Queenie is an uplifting story of a young woman. Living in London, Queenie Jenkins is a 25-year-old woman of Jamaican British heritage, finding herself caught between two cultures and not completely belonging to either.
While residing in this multi-ethnic and multicultural metropolitan city of the UK, Queenie (Dionne Brown) is trying hard to fit in, besides finding her joy and self-worth. It is based on the “Queenie” novel by Candice Carty-Williams.
“Welcome to this insight of what Queenie is thinking, and why. Writing this novel kind of felt easy in ways because so many of the ways that me and my Black female friends think, and our experiences, came pouring out. In a way, writing it was a cathartic, often painful, often funny journey, and it’s my pleasure to show you some of the ways that I think, and how being a Black woman has shaped me, and in turn, Queenie. Though, we are very different people. Please remember that, I beg of you.“
Candice Carty-Williams – the author of Queenie | Goodreads
‘Queenie’ Is A Touching Feminine Tale About Knotty Relationships
Trailer: Queenie (Season 1/2024) Series
Spoiler Free Review: Queenie (Season 1/2024) Series
The storyline/plotline/synopsis/summary
Queenie Jenkins, a young Jamaican Black woman, is employed at a Daily Reader. In her professional as well as personal life, she is consistently pressured to compare herself to her white middle-class peers. After a tumultuous breakup with her long-term white boyfriend, she seeks comfort in all the wrong places, including several hazardous men who occupy her thoughts but fail to affirm her self-worth. As she navigates from one dubious choice to another, she begins to question various complicated life decisions that she has made in her life – all of the questions that today’s woman must grapple with in a world trying to provide the answers for her.
We liked this dramatic tale told from a strong black woman’s perspectives
The protagonist is a Black Jamaican woman living in a predominantly white society in Britain. She is an opinionated and strong-willed young lady. Therefore, it was fascinating to see a powerful woman’s perspectives onscreen. Queenie articulated the Blacks’ point of view of Blacks smartly, while she grappled with racial and feminine issues in this contemporary dramatic tale. Also, this show cleverly delves into the kind of (peer, family, societal, & cultural) pressure being applied to present-day women, in London.
Moreover, we witness young Black adult women like her facing important issues in their personal and professional lives in this perceptive tale. To elaborate further, it also delves into intricate matters like – love, friendship, broken family, peer pressure, complicated relationships, mental health concerns, etc. So, in a way, this series compels its viewers to undertake an emotional rollercoaster ride into the complex life of the principal character.
Actress Dionne Brown has portrayed Queenie poignantly
The troubled character of the protagonist was a demanding role, and the actress Dionne Brown portrayed her poignantly. In her short journey in a young life, she found a way to learn about managing convoluted relationships. Despite so many problems in life, her optimistic outlook towards life did not change a bit. As the phrase goes, improvement begins with the ‘I’. And this is how a brave heroine rebuilds her life again. Her character arc is great – from heartbreak to finding new meaning and joy in life.
We last saw actress Dionne Brown playing the role of DC Chloe Summers in the Criminal Record (2024) series.
We also enjoyed watching its ensemble cast comprising – Bellah (Kyazike Mayagenda), Samuel Adewunmi (Frank Ssebendeke II), Tilly Keeper (Darcy Pike), Llewella Gideon (Grandmother Veronica), Joseph Marcell (Grandfather Wilfred), Michelle Greenidge (Maggie Jenkins), Cristale De’Abreu (Diana Jenkins), etc. Then, we also learned about Jamaican culture. And how Jamaican people are still caught between two diverse cultures in Britain.
Incidently, this show also reminded us of famous Jamaican cricketers whom we always admired, allow us to name a few - Michael Holding, Chris Gayle, Courtney Walsh, Jeffrey Dujon, etc.
The conclusion
Just like the famous Jamaican cricketers named above, this Jamaican series entertained us immensely. We loved the positive ending of season 1 of the series. Now we hope to see more of Queenie (Dionne Brown), please.
Rating: Queenie (Season 1/2024) Series
| FM Rating | 3.55/5 |
Poster: Queenie (Season 1/2024) Series
Key Details: Queenie (Season 1/2024) Series
| Genre | Drama |
| Original Language | English (UK) |
| Season | First (1st) Season |
| Episodes | Eight (8) Episodes |
| Creator | Candice Carty-Williams (This series is based on her novel) |
| Writers | Candice Carty-Williams, Natasha Brown, Ryan Calais Cameron, Yolanda Mercy & Thara Popoola |
| Directors | Joelle Mae David & Makalla McPherson |
| Cast | Dionne Brown (Queenie Jenkins), Bellah (Kyazike Mayagenda), Samuel Adewunmi (Frank Ssebendeke II), Tilly Keeper (Darcy Pike), Llewella Gideon (Grandmother Veronica), Joseph Marcell (Grandfather Wilfred), Michelle Greenidge (Maggie Jenkins), Cristale De’Abreu (Diana Jenkins), Elisha Applebaum (Cassandra Stone), Ayesha Antoine (Sylvie Jenkins), Nyah Majaliwa (Young Queenie), Tom Forbes (Ted Noman), Sally Phillips (Gina Hargadon), etc. |
| Network | Hulu, Disney+Hotstar |
Spoilers Alert: Summary of 8 Episodes
Summary of Eight (8) Episodes of the Season (1) One
The Prodigal Granddaughter Returns (S1, E1) – 24 minutes
Queenie is left shell-shocked when her long-term boyfriend Tom tells her they need a break.
Clean Break, Queenie (S1, E2) – 24 minutes
Queenie puts on a brave face as she moves into her new house share, but when the realization dawns that Tom isn’t coming back soon, she takes steps to numb her loneliness.
From Virgin to Vixen (S1, E3) – 24 minutes
Queenie is in peak fun mode, using men to distract from her heartbreak, but as fun stops being so fun, Queenie’s demons begin to catch up with her.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (S1, E4) – 24 minutes
Queenie is forced to spend Christmas with her mum, which triggers feelings she’s been trying to suppress, and her escape to the office only leads her further down her path of self-sabotage.
New Year, Old Problems (S1, E5) – 24 minutes
A long line of rejection and betrayal brings Queenie to a breaking point as the past catches up with her.
She’s Royal (S1, E6) – 24 minutes
Queenie goes to therapy, and we learn about the true extent of her childhood trauma.
Happy Earthstrong! (S1, E7) – 24 minutes
It’s Queenie’s birthday, and as she starts to recognize her progress, she wonders if some hurdles with her mum are too big to overcome.
Love, Finally (S1, E8) – 25 minutes
As Queenie makes steps towards healing in a new flat of her own, she still has some difficult decisions about her future, and who she wants in it.
Poster and Featured Image of the Queenie (Season 1/2024) Series are courtesy of Hulu & Disney+Hotstar.