Butterfly episode 1 review: Anna Friel anchors admirable transgender drama

Butterfly episode 1 review: Anna Friel anchors admirable transgender drama

Butterfly is a landmark new drama, which doesnt always hit the right tone (Picture: ITV) Anna Friel..

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Butterfly is a landmark new drama, which doesnt always hit the right tone (Picture: ITV)

Anna Friel leads a landmark drama which explores a family coming to terms with their transgender child, in whats an admirable, if flawed first attempt for mainstream TV.

Written by Bafta-award winning playwright Tony Marchant, ITV drama Butterfly is a three-part series which follows the uneasy transition of 11-year-old Max (Callum Booth-Ford), who no longer identifies as a boy and instead wants to live life as Maxine.

This realisation, however, isnt something which has spawned overnight. Maxs estranged parents, Vicky (Anna Friel) and Stephen (Emmett J Scanlan), both believed his desire to dress in pink and wear earrings was a mere phase before puberty comes around. The situation has increasingly taken a toll on their marriage, with Stephen violently lashing out over Maxs feminine behaviour.

Anna Friel plays Vicky (Picture: ITV)

While Butterfly is partially about Max becoming Maxine, it more predominantly, and successfully, taps into how this issue affects the entire family. A standout scene between Vicky and Stephen as they bicker over the right way to handle Maxs feelings perfectly illustrates how their confusion has turned into anguish — unknowing of whether major steps, like delaying puberty through medication, is the right call for someone whos barely started secondary school.

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Its a difficult issue to communicate through a mainstream drama because the situation isnt as common, or relatable, as something more widespread like having a gay child (which is defiantly addressed here via baffled grandparents). It therefore falls to the struggles of the parents to become the shows understandable jumping-on point for many — which, through the excellent performances and thoughtful writing, is easily the biggest achievement here.

More: ITV

Butterfly, however, is less successful when it comes to connecting to Maxine herself. While theres touching moments, like explaining to her mum how she wants to feel like I belong in the right toilets at school, these are offset by extreme behaviour which feels like its prioritising shocks above all else. The sudden switch to Max deciding to cut himself, stopping her mum going on a date with another man, felt particularly ill-judged and cheap.

Its hard not to admire Butterfly (Picture: ITV)

Its also hard to connect when we rarely see Max enjoying private time to explore becoming Maxine. Aside from the occasional pose in the mirror and cut short Kylie Minogue dance, we arent shown a comfortable, fun Maxine where shes free to be her true identity. Maxs sister, Lily (Millie Gibson), however is far more likeable as the supporting sibling who helps celebrate Maxine on the playground, despite the smirks from school bullies.

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While Butterfly doesnt always hit the right notes, its undeniably a thoughtful and challenging drama of the likes which rarely hits mainstream TV. The remaining episodes will decide how the show will be remembered, but for now, this will be an important lifeline for many families and individuals experiencing the same issues.

Butterfly continues on ITV Sunday at 9pm.

MORE: What time is Butterfly on ITV and who is in the cast of the Anna Friel drama?

MORE: ITVs Butterfly will do for trans kids today what Anna Friels Brookside kiss did for me in the 90s

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