Seriously, if you haven’t sat down to marathon We Are Lady Parts episodes, you are missing out on the loudest, funniest, and most strangely moving half-hours of television produced in the last decade. It’s a riot. Created by Nida Manzoor, this show doesn't just "represent" a community; it kicks the door down with a Gibson Les Paul and a scream.
The show follows a group of Muslim women in London who form a punk band. That sounds like a logline written by a marketing executive trying to be edgy, right? But it isn’t. It’s grounded. It’s sweaty. It’s anxious.
The story centers on Amina, played by Anjana Vasan, who is a PhD student with a massive problem. She’s an incredible guitar player, but she gets such bad stage fright that she literally vomits or... well, let's just say her digestive system fails her. When she stumbles into an audition for Lady Parts—a band consisting of Saira, Bisma, Ayesha, and their manager Momtaz—everything changes.
What Makes These Episodes Actually Work
Most sitcoms take a few years to find their rhythm. Not this one. From the very first of the We Are Lady Parts episodes, the tone is locked in. It’s fast.
You’ve got Saira, the lead singer who works in a butcher shop and treats punk like a religion. Then there’s Ayesha, the drummer who drives an Uber and has zero patience for anyone’s nonsense. Bisma plays bass and draws a comic book called The Vagina Monologues (but with a twist), and Momtaz manages the whole chaotic mess from behind a niqab while vaping like a chimney.
The genius of the writing is how it handles the "Muslim" part of the identity. It’s not a burden. It’s just life. They argue about prayer times and halal meat with the same intensity they argue about a bridge in a song. It feels real because it's not trying to explain itself to a white audience. It just exists.
The Music is Actually Good
Let's be honest. Usually, when a TV show features a fictional band, the music is terrible. It’s generic pop-rock that sounds like it was written by a committee.
Nida Manzoor and her siblings actually wrote the songs for Lady Parts. They’re genuine punk anthems. "Voldemort Under My Headscarf" is a legitimate banger. "Bashir with the Good Beard" is hilarious but also a total earworm. When you watch the We Are Lady Parts episodes in Season 1, you realize the music is the dialogue. It expresses things these women can’t say in their daily lives.
👉 See also: Is Heroes and Villains Legit? What You Need to Know Before Buying
Season 2, which arrived after a long wait, takes the music even further. They deal with the "sophomore slump" and the reality of being a "token" band. It’s meta and brilliant.
Breaking Down the Season 1 Arc
The first season is basically a "getting the band together" story, but it’s stripped of all the clichés.
- "Lead Singer": We meet Amina. She’s looking for a husband, not a band. The juxtaposition of her singing folk songs about love and then being thrust into a basement with a woman screaming about systemic oppression is comedy gold.
- "Potential": The band realizes Amina is the missing piece. But she’s terrified. The episode explores the physical toll of anxiety in a way that’s painfully relatable.
- "Earthquaker": This is where things get messy. Amina starts living a double life. Her "proper" friends think she’s one person; the band knows she’s another.
- "Godzilla": Influencer culture gets a takedown. The band tries to go "pro," and it almost destroys their soul.
- "Spartacus": The fallout. Betrayal. It’s the low point every story needs, but it feels earned because the stakes are their friendship.
- "The Butt of the Joke": The finale. It’s triumphant without being cheesy.
Why Season 2 Changed Everything
When We Are Lady Parts episodes returned for a second season, the stakes shifted. They weren't just a local band anymore; they had a rival band called Second Wife.
Second Wife is a perfect foil. They are younger, sleeker, and more "marketable." They represent the commodification of identity. This season asks: Can you stay punk when people want to buy your "vibe" but not your message?
The episode "Malala Made Me Do It" is a standout. It features a cameo that I won't spoil, but it’s handled with such irreverence that it works. It’s not a "very special episode." It’s a chaotic fever dream.
The Nuance of the "Second Wife" Rivalry
In the second batch of We Are Lady Parts episodes, we see the band grappling with their own success—or lack thereof. They’re broke. They’re recording in a DIY studio. Meanwhile, Second Wife has a professional setup and a slick social media presence.
This creates a tension that most shows about artists ignore: the jealousy. Saira struggles with seeing a younger version of herself doing it "better" (or at least more successfully). It’s an honest look at the creative ego. It’s not just about the music; it’s about who gets to tell the story.
✨ Don't miss: Jack Blocker American Idol Journey: What Most People Get Wrong
The Supporting Characters
Don't sleep on the side plots. Amina’s parents are some of the best parents on television. They aren't the "strict, overbearing" stereotypes. They’re supportive, slightly weird, and genuinely love their daughter. Her mom’s reaction to finding out about the band is a highlight of the series.
Then there’s Ahsan, Ayesha’s brother. He’s the "roadie" and the object of Amina’s affection. Their chemistry is awkward and adorable, providing a soft counterpoint to the loud, aggressive energy of the rehearsals.
Technical Brilliance and Directing
Nida Manzoor’s direction is vibrant. The camera moves with the energy of a mosh pit. The color palette is bright—London has never looked so saturated and alive.
There’s a specific visual language in the We Are Lady Parts episodes. When Amina gets nervous, the world tilts. When the band is in sync, the editing picks up speed. It’s a masterclass in how to use visual grammar to enhance comedy.
One of the most striking things is the costume design. Momtaz’s niqab paired with designer sunglasses and a vape pen is an iconic silhouette. It challenges the viewer's preconceived notions about what a woman in a niqab "should" look like or act like. She’s the boss. Period.
Addressing the Critics and Controversies
Of course, a show like this is going to ruffle feathers. Some conservative viewers felt it was "too much" or didn't represent "true" religious values. On the other hand, some secular viewers might have missed the deep-seated respect the characters actually have for their faith.
The show sits in the middle. It’s uncomfortable for everyone, which is exactly where punk should be. It doesn't claim to represent every Muslim woman. It represents these five women.
🔗 Read more: Why American Beauty by the Grateful Dead is Still the Gold Standard of Americana
In an interview with The Guardian, Manzoor noted that she felt the weight of representation, but decided to ignore it to write something specific and messy. That was the right call. Specificity is what makes it universal.
The Cultural Impact of the Show
Since the release of the We Are Lady Parts episodes, there’s been a noticeable shift in how British Muslim stories are told. We’re moving away from the "trapped between two worlds" trope. These women aren't trapped. They are building their own world.
The show has won BAFTAs, and for good reason. It’s a technical achievement, but more importantly, it has soul. It’s about the joy of making something loud with your friends.
Practical Steps for New Viewers
If you’re ready to dive in, here is how you should approach it:
- Watch in Order: This isn't an anthology. The character growth from the pilot to the Season 2 finale is a massive part of the payoff.
- Listen to the Lyrics: Don't just treat the songs as background noise. The lyrics are where the best jokes—and the deepest insights—are hidden.
- Check out the Soundtrack: After you finish the episodes, find the music on Spotify or Apple Music. "Ain't No Sunshine" (the cover they do) is genuinely haunting.
- Look for the Easter Eggs: The background of Bisma’s house and Saira’s butcher shop are filled with little details that tell you more about their history than the dialogue ever could.
What's Next?
While fans are clamoring for a third season, the creators have been somewhat quiet. The good news is that the existing We Are Lady Parts episodes stand alone as a nearly perfect body of work.
If you finished the series and need more, look into Nida Manzoor’s film Polite Society. It carries the same DNA—martial arts, sisterhood, and a healthy dose of "what did I just watch?"
Ultimately, Lady Parts is a reminder that being yourself is a radical act. Sometimes you have to scream to be heard, and sometimes you just have to find the right people to scream with.
Actionable Insight for Fans:
To get the most out of your viewing experience, watch the "Making Of" featurettes often available on the streaming platforms (Channel 4 in the UK, Peacock in the US). Seeing the actors actually learn their instruments—Anjana Vasan is a real guitarist, but others had to learn from scratch—adds a layer of appreciation for the raw energy you see on screen. For those wanting to support the creators, purchasing the official soundtrack directly helps the musicians and writers who crafted the show's unique sound.