Watch Tipping the Velvet

The show Tipping the Velvet from Acorn Media is a British period drama adapted from the novel by Sarah Waters in 2002. The show follows the main character, Nan Astley (played by Rachael Stirling), a young girl from a working-class family in Whitstable, England. The show is set in the Victorian era, and follows Nan as she navigates her way through life, exploring her sexuality and the notion of gender fluidity in a society that was heavily invested in notions of gender roles.

Nan starts her journey as an oyster girl, selling oysters in the marketplace with her father. She is enchanted by the lifestyle of the theater performers she sees passing through town, and when she is invited to attend a performance by a performer named Kitty Butler (played by Keeley Hawes), she is immediately smitten. Nan is invited backstage after the show, where Kitty and Nan connect on a deep level. Kitty sees something in Nan and invites her to come along on her tour as a dresser.

The show follows Nan and Kitty's journey on the road, as they perform in small towns throughout the country. Nan is fascinated by the freedom that the performers have, as they are able to express themselves in a way that is not allowed in regular society. The two women quickly fall in love, and their relationship becomes the central focus of the show.

As the relationship between Nan and Kitty deepens, Nan is forced to come to terms with her own desires and the fact that she is not living the life that is expected of her. The show explores the themes of gender roles and societal expectations, as Nan is forced to confront the fact that her love for Kitty is not accepted by society.

The show also includes a number of other complex and interesting characters, including Diana Lethaby (played by Jodhi May), a wealthy woman who becomes infatuated with Nan after seeing her perform, and Florence Banner (played by Anna Chancellor), a successful auctioneer who also happens to be a lesbian. These characters offer a diverse array of perspectives on the themes of sexuality and gender that are explored throughout the show.

Overall, Tipping the Velvet is a compelling and thought-provoking drama that explores themes of sexuality and gender in a way that was groundbreaking for its time. The performances are outstanding, particularly the chemistry between Stirling and Hawes, and the show is beautifully shot and captures the essence of the Victorian era. The show is a timeless exploration of the human condition and the complexities of love, desire, and societal expectations.

Tipping the Velvet is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between October 2, 2002 and on Acorn Media