| Smoggie Queens | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by |
|
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Andrew Chaplin |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Chris Jones |
| Running time | 28-29 mins |
| Production company | Hat Trick Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | 28 November 2024 (2024-11-28) – present |
Smoggie Queens is a British television sitcom created by Phil Dunning set in Middlesbrough focusing on the chosen family and lives of a group of LGBTQ friends. It premiered at Middlesbrough Town Hall and was first broadcast on BBC Three on 28 November 2024 and BBC iPlayer.[1][2] Smoggie in the title is a demonym for people from Middlesbrough.[3]
There are a number of cameos including Michelle Visage and Steph McGovern.[4] The series is produced by Hat Trick Productions, and has funding support by North East Screen Industries Partnership delivered by North East Screen. The worldwide distribution is by Hat Trick International.[4]
On 24 March 2025, the BBC announced that Smoggie Queens has been recommissioned for a second series which was released on 15 May 2026.[5]
Cast and characters
Main cast
- Phil Dunning as Dickie
- Mark Benton as Mam
- Alexandra Mardell as Lucinda
- Elijah Young as Stewart
- Patsy Lowe as Sal
- Neil Grainger as Neil
Supporting and guest characters
- Michael Hodgson as Nan
- Charlotte Riley as Danni
- Monica Dolan as Paula (Series 2)
- Peter McPherson as Harrison
- Michael Mather as Bobby
- Ashley Artus as Victor Starbright
- Lauryn Redding as Mel
- Bill Fellows as Keith
- Michelle Visage as Elaine
- Steph McGovern as herself
- Jeff Stelling as himself (Series 2)
- Chris Kamara as himself (Series 2)
- Melanie Hill as Vanessa (Series 2)
Episodes
Series overview
Series 1 (2024)
| No. overall | No. in series | Title [8] | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "A Smoggie Break-Up" | Tom Kingsley | Phil Dunning | 28 November 2024 (2024-11-28) |
| 2 | 2 | "A Smoggie Fairy Tale" | Andrew Chaplin | Phil Dunning | 28 November 2024 (2024-11-28) |
| 3 | 3 | "A Smoggie Feud" | Andrew Chaplin | Phil Dunning | 28 November 2024 (2024-11-28) |
| 4 | 4 | "A Smoggie Murder" | Andrew Chaplin | Phil Dunning | 28 November 2024 (2024-11-28) |
| 5 | 5 | "A Smoggie Birthday" | Andrew Chaplin | Phil Dunning | 28 November 2024 (2024-11-28) |
| 6 | 6 | "A Smoggie Pride" | Andrew Chaplin | Phil Dunning | 28 November 2024 (2024-11-28) |
Series 2 (2026)
| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1 | "A Smoggie Search Party" | Tom Marshall | Phil Dunning | 15 May 2026 (2026-05-15) |
| 8 | 2 | "A Smoggie Date" | Tom Marshall | Phil Dunning | 15 May 2026 (2026-05-15) |
| 9 | 3 | "A Smoggie Social" | Tom Marshall | Phil Dunning | 15 May 2026 (2026-05-15) |
| 10 | 4 | "A Smoggie Match" | Tom Marshall | Phil Dunning | 15 May 2026 (2026-05-15) |
| 11 | 5 | "A Smoggie Pageant" | Tom Marshall | Phil Dunning | 15 May 2026 (2026-05-15) |
| 12 | 6 | "A Smoggie Show" | Tom Marshall | Phil Dunning | 15 May 2026 (2026-05-15) |
Reviews
Rachel Aroesti of The Guardian gave the series as 3 out of 5 stars "This series about a tight-knit queer community joyfully celebrates British camp culture – from deadpan humour to loving Lorraine Kelly. What a shame it’s not more funny."[1]
Yvonne Wancke of North East Bylines said "I watched BBC's Smoggie Queens over the Christmas break and what a delight! It's funny, charming, delightful, and moving – all at once. The writing is awesome and the cast are truly splendid. A must watch in my opinion."[9]
Nick Levine of The i Paper gave 4 out of 5 stars, saying "Smoggie Queens is a reminder that queer people form chosen families all over the country, not just in big cities like London and Manchester that are traditionally seen as more accepting. It might be packed with daft laughs, but it's also thoroughly comforting – no mean feat for a show that drops the word “gooch” in its opening scene."[10]
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Royal Television Society RTS North East and the Border Awards | Comedy Award | Smoggie Queens | Won | [11] |
| 2025 | Royal Television Society RTS North East and the Border Awards | Best Newcomer | Phil Dunning | Won | [11] |
| 2025 | Comedy.co.uk Awards | Best New Sitcom | Smoggie Queens | Nominated | [12] |
References
- Aroesti, Rachel (2024-11-28). "Smoggie Queens review – an adorably sweet drag sitcom". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
- Brown, Louise (2024-11-28). "Excitement at Smoggie Queens premiere". northeastbylines.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
- "'Not quite a Geordie': the folk-ethnonyms of north-east England [Nomina 37 ISSN 0141-6340]". ResearchGate. Archived from the original on 2021-10-05. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
- "Michelle Visage and Charlotte Riley among supporting cast for upcoming BBC Comedy, Smoggie Queens". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
- "Smoggie Queens recommissioned for a second series on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
- Guide, British Comedy. "Smoggie Queens cast and crew credits". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
- Guyoncourt, Sally (2024-11-28). "Smoggie Queens cast in full - and where you've seen them before". The i Paper. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
- BBC iPlayer. "BBC iPlayer - Smoggie Queens".
- Yvonne Wancke (1 January 2025). "Smoggie Queens: a must watch!". North East Bylines. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
- Levine, Nick (2024-11-28). "Smoggie Queens is a surreal love letter to Middlesbrough". The i Paper. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
- "North East-based TV show wins at RTS North East and the Border Awards". The Northern Echo. 2025-02-16. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
- Bennett, Steve. "Comedy.co.uk 2024 awards finalists announced : News 2025 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". www.chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-02-23.