Queenie: watch the new trailer for the TV adaptation of Candice Carty-Williams’s bestselling book

queenie tv series: everything to know

Credit: Channel 4

Under Her Eye


Queenie: watch the new trailer for the TV adaptation of Candice Carty-Williams’s bestselling book

3 min read

Queenie – the adaptation of Candice Carty-Williams’s bestselling book – is coming to Channel 4 very soon.


Candice Carty-Williams’s debut novel, Queenie, has been a firm favourite with critics and fans alike ever since it first hit bookshelves back in 2019. Not only did it win book of the year at the British Book Awards in 2020, but Carty-Williams also became the first Black author to scoop the prize since it began in 1994.

We’ve known that a TV adaptation was in the works (Carty-Williams told us so herself) for some time. That was exciting enough, quite frankly… until now, that is. Because, finally, Queenie the TV series is no longer a twinkle in the author’s eye, but an actual greenlit series coming to Channel 4, and the official trailer was released this week.

What is the plot of Queenie?

For the few people left out there who haven’t read the book, it tells the tale of Queenie Jenkins, a 25-year-old Jamaican British woman whose life starts to unravel when she takes a break from her long-term boyfriend. Dealing with her many questionable decisions and misadventures, the book offers up a furiously funny, endlessly moving, and – at times – quietly devastating take on millennial life from an underrepresented perspective.

As Channel 4’s official synopsis puts it: “Queenie is about heartbreak and bad dates and worse sex. It’s about south London and the gentrification that’s chipping away at it and what it represents. It’s about race, identity, culture and the politics that shape you. It’s about the love of friends, the chaos of family and community and all the other varying relationships in between, but especially the one with yourself.

“Razor sharp, utterly honest, blisteringly funny, and achingly yet beautifully relatable, Queenie the TV series will be full of as much heart and soul as the lady herself. At its core, it’s a story about a young Black woman’s values and the unrelenting trials and tribulations of life.”

Who will star in Queenie?

So who will take on the formidable character? None other than Dionne Brown, who you may know from her roles in Criminal Record and The Walk-In.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing Queenie to screens with Channel 4, Disney, Lionsgate and Candice. I’ve been in love with the book since the moment I read it so to be able to audition much less play her [Queenie] is a dream come true and I can’t wait for everyone to see exactly what we’ve been working on behind the scenes,” she said of the role.

queenie tv series: everything to know

Credit: Channel 4

queenie tv series: everything to know

Credit: Channel 4

queenie tv series: everything to know

Credit: Channel 4

As for the rest of the cast, Queenie’s long-term boyfriend Tom will be played by Jon Pointing (Big Boys) with Samuel Adewunmi (Secret Invasion and You Don’t Know Me) as Frank, a man with his own van and grand plans in life. Singer Bellah will also make her screen debut as Kyazike, Queenie’s longest-serving best friend from school.

For Queenie’s family, Llewella Gideon (GameFace) is Grandma Veronica, Michelle Greenidge (After Life) plays Aunty Maggie and Cristale De’Abreu makes her TV debut as Queenie’s little cousin Diana.

Rounding out the stellar group is Love Island host Laura Whitmore who will play a health professional, Sally Phillips (Bridget Jones) plays Gina, the hard-bitten editor where Queenie works at The Daily Read; Tilly Keeper (You) is Queenie’s colleague Darcy; Elisha Applebaum (Fate: The Winx Saga) plays Queenie’s best friend from university, Cassandra; and Mim Shaikh (Informer) will be resident wideboy Adi.

Following the announcement, Carty-Williams, who will be also writing and creating the series, shared: “I can’t imagine bringing Queenie to life without each member of this exciting and enviable cast. Each of these actors has brought their own essence to each role, breathing new life into this adaptation, and revitalising my own relationships with characters who have lived in my head for almost a decade. I can’t wait for viewers to see the chemistry, the talent and the brilliance of Queenie, her family and her friends, her lovers and her frenemies.”

When will Queenie be released?

There’s no confirmed date as of yet but we do know that the eight-episode series will land on screens in the US on 7 June 2024, so we’re hopeful we’ll also get to visit Queenie’s world very soon over here. While we wait for more information, hit play on the trailer. There’s a lot to unpack…


Images: Channel 4

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