'It’s A Sin': The Real-Life Jill
COURTESY OF CHANNEL 4
It’s almost impossible to pick a favourite character from the new Channel 4 show, It’s A Sin, which follows a group of friends living together in London during the rise of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Whether it’s the vibrant, vivacious Roscoe or the gorgeously sensitive Colin, as a viewer, we are spoilt for choice. However one character that seemed to gain extra special praise was the role of Jill, played by Lydia West. Not only was Jill capturing people’s hearts but with #BeMoreJill trending on Twitter every week, her character has now been held up as a figurehead of kindness, empathy and generosity.
‘It’s a show about death, and terrible things happening to young people and I wanted to show the lives being lived. It’s not death as the full stop, you want to fill out the sentence that leads up to it.’ - Russell T. Davies on Pilot TV Podcast.
Since the show aired in January it has had nearly 19 million viewers, is now being aired in the US and has increased HIV testing significantly. Writer and executive producer, Russell T. Davies refers to the show as a love letter to those lives lost to HIV and AIDs and has been very open about the inspiration for the characters coming from people in his life. Jill Baxter, for example, is based on Russell’s great childhood friend, Jill Nalder, (who plays Jill Baxter’s mother in the show!) who is every part as wonderful as the character she inspired.
Heavily based on the work she did during this time, the series shows her working tirelessly into the night arming herself with knowledge of the virus, delivering food packages to friends that were silently suffering in shame and making countless hospital visits to friends and strangers alike to provide care, support and company. We were lucky enough to speak with the real Jill Nalder who told us about the original Pink Palace, the importance of the show and what she thinks it means to #BeMoreJill.
How was the experience of watching the series back? Was it sad?
Watching the series back was, as you say, both surreal and sad. It was surreal because there were things that I really recognised but you are looking at it all from the outside. There were moments where I thought Russell was so creative and clever because he is a great writer. He made some things seem so powerful in a way because it was all so fast moving. Definitely all the boys had fun but they didn't get lucky every night ! To us at the time it was just our lives and we were living it to the full. It was very sad to relive the progression of AIDS through our world and to be thinking about those that died and seeing the portrayal in many ways so true.
What struck a chord with me was how little my knowledge surrounding HIV/AIDS was. Do you think it's something that the younger generation should be taught it at schools?
Well the fact that so little seems to be known about it, has truly surprised us all. I think as part of sex and relationship lessons in school there should be a discussion about AIDS. It is part of our history and many people in the world still face the illness and stigma with no treatment.
Was the Pink Palace as glorious as it seems on TV?
To us ‘The Pink Palace’ was just as glorious as it seems on TV!!! We were so lucky to have that flat. It was full of fun and we honestly loved it. It wasn't quite as big though!
You play Jill's mother in the show, which was so lovely to realise. How was it working with such a wonderful cast of young actors?
I love that you ask me about the young actors because they were all a joy ! So talented and generous. They all got on brilliantly and I think that shines through.
JILL & JILL
Jill Nalder (right) next to Lydia West, who plays Jill Baxter.
The show ends after Richie's death. We'd love to know what you got up to with the rest of your life.
Well I am an actress but also have a company, set up with some other cast members from Les Miserables. It is called WestEnders and we tour concerts ... musical theatre staged concerts. We have truly travelled the world (we are all great friends) and have worked together for more than fifteen years. We have been very lucky!
You’ve raised £14 Million for the HIV community through Theatre MAD. Can you tell us about the incredible work that Theatre MAD do?
Theatre MAD started with myself and a small group of us from various shows, copying the Broadway idea: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.. We called ours West End Cares for more than a decade. We raised money to help the cause with late night cabarets and midnight matinees, themed nights, party nights, walks, raffles, auctions, bucket collections etc -- an endless list of ideas. West End performers and the theatre profession in my opinion were incredible in their energy to care and support. We have raised millions.
Following on from this, can you describe the hedonism that engulfed London in the 80’s before the virus hit?
I think it was hedonistic because we were young and free and right in the middle of a great city. It was all happening in bars and clubs and theatre was a really exciting place to be breaking into! I think we thought London was the centre of the Universe…
It sounds heavenly. This came across beautifully on screen, backed by a brilliant soundtrack. What songs take you right back to that time?
I like this question because there are loads of great dance songs… but I am going to go for It's Raining Men by The Weather Girls or maybe Thriller !
#BeMoreJill started trending on twitter, how does that feel? In terms of the show, what do you think it means to be more Jill?
The hashtag has amazed me, I couldn't believe it. I have not always been very busy on social media! I kept getting messages with pictures and hashtags and handbags and even cushions ! I think in terms of the show it means be caring and tolerant, have fun, love all the camp humour and be prepared to fight for those you love.
I would love to know what you think specifically needs to be focused on now in the contemporary LGBTQ+ movement?
I think what needs focusing on now in LGBTQ+ is tolerance and acceptance. Complete equality for all. AIDS/HIV testing is important because now it's easy and life expectancy is normal. The other important thing is eradication; both of the disease and the stigma. There is still a stigma, even today. Not everyone feels they can speak the truth about a positive diagnosis.
What do you listen to on the Last Bus home?
I know in my ear phones I will be listening to Hamilton... literally my favourite music right now !
COURTESY OF CHANNEL 4
I can’t implore you to go and watch the series enough. Not only did I cry, laugh sing and dance my way through it all but I also learnt an immense amount. For something so recent, my lack of knowledge surrounding the the HIV/AIDS epidemic astounded me. Up until now I’d been content with my sprinkle of knowledge of a disease that ‘no longer is a death sentence’, therefore in my head was no longer a thing. HIV doesn’t only affect gay men? Medication? Kaposi Sarcoma? Never heard of it.
The secrecy that surrounded the illness resulted in an immense lack of knowledge and resources which has resonated with people watching at home, especially in our COVID-chamber, the fear and illogical responses to the emergence of a new illness seem especially relevant now. Watching people simply sweating, dancing, loving and living life had a much more profound effect on us all than it would if it had been released a year earlier. This is a series for now, as much as ever.
Whether you want to learn more about AIDS, be dazzled by a cast of fantastic young actors or just embrace COVID’s wet dream of disco clubs and prance around your bedroom daydreaming about human connection and proximity, head over to Channel 4 now.
