BBC Three presents new musical drama Glasgow Girls

Gary Lewis (Billy Elliot, Gangs Of New York) and Greg Hemphill (Still Game) will join co-stars Kirstie Steele, Erin Armstrong, Letitia Wright, Aruhan Galieva and Olivia Popica in Glasgow Girls, a 60-minute factual and musical drama, offered as part of the BBC’s Commonwealth Games programming.

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 National Theatre for Scotland musical, directed by Cora Bissett and written by David Greig. The BBC film is a new version of the Glasgow Girls story brought to life by a talented cast, with contemporary musical moments enhancing the story and themes.

Gary Lewis plays Drumchapel High's bilingual support teacher Euan Girvan and Greg Hemphill take on the role of First Minister of Scotland Jack McConnell. Kirstie Steele plays Jennifer and Erin Armstrong will plays Emma, Roza will be played by Aruhan Galieva, Agnesa by Olivia Popica, Amal by Letitia Wright, Ewelina is played by Effie Scott and Toni-Lee by Kirsty Pickering.

Glasgow Girls is executive produced by BAFTA and Emmy award-winning Colin Barr for Minnow Films, who says: “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.”

It was commissioned by Zai Bennett, Former Controller, BBC Three, who said: "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."

The film was directed by Brian Welsh (The Escape Artist, Black Mirror, In Our Name) who has co-wrote the script with Joe Barton, who is also writing an epic three-part World War One drama for BBC Three.

The drama is produced by Kate Cook for Minnow Films, an award-winning production company, whose work includes the BAFTA and RTS winning The Fallen (BBC Two) and 7/7: One Day in London (BBC Two). Maxine Watson is the Commissioning Editor for the BBC.

Glasgow Girls is part of the BBC’s year-long contribution to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The BBC is the domestic broadcaster for Glasgow 2014 and in addition to comprehensive sports coverage during The Games in July and August, the Corporation has also unveiled a wide-ranging package of on-air and off-air output and events throughout 2014.

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Related BBC Links

• BBC Sport: Glasgow 2014
• BBC Three