Russell T Davies and the cast of Queer as Folk | BFI Q&A

[@ianp7661]

Queer as Folk changed my life. I was 10 years old when I secretly put my tv on (I was supposed to be sleeping) in my bedroom. I remember knowing I was different but couldn’t understand what was going on in my head and it was causing me stress. When I saw that first episode of QAF, it was like a explosions and fireworks in my brain. I could now identify that I was gay and it was a revelation! Of course, I shouldn’t have been watching the show at that age but I was glad I had my own tv and bedroom. Years later I lived a similar life to Nathan, but when I was 16/17. I’m from Manchester too, and started to meet a couple online and they took me out clubbing and to parties and bars (all on Canal St). I got involved with situations a young teen shouldn't really have been experiencing, but I was a willing participant and wanted to be part of the Manchester gay scene. I wanted to find my people and escape the straight, small town world I had felt extremely restricted by. It’s quite scary how similar my story was to Nathan’s. Maybe it was me subconsciously trying to recreate his storyline I had watched glamorised years before when I was 10. I’m 33 now and have just rewatched QAF after many years. What the series fails to properly address is the dark side of the Manchester gay scene. The alcoholism, the drug problems, HIV, the calling in sick to work, the tiredness, the loneliness, the bleakness of multiple one-night-stands. I do understand though that the show is meant to be a celebration through, not a gritty drama. It's a fantasy that has its roots in reality. I live in London now. I must admit I do feel very nostalgic about the 90’s and 00’s days of the Manchester village when it was more of a ‘community’. That culture feels a bit dissolved now, for want of a better word. Anyway, the show was fabulous. Great storyline and great acting. Leaves you feeling nostalgic, happy, sad, inspired. Thank you Russel Davies for changing my life!

[@maiafloor633]

I did not live in those times but I'm glad my thoughts that the show omitted some stuff have bee validated. I definitely think it was highlighted here and there that there was toxicity but not really showing the the underlying issues and more. Overall I did think there was moments in which it felt glamourised.

[@smurfette_blues7922]

I really appreciate his defense of nathan as a character and how all that mattered to him about writing him was that he was believable. Him and heck the rest of the characters feel like people i could very well meet.

[@kaytsippy1981]

Watching this at 16 was everything to me! Re-watching it at 41 and loving it all over again. I'm glad he fought to keep it as dark as reality is because heck fire, there was a lot of trauma on Canal Street! Alongside the love and solidarity!

[@Irishgui83]

I was 15 and used to watch this and Sex and the City in my room on my portable TV with the volume as close to mute as possible, and my head as close to the screen as possible to hear what was being said. Looking back, it made it all more exciting lol

[@laurabourne7512]

I was there and asked a question- although very happy that they have edited them out as I’m sure I sounded like a hysterical fishwife when it was my turn with the microphone! Amazing evening and amazing Q and A- we even got to meet Russell and Craig afterwards who were both so gracious to us fans. Wonderful evening. Thanks BFI!

[@bryankinney1]

hi, where was this exactly? I guess stuart never showed up haha...

[@spamvicious]

I watched this as a 15/16 year old girl. Only one other girl in knew watched it and we would chat about it at school the next day. I really love this but it’s a shame that Aidan and Charlie aren’t really discussed.

[@Andi-xp7de]

I was 16 years old too... QaF saved many people in a time we couldn't openly share our journey in small towns, mainly

[@etude79]

I agree, I am from America and I prefer the original UK version of the show than the American version. Mainly because the UK version casts a lot of actors who aren’t based on looks it was their ability to act the characters and the part so it seemed very realistic and more relatable. Unlike the American version is very superficial, it was mostly based on looks and it wasn’t as diverse.

[@jrcs1347]

The UK version was much more authentic of that time

[@thecrazychick2000]

brilliant!!! obsessed with this series, so glad they did this

[@Christopher50now]

This show made me feel normal.

[@Budcat101]

definitely seminal beats USA version

[@laurabourne7512]

Budcat101 the US version was fine as a thing, but in comparison to the original it was a pale imitation.

[@lukeb247]

First saw this when I was about 13 or 14. It has stuck with me ever since

[@hyperballadbradx6486]

Brilliant bunch.

[@luckymogu42]

One of my favourite dramas!

[@lyfiatea]

"we don't all look back on the spanish flu, do we" hmm yeah life is better than drama

[@alextemple-matthews3400]

Really enjoyed this, I was 18 when it was broadcast and it had a huge effect on me. I remember listening to a radio phone-in the day after the first episode and the response was awful. We've moved on so much in the 20 years since then. However, the politics talk really was tedious. There is no evidence that hard won rights are about to be lost. Scaring people with false threats based on their own political ideology isn't helpful to anyone.

[@waynekelly6777]

Great programme, loved it.

[@thecinematicmind]

Quintessential

[@amyclarke41]

Russell is god

[@DeanMoxley87]

Where’s Adrian Not a fan of Anthony Cotton he’s vile

[@Irishgui83]

Nobody seems to like him. I've never heard anybody say anything positive about him. Which leads me to wonder how and why he has managed to become such a staple or Corrie. I haven't watched it in years, but never liked him in it - or in anything I've seen him in.

[@jreifsnyder2225]

Many of Trump supporters are gay - you cant believe what you hear in media

[@kevinfarrell523]

Yuk!

[@rationraw5017]

Nicolas Joy❤