Trying to recall British TV drama from 2000s about teen model

March 24, 2024 2:58 PM

I'm not from the UK so I might use some wrong terminology here, but the show I'm trying to remember was a scripted series -- definitely NOT a reality show -- about a teenage girl from a "low class" sort of of neighborhood who got scouted as a model and tried to fit it with her regular life.

Things I remember:

No earlier than 2000, no later than 2015. I think two series, maybe 12 episodes total. Possibly the title included some play on the word "Beauty" or "Pretty".

The main character teenage girl was dark-haired, either from a "low-class" neighborhood of the greater London area or from a smaller city that's generally associated with working class.

I think the actress playing the modeling scout/agent may have done a guest spot in the Doctor Who revival?

She tried to fit her new modeling career in with her normal school and social life. I don't think she kept it secret, just that she was apprehensive about the two worlds meeting.

Her parents were both alive, they weren't dysfunctional, they were supportive and not (AFAIR) exploitive of her new career, but they were definitely out-of-place accompanying her to London for fashion shoots and runway shows, etc.

She had an older sister who was generally considered "the pretty one" and was deeply jealous that the scout didn't think she had the right look for modeling. There may have been a brother as well.

If I remember anything else I'll drop it below. Thanks for any help you can give!

posted by The Pluto Gangsta to Media & Arts (2 answers total)

Best answer: Oh man I can’t believe I found it without having seen it. It’s Drop Dead Gorgeous and you’re spot on with all the details.
posted by lokta at 4:37 PM on March 24 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: That is it, thanks very much! I guess that explains why looking it up was difficult, as it shares a title with a movie that came out in 1999. Trying to look up "BBC series in 2000s about teen model" just came up with a thousand reality show clips.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 8:53 AM on March 25