Beta Female

Original version

BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Comedy: Sitcoms

Sitcom by Amna Saleem, starring Kiran Sonia Sawar.

Sitcom by Amna Saleem, starring Kiran Sonia Sawar. Like many women of her background and age, Amna wants her differences acknowledged but to be treated the same as everyone else.

The identity of Amna depends on who you are. To her fellow Glaswegians, she's a Londoner now, having lived there for three years. To Londoners, she's Scottish when they can only hear her, but Asian if they can see her. To Scots, she's Pakistani - but to Pakistanis, she's British. To employers, she's disposable. And to her white, English boyfriend, she's just Amna, as his white privilege means he doesn't have to think about all of that.

To her mum, of course, she's just "beta", the Urdu term for child.

Beta Female is a sitcom which hinges on Amna's desire to be all these things and more - to keep her Mum and Dad happy by allowing her to believe that she and her boyfriend don't live together, and to keep her boyfriend happy by getting a job and contributing to the rent. Like many women of her background and age, Amna wants to have her differences acknowledged but to be treated the same as everyone else. From work to love to family to social media, Amna walks a tightrope of identity.

Contrasting with her confusion are her little brother, Haris, and her sister, Sunnah, both of whom appear to have "picked a side" - Haris is a young Scottish slacker, and Sunnah is a Muslim wife and mother. Amna still finds herself wanting to be part of both worlds, and seeming to feel part of neither.

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Beta Female: Series 1: Episode 4

Episode 4

Series 1

BBC Radio 4 - Beta Female, Series 1, Episode 4

Sitcom by Amna Saleem, starring Kiran Sonia Sawar. Amna tries to cover up an unholy mistake from her mother, with her brother as an accomplice.

Beta Female is a semi-autobiographical sitcom by Amna Saleem, starring Kiran Sonia Sawar (Black Mirror, Pure) as Amna, a young woman trying to find her place in the world - in her work, in her relationships, and in her family.

The Zumzum Pani: Amna tries to cover up an unholy mistake from her mother, with her brother as an accomplice.

Amna ... Kiran Sonia Sawar
Harris ... Omar Raza
Mum ... Sudha Bhuchar
Dad... Bhakser Patel
Nora ... Evelyn Lockley

Written by Amna Saleem
Produced & directed by Ed Morrish

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Beta Female: Series 1

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

A new sitcom by Amna Saleem, starring Kiran Sonia Sawar.

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