Real Women

Only short, but I watched the first episode of the second series last night on BBC1. It was fantastic. The wonderful Frances Barber was a delight to watch; she should get far more credit than she generally receives. She gave a convincing, tight portrayal of the life of a professional lesbian.

Overall, I believe this to be the jewel in the BBC's crown of the Autumn season. The old stalwart of casualty despite being well acted and scripted is getting, in my opinion a little tired in format. Long live REAL WOMEN!

This is one of the most entertaining Tv-series I've ever seen. The storyline is really good: 5 good friends ( all girls) come together when one of them is getting married. They all have their problems to deal with. The character that moved me the most was Karen, a lesbian teacher who struggles with her "coming out". Karen is played by Lesley Manville does a fantastic job....!! Real women is really great!!(:

This is an excellent series, the acting is superb by all concerned. Though I must complement Pauline Quirke as she brings such a range of emotions to the role. I laughed like a drain at last nights episode when they were running down the racecourse. Also the lesbian storyline is good, it made me feel indignant when she was being persecuted. I was also sad when she told her family and her father walked out of the room.They must have had such fun making this series.

Monday were something to look forward too. Sitting on the luxurious sofa, with big bags of crisps and over-sized bottles of wines, I truly looked forward to a Monday evening. Then a programme came on. A programme which touched me with its emotion, humour and passion. Real Women. A story of five friends who were born and brought up in London, each going to their ways. Marriage and work separated them, but when news of Susie's (Michelle Collins) wedding gets out, the 'mates' are rejoined to catch up from the past and look towards the future. Mandy (Pauline Quirke), the mother, Anna (Frances Barber), the one who apparently has it all, Janet (Gwyneth Strong) the struggling wife, Karen (Lesley Manville), the listener and Susie, the wife-to-be.

Truly amazing. Its a three-part soap which will make any family want to watch it, over and over again!

With an all-star cast and superb direction, Real Women is a programme which is quite simply...excellent!