Social media complicates that exchange further. Sasha is emboldened by the comments she receives for her racy content, and feels in control, but becomes addicted. In a haunting shot, her phone screen overlays her face, her identity increasingly defined by others.
Lecky also deals thoughtfully with race. The mixed-race Sasha is the odd one out in her white family, which, along with a hidden trauma, further distances her from her mum (a typically excellent Jessica Hynes). And once she begins escorting, she’s warned that black women are considered inferior and are more at risk.
It’s a fairly bleak watch, and Sasha is a challenging protagonist: aggressive, entitled, guarded. Thankfully, Lecky – who has a terrific voice – supplies two exciting original songs per episode so Sasha can express herself. They’re catchy, explosive, witty and raw, and use a range of genres, from rap, grime and gospel to a jazzy ballad. The standout is a searing ska number set in a dole office.
However, Lecky is sometimes bluntly didactic, such as when a famous influencer spells out all of her concerns about social media and celebrity. Conversely, a major revelation comes too late to properly unpack. And a cameo from Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall is an odd distraction.
But there’s a compelling authenticity to Lecky’s world which draws you in. This is exactly the kind of fresh voice that BBC Three should be championing – and why the channel’s return could yet be cause for celebration.
