FULL MOVIE:
Review: Tipping the Velvet (2002)
Genre: Historical Drama / Romance / LGBTQ+
Tipping the Velvet, the BBC’s bold 2002 mini-series adaptation of Sarah Waters’ acclaimed novel, is a rich, provocative, and emotionally stirring journey through love, identity, and self-discovery in Victorian England. Directed by Geoffrey Sax, this three-part series broke boundaries with its candid portrayal of lesbian romance in a period setting—something rarely seen on television at the time.
The story follows Nancy Astley (played with luminous vulnerability by Rachael Stirling), a young woman from a seaside town who becomes infatuated with Kitty Butler (Keeley Hawes), a charismatic male impersonator on the music hall stage. What begins as a starry-eyed romance quickly evolves into a deeper exploration of Nancy’s journey through love, heartbreak, survival, and self-acceptance in a world that offers little protection for queer women.
The series captures the vibrancy of music halls, the harshness of London’s underbelly, and the hidden layers of Victorian society. It’s unabashedly sensual, but never gratuitous—every moment of intimacy feels earned, authentic, and deeply human. Stirling’s performance is magnetic, carrying the viewer through Nancy’s highs and lows with grace and strength. Hawes brings charm and inner conflict to Kitty, making their initial connection feel both electric and tragic.
What makes Tipping the Velvet truly groundbreaking is not just its representation, but its refusal to shy away from the emotional and physical reality of its protagonist’s world. It’s a rare period drama that centers lesbian love not as subtext, but as the heart of the narrative.
Beautifully shot, well-acted, and emotionally layered, Tipping the Velvet is a must-watch for fans of bold historical storytelling and queer cinema alike.
Did Nancy’s journey move you? Which part of her story resonated most with you? Drop your thoughts below!
