There’s nothing like bingeing a period drama over the weekend, and the BBC has the perfect show for you if you’re in the mood for something short.

Airing last year, Dope Girls was a 1920s-set period drama that was based on the 1992 book Dope Girls: The Birth of the British Drug Underground by Marek Kohn. The show charted the birth of the nightclub scene in London and the six-part drama focused on the lives of Kate Meyrick, Billie Carleton and Edgar Manning.

Kate, who lived between 1875 and 1933 was referred to as the ‘Night Club Queen’ at the time, but alongside her business empire, she also had criminal tendencies and served five different jail sentences; she was also the inspiration for Ma Mayfield in Brideshead Revisited.

Meanwhile, Edgar was a successful jazz musician of the time, who was referred to as the ‘dope-king’ of the time period, while Billie was a famous actress of the time who died from a cocaine overdose at the age of 22 on 28 November 1918.

A synopsis for the show reads: “As WWI ends, housewife Kate Galloway sets up a nightclub in Soho to support her daughters; Kate must contend with a dangerous gangster family and the police to survive.”

Although the series was critically acclaimed, the BBC opted to cancel Dope Girls after just one season. A BBC spokesperson at the time said: “Dope Girls was a bold and groundbreaking series – which we are very proud of – but we can confirm that it will not return.”

What did fans make of Dope Girls?

Despite being cancelled, the show was a smash-hit with viewers, with the show managing an approval rating of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.

One viewer enthused: “Stylish, thrilling and dazzling in equal measure. Great to see a gangster flick with women at the forefront, vying for a piece of the action in a violent but boisterous post-war London.”

A second penned: “Thoroughly enjoyed Dope Girls. Post 1914-18 wartime London must have seen an explosive awakening after so much carnage. The excellent Geraldine James plays a nightclub owner dodging between an Italian stand-over family and a corrupt policeman while still managing to count the proceeds behind the bar counter. Very entertaining.”

Sebastian Croft in a still image from Dope Girls© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Bad Wold/Kevin Baker
Fans and critics loved the series

Meanwhile a third added: “The cast is really talented, and they bring a lot of personality to their roles. Each character feels real, and I found myself rooting for them as they navigated their ups and downs. The writing feels relatable, and the dialogue flows naturally, which adds a nice touch.”

In a three-star review for The Guardian, Rebecca Nicholson opined: “Its ambition is entertaining, and it is hard to get bored, especially when the crime really gets going. If it is skewed towards a younger audience, then it certainly doesn’t skimp on the brutality or the gore: limbs are severed, tongues are removed and eaten, and you wouldn’t want to guess where a hairpin ends up. It is fun, gory and lively, then, if a little too in love with its own reflection.”

Who stars in Dope Girls?

The series featured an impressive cast comprising Julianne Nicholson (Boardwalk Empire), Eliza Scanlen (Little Women), Umi Myers (Bob Marley: One Love), Eilidh Fisher (Call the Midwife), Sebastian Croft (Heartstopper), Geraldine James (Downton Abbey), Rory Fleck Byrne (Vampire Academy) and Dustin Demri-Burns (Slow Horses).

Eliza Scanlen, Julianne Nicholson, Eilidh Fisher and Umi Myers in a promotional image for Dope Girls© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Bad Wolf/Ray Burmiston
The show starred several major actresses

Also joining the cast are Eben Figueiredo (Solo: A Star Wars Story), Michael Duke (The Capture), Ian Bonar (Skyfall), Nabhaan Rizwan (Informer), Priya Kansara (Bridgerton) and Jordan Kouamé (Malpractice).

Its cast is completed by Will Keen (His Dark Materials), Fiona Button (The Split) and Harry Cadby (A Woman of Substance).