"Secret Diary of a Call Girl" (2007) TV series

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Creator:

Lucy Prebble

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

September 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Based on the popular diary of the anonymous sex worker known only as Belle de Jour.

Cast

Billie Piper	...	Belle / ... (16 episodes, 2007-2008)
Iddo Goldberg	...	Ben (15 episodes, 2007-2008)
Joanna Bobin	...	Jackie / ... (9 episodes, 2007-2008)
Cherie Lunghi	...	Stephanie (8 episodes, 2007-2008)
Callum Blue	...	Alex (8 episodes, 2007-2008)

Also Known As:

"Belle de Jour" (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min (including commercials) (8 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:MA | New Zealand:R18 | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Grand Union Canal, London, England, UK

Company:

Artist Rights Group (A.R.G)

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2007) (TV)

Soundtrack:

You Know I'm No Good

Belle, but without an edge.

I'm rather surprised to see that some of the previous commentators who have also read the book didn't find it somewhat disturbing that that the main character has been quite dramatically changed. Sure, it's a TV series that has to be "glossy" and seductive to attract an audience, and although I find Piper somewhat dull, a bit over-polished perhaps, I suppose she's doing alright.

What I find disappointing is that the book's raunchy, funny and extremely in-control woman has been transformed into a nice but flat Ann Summers girl. Take for example Belle's bisexuality (yes, the "real" Belle enjoys sex with women!), which is a recurring element in the book. In the TV series, she has to turn to the camera and reassure us that she's definitely NOT a lesbian, but she "will go gay for pay". And what's with the dilly-dallying with her "ex", Ben? I suppose this would be the book's "N". With whom she in the book has long discussions about anal sex and fisting, for example. The series' Ben doesn't even know what she does for a living.

The Belle of the series then is nowhere near the cool, funny, and sexually explosive Belle I've got to know through the book. What on the surface actually has potential as a sleek and sexy show, is really just an empty promise that even the naughtiest hooker is really a sweet and innocent girl. I agree with a previous commentator that it would have been interesting to have seen what Channel 4 could have done to evoke the true Belle.