Sapphics, rise! The BBC has unveiled the 10 contestants competing on I Kissed a Girl.
The queer female equivalent of last year’s I Kissed a Boy, which memorably made history as the UK’s first-ever same-sex dating series, it is set to premiere on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer from Sunday 5 May.
In the same vein as its predecessor, the first episode of I Kissed a Girl introduces 10 contestants who will be matched up and, upon meeting each other for the first time, share a kiss.
Throughout the course of the series, the contestants will decide whether they want to stay with their current partner via a series of “kiss-offs” or match with someone new.
Australian pop icon Dannii Minogue returns to her role as Cupid, while TikTok star and comedian Charley Marlowe will replace Layton Williams as the narrator.
In a statement, Marlowe celebrated being involved in the “queerest thing I’ve ever seen”: “It just doesn’t feel real.
“I’m such a lucky little lesbian and am so grateful to have this opportunity. It’s also UNREAL to have my loud northern voice blaring throughout the series.”
Minogue also commemorated the announcement, as well as Lesbian Visibility Week, with a short teaser revealing the cast, which you can view here.
You can check out the 10 cast members, as well as the first new arrival, below!
Abbie
Age: 24
From: Brighton
Occupation: Makeup and hair stylist
“What I loved most about the show was how comfortable I instantly felt around all the girls, in a judgement free environment, allowing myself to be vulnerable in conversations around sexuality.”
Amy
Age: 24
From: Surrey
Occupation: Social media manager
“We made Herstory! I can only imagine the sense of validation and belonging that me and my sisters would have felt had we had this kind of representation on our telly growing up (the closet was cramped in our house). From me, you can expect boots, boob and a boatload of banter.”
Cara
Age: 25
From: Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
Occupation: Aesthetician
“Coming from a small town in Northern Ireland, the rare chance to be in an environment exclusively full of queer women was an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Demi
Age: 23
From: Hemel Hempstead
Occupation: Publishing executive
“I was able to be one hundred percent unapologetically myself and I got to experience being part of a close-knit queer community.”
Fiorenza
Age: 22
From: Glasgow
Occupation: Drummer
“I’m very proud to be a part of the show, especially the first season for the girls! It should have existed years ago. We need more representation for lesbian relationships and what the dating life of a lezza entails as it’s such a unique and special thing that should be shown everywhere!”
Georgia
Age: 28
From: Hunmanby, North Yorkshire
Occupation: Professional footballer
“My goal was not to cry on television and I think I made it to day two. It’s amazing that there’s finally a show like this out there. It’s incredible representation and I’m just so glad I got to be a part of it.”
Lisha
Age:22
From: Caernarfon, Wales
Occupation: Psychology undergraduate
“The show is a step forward for the LGBTQ+ community and will hopefully help others have the courage to come out and be true to themselves.”
Meg
Age: 24
From: Goole, West Yorkshire
Occupation: Fire breather
“I loved the opportunity to meet so many beautiful queer girlies and being able to explore my type. I will definitely be bringing some heat to the show… in many ways.”
Naee
Age: 25
From: London
Occupation: Engineer
“I am proud to represent masculine-presenting women of colour who are gay. You do not see a lot of us on TV so I’m proud to be an addition to that little presented category. Viewers can expect their heads to be glued to the TV honestly. It is THAT good.”
Priya
Age: 23
From: Newport, South Wales
Occupation: Hotel customer service
“Being a Punjabi woman, I am so proud to represent my heritage and the South Asian community. This show embodies love, diversity and being unapologetically queer.”
FIRST NEW GIRL INCOMING:
Eva
Age: 22
From: Belfast
Occupation: Fashion graduate
“I used to search and search the internet for any WLW (women who love women) when coming to terms with my sexuality, so something like this is amazing.”