THE hit channel four comedy returned for a six episode second season. After having grown in popularity on the live circuit, the female Muslim punk band is ready to record their debut album.
They need finance or the backing of a major record label and must make difficult decisions professionally.
Meanwhile, each of them is dealing with different problems in their personal lives, including important decisions about faith, romance, friendship, family and for one of them, coming out as gay.
All of this combines with catchy musical numbers and finding comedy in unexpected places.
Season one’s main weakness was the lead protagonist being the least likeable, with not enough time dedicated to the undeniably greater band members, including its unique manager.
Writer/director Nida Manzoor rectifies this by delving more deeply into the other characters and introducing colourful new ones.
There are also compelling cameos led by Meera Syal playing an established pop star and Anil Desai as ace music producer Dirty Mahmood.
These strong performances elevate the existing material, which does rely a lot on stereotypes at times and predictable story troupes.
Juliette Motamed as the explosive drummer struggling with an emotional dilemma is outstanding and perhaps embodies the band’s soul best. Even though you never see her face, Lucie Shorthouse shines as the band’s manager Momtaz.
Sarah Kameela Impey as the lead singer and band founder has great screen presence but should have had more screentime. Faith Omole has an interesting sub-plot about a headscarf and an outstanding solo moment. There are also solid musical numbers that combine cool cover versions with great original songs like Malala Made Me Do It and the brilliant Glass Ceiling Feeling.
Although Nida Manzoor succeeds in delivering an entertaining second series, she misses multiple opportunities to lift it to a higher level. There are also a few missteps along the way, like wasting the presence of Malala Yousafzai and out of place moments that seemed shoe-horned in.
There should have been more songs and much of the punk elements are watered down. But that doesn’t stop this from being a solid second season that rolls around toward a great finale.
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