war, she discovers her husband has been killed, leaving her burdened with substantial debt.
Drawn to London and the allure of the club world, Kate sees potential for a new life. Actress Julianne Nicholson, 53, is married to Jonathan Cake and is renowned for her roles in Law and Order, Mare of Easttown and most recently, the hit Disney+ series, Paradise.
She started her career as a model before transitioning into acting.
Eliza Scanlen plays Violet Davies
Violet Davies is a young woman who has come from Northern England to interview for the police force (Image: BBC)
Violet Davies is a young woman who has come from Northern England to interview for the police force. She goes undercover as a sex worker to infiltrate the nightclubs of Soho but quickly finds herself part of an unconventional family of women.
Actress Eliza, 26, is Australian and viewers will recognise her fro roles in Sharp Objects and as Beth in Little Women. She also spent a number of years as Tabitha Ford in Home and Away.
Umi Myers takes on the role of Billie Cassidy.
Billie Cassidy is an artist and dancer (Image: BBC)
Billie Cassidy, portrayed by the talented artist and dancer Umi, is a trailblazer in the Soho nightclub scene. Umi shared: “She is a pioneer in this world. She is performing things that other people wouldn’t be performing in these nightclubs. Which is where she works and where we meet her, in the nightclub scene in Soho.”
Umi, a British stage, television, and film actress, has an impressive resume including her debut in Silent Witness and a role in the musical biopic Bob Marley: One Love.
Eilidh Fisher plays Evie Galloway
When we first meet Evie she is at boarding school but when her father dies (Image: BBC)
Eilidh Fisher takes on the role of Evie Galloway, a young girl whose life takes a dramatic turn when she moves to London from boarding school after her father’s death. As she delves into the underground scene of Soho, Evie makes some daring choices.
Eilidh, a Scottish talent, has previously shone in productions like The Power and The Outrun.
Michael Duke plays Eddie Cobb
Eddie Cobb is described as a “bohemian, traveller, creative, artist” (Image: BBC)
Michael Duke brings to life the character of Eddie Cobb, a bohemian artist who expresses himself through his art in Soho’s vibrant nightclubs. Eddie is determined to “challenge the status quo, be unconventional and get rid of stereotypes and challenge those things” throughout the series.
Michael Duke, although new to television, has graced the stage in the West End’s Bob Marley musical Get Up Stand Up!
Geraldine James plays Isabella Salucci
Isabella Salucci had to leave Sicily 40 years ago and now lives in London with her family (Image: BBC)
Geraldine James stars as Isabella Salucci, a formidable matriarch with a dark past involving Sicilian organised crime. Having left Sicily 40 years ago, Isabella now resides in London, wielding control and exhibiting a lethal edge within her family’s criminal enterprises.
Geradline, 74, a celebrated actress and OBE recipient, is renowned for her diverse roles in popular productions such as Anne with an E, Downton Abbey, Sherlock Holmes and Calendar Girls.