Malala Yousufzai to feature in bolder, sillier new season of ‘We are Lady Parts’
“We Are Lady Parts,” the British comedy series centered around the all-women Muslim punk band Lady Parts, is set to make a return for its second season on Peacock, as reported by Deadline. Starting from May 30, viewers can enjoy all six new episodes on the streaming platform, with guest appearances this season including Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai and British comedian Meera Syal.
The series, created by Nida Manzoor, draws from her experiences within cultural collectives and artists’ communities in London. Anjana Vasan stars as the lead guitarist and PhD student Amina Hussain, alongside Sarah Kameela Impey, who portrays the fierce and enigmatic frontwoman Saira. The diverse cast also includes Juliette Motamed, Faith Omole, Lucie Shorthouse, Aiysha Hart, Zaqi Ismail, and Shobu Kapoor.
Initially, the pilot for “We Are Lady Parts” aired in 2018, followed by a full six-episode first season in 2021. Through its portrayal of the band members’ intricacies, the show delves into themes of friendship, familial responsibilities, and societal expectations placed on women.
Reflecting on the experience, creator Nida Manzoor expressed her gratitude, stating, “Making season one of We Are Lady Parts was immense for me.” She acknowledged the challenges faced during the process but also noted the personal growth and sense of belonging she discovered. “Most importantly, I found my tribe – from actors and crew to producers and studio execs,” she added.
With the groundwork laid in the first season, Nida Manzoor found working on the second season of her brainchild comparatively smoother. “Coming to season two, I was energized,” she shared. “The characters, the world, the tone – it was all established and ready to go. Now, it was time to turn things up to 11. I wanted to go bolder, sillier, darker, and deeper, and that is exactly what we aimed to do.”
Manzoor explained that the new season would delve into the inner lives of all the women on the show with greater depth. “Each of them faces new, existential challenges with all the humor, pratfalls, and banter of season one,” she elaborated. Tasked with creating more original music for the show, she added, “The music is also bigger – more wild original tunes (penned by me and my siblings) and, dare I say it, even better covers.”
Having constructed a world centered around the music industry, Manzoor illustrated that the show would tackle the question of what defines success. She expressed her excitement in finally being able to share her project with the world.
“For a punk band – is fame, stadium shows, and major record deals the answer?” she questioned. “I wanted to explore the uncomfortable tension between art and commerce and ask how much compromise is too much. I’m really proud of what we achieved and can’t wait to share it with old fans and new.”
All six episodes of the first season of “We Are Lady Parts” are available on Peacock. The show is produced by Working Title Television (WTTV), a part of Universal International Studios, which is a division of Universal Studio Group.